Conversion practices and where to get support
What are conversion practices?
Conversion practices try to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Being LGBTQ+ is not something that can or should be changed or suppressed. Nobody should have to hide who they are to be accepted.
Conversion practices do not work, and they can have a lifelong impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of those who are subjected to them. This can often lead to poor mental health, low self-esteem and difficulty forming relationships.
Conversion practices can take place in many different environments. This could include, but isn’t limited to at home, religious settings and health care settings. Where and what happens may look different depending on the situation, but conversion practices try to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
The 2018 National LGBT Survey identified that, in Scotland, 7% of ‘LGBT’ respondents had either undergone or been offered ‘conversion therapy’. Transgender people were targeted the most with 9% of transgender respondents in Scotland having been offered conversion therapy.
Groups most at risk of conversion practices, identified in the report published by the Expert Advisory Group on Ending Conversion Practices, include trans people and ethnic minorities. Children and young people are also particularly vulnerable.
Where to get support
In Scotland and the UK, many acts that would be considered as conversion practices are already criminalised, but not all aspects are.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing conversion practices or if you would like more information, the following organisations can support:
LGBT Health and Wellbeing have a dedicated support line where you can get support and information.
They are available by phone or livechat during their opening hours which are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (12-9pm) and Sundays (1-6pm)
- Phone: 0800 464 7000
- Livechat on the LGBT Health and Wellbeing website during opening hours
- You can also send them an email at: helpline@lgbthealth.org.uk
LGBT Youth Scotland offer support:
- LGBT Youth Scotland Live Chat Service: Monday 4pm-6pm, Tuesday 4pm-8pm, Wednesday 4pm-8pm, Thursday 4pm-8pm.
Childline Support for anyone under 19 years old and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Breathing Space provide free, confidential, phone service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
- Open Monday – Thursday 6pm – 2am and from 6pm on Friday to 6am on Monday.
- Call: 0800 83 85 87
GALOP has a National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence.
- Open Monday – Thursday 10am-8pm and Friday 10am-4pm.
- Call: 0800 999 5428
We also have a list of external mental health support organisations.
We know that colleges, universities and students’ associations across Scotland are doing great work to support LGBT+ students as part of their Student Mental Health Agreement work.
LGBT Health and Wellbeing have produced the below informative guide which may be helpful for anyone concerned about, or supporting, anyone affected by conversion practices. Download the guide below.
Ending conversion practices in Scotland
The Scottish Government is committed to ending conversion practices in Scotland. This includes taking action to legally ban conversion practices in Scotland, as well as putting in place other measures including education and support for survivors.
From January to April 2024, the Scottish Government ran a consultation asking for views on proposals for legislation to end conversion practices in Scotland.
The Scottish Government is currently considering the responses and will publish a response once this process has been completed.
