Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:33 pm on 1 February 2022.
Can I thank Joyce Watson, not just for her contribution today, but her contribution and long track record of being a steadfast ally to the LGBTQ+ community in Wales and beyond? No, we can't do it on our own, we need those allies as well, and I very much appreciate everything that Joyce has done in this place and beyond as well.
There's very little I could disagree with in terms of what Joyce said there. I completely share the concerns around how far the conversion therapy ban, as is proposed in the consultation, is going. As I said to Sioned Williams, this is a point that we have made to the UK Government, and we'll continue to press and to look at what we can do within Wales within our existing powers, should we actually need to press for further powers to do the right thing by the LGBTQ+ community in Wales. Because you're absolutely right about the concern around the fact that you can't consent to abuse. We're very concerned about the kind of coercive nature of conversion therapy as well and the impact it has on somebody's life, their physical and mental well-being. That cannot be underestimated.
I very much share your concerns around the position—I think it was in a statement that the Minister for Social Justice put out—with regard to how LGBTQ+ asylum seekers are treated. It's not just in terms of being able to be assessed at that first point; actually, we've been working very closely with organisations in Wales as well about actually making sure that LGBTQ+ asylum seekers are in appropriate accommodation when they come here as well. That is another concern. So, we're working very closely with organisations such as Glitter Cymru to see how we can use the devolved levers that we do have here to make sure that LGBTQ people are protected and feel safe here in Wales.
Perhaps I could end on a slightly more positive note. I welcome the comments Joyce Watson made around continuing the equality and inclusion programme, and we also hope to bring in our pride fund as well. That's not just about supporting events, but it's actually supporting LGBTQ work in communities right across the country.