Transgender MSP Q Manivannan has been accused of attempting to 'criminalise' parents who discuss sex and gender with their children, in their first intervention at Holyrood. The controversial Scottish Green MSP has lodged a parliamentary motion demanding a legal ban on so-called conversion practices 'across all settings'.
Concerns Over Free Speech
Critics fear that the proposed legislation will gag worried parents, teachers, and therapists from talking to children about the uncertainty and upheaval of puberty. Conversion practices are usually thought of as bigoted attempts to 'fix' same-sex attraction. However, feminist campaigners For Women Scotland (FWS) warn that a sweeping ban could also stop responsible adults merely discussing with young people why they might be transgender.
Potential Consequences for Young People
This, in turn, could lock youngsters into an 'affirmative pathway' towards irreversible measures such as surgery. The Scottish Green manifesto backed a ban in all 'religious, informal, community, family-based and therapeutic' settings. Susan Smith of FWS said it could criminalise 'conversations at the dinner table'.
Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser added: 'This is a blatant attempt from this new Green MSP to silence anyone who has concerns about potential legislation on this subject.'
Motion Details
Manivannan's motion claimed there was a 'pressing need to end conversion practices in Scotland'. It said: 'Any change in legislation must be comprehensive and cover sexual orientation, including asexuality, and gender identity, across all settings.' It called on the Scottish Government to introduce a Bill within a year. The SNP manifesto only promises such a Bill if the UK Government fails to legislate on the issue.
Extreme Forms Already Banned
Ms Smith said extreme forms of conversion therapy, such as electric shocks, were already banned, and the risk was that 'talking therapy' would be next. She said: 'If it includes conversations around the dinner table that's incredibly concerning. You can't have people criminalised for conversations at home.'
Ms Smith added: 'I would be astonished if Q had encountered conversion therapy in Scotland, so I want to know what problem he thinks he's solving.' The Scottish Greens were asked for comment.
