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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:03 pm on 26 April 2022.

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Photo of Hefin David Hefin David Labour 5:03, 26 April 2022

I want to thank the Deputy Minister both for being an individual champion as a Member of the Senedd, but also in her role as Deputy Minister. The work that she's doing is exceptional, and, certainly, I want to put my name to it, and say, 'You represent me in what you're doing'.

I put on Twitter a couple of days ago an answer to a question. Something called the Wales Women's Rights Network asked me a question: 'What is a woman?' That question was being asked to create dividing lines, and it was being used to attack trans people. And I said in response:

'I've done casework for trans people who've faced incredible challenges in their lives.'

It really is heart-rending when you hear some of the stories that trans people have faced.

'They deserve much better than trite questions like this. Life is complex. Deal with it.'

The reason I said that in the way that I said it was because that question was clearly designed to divide, and you can bet that those people behind that question would support conversion therapy, which is unbelievable in this day and age. That's why I'm backing this today. So, in welcoming that, I'd also like to ask, then, in a linked question, when we might see an update on the Welsh Government's LGBTQ+ action plan? Will we see that shortly? Because I know the Minister's working on that too, which works nicely in parallel with this. But, thank you, for the work you're doing, Deputy Minister.