rights
UK releases “historic & long overdue" bill to ban "abusive" LGBTQ+ conversion therapy
By Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation
· June 25, 2026
· 4 min read
The U.K. Government has published a draft of a bill to ban anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy. The bill, introduced to Parliament this morning, defines conversion therapy as "abusive practices that aim to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity," and focuses on physical and mental health
Key takeaway The 20-page draft of the Conversion Practices Bill prohibits the use of "abusive" methods like sexual speech, violent words or actions, coercion, as well as economic, psychological, or emotional pressure.
Why this matters
The UK's proposed ban on conversion therapy highlights the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights globally, with the US also grappling with similar issues. While some US states have enacted laws to prohibit conversion therapy, others continue to allow these practices, leaving a patchwork of protections across the country. The UK's draft bill, which focuses on physical and mental health care providers, may inform US advocacy efforts to address the unique harm caused by conversion therapy. The fact that existing UK laws already criminalize similar abuses, yet still leave LGBTQ+ individuals vulnerable, underscores the need for targeted legislation. As the UK's bill moves through Parliament, its progress may influence US policymakers and advocates pushing for federal protections against conversion therapy, potentially paving the way for more comprehensive and uniform safeguards for LGBTQ+ individuals nationwide. The National LGBTQ Task Force and other US organizations may closely watch the UK's legislative process, seeking lessons for their own advocacy efforts.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LGBTQ Nation . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: rights ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more LGBTQ News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering rights and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The U.K. Government has published a draft of a bill to ban anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy. The bill, introduced to Parliament this morning, defines conversion therapy as "abusive practices that aim to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity," and focuses on physical and mental health
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .