7. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Conversion Therapy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:05 pm on 26 April 2022.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Hannah Blythyn Hannah Blythyn Labour 5:05, 26 April 2022

Can I thank Hefin David for your kind and supportive words, and also thank you for speaking out and speaking up to defend not just your constituents, but the trans community in Wales? And you're right, a lot of these things, particularly on social media, are designed to divide. And I think we do have a responsibility, however hard it might be, to actually call that out and to challenge, in the best way we can, without amplifying that at the same time. So, I very much welcome your support and everything you're doing, particularly to support your own constituents, because I know we will all probably have stories of how difficult it has been for people and the pain that people have faced.

In the last couple of days, I've spoken to representatives of the trans community in Wales, and it really was quite awful listening to just the impact people's words have and the impact, the message it sends to exclude a group from a ban on conversion therapy, and people saying, 'Is it safe to be here anymore?', in the UK, and people, obviously, having concerns for their mental health. This isn't about, like I say, politics, it's about people and it's about doing the right thing by everybody. So, I very much do welcome Hefin David's support. 

And just, very briefly, on the LGBTQ+ action plan, I very much hope to be able to update the Senedd prior to the summer recess on that and our progress on it. But I think what we're doing today and the steps we're taking around working towards a ban on conversion therapy are very much part of that plan. I've always said from the outset that it's not just about the plan, it's about the action, all importantly, that makes a difference to people's lives, and I want to present that plan in a way where we can already demonstrate where those actions are being taken.