Scottish Lib Dems call for end to "Gay Conversion" Therapy

Liberal Youth Scotland proposed the motion

Scottish Liberal Democrats today backed a policy motion, "ending the Liberal Youth Scotland cruelty of gay conversion therapy". The motion seeks to end one of the cruellest, most damaging barriers still facing the LGBT community in Scotland. Shocking statistics have shown that one in six psychiatrists either have or if asked, would attempt to alter a patients sexuality.

The motion called for:

• A blanket ban on any attempt to alter an under 16's sexuality, whether consensual or otherwise.

• A ban on companies making profit on gay conversion therapy,

• A complete ban on medical professionals attempting to engage in gay conversion therapy.

University of Aberdeen Liberal Democrats president Euan Davidson, who proposed the motion said: "As a society we have to end the myth that to be LGBT is in some way to be ill. When we have such high rates of teen suicide and depression amongst the LGBT community we must do what we can to fight back against this cruelty. In Scotland we've led the way with the most progressive equal marriage legislation in the world, a policy where Scottish Liberal Democrats led the rest of the UK, we must continue the fight for equality."

Liberal Youth President Jenny Marr added: "The practice of gay conversion therapy should not be tolerated. Treating someone's sexuality as an illness is abhorrent and causes serious harm to vulnerable "patients". I want to see it come to an end once and for all."

Edinburgh University Liberal Democrat President Hannah Bettsworth added: "When I first heard about this heinous act I didn't realise it was that big a problem. However the fact that one in six psychiatrists in the UK would or have tried to change a patient's sexuality shows the extent of the challenge we face."