Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown, attended a Westminster Hall debate on gay to straight conversion therapy in the UK last week.
Gay to straight conversion therapy refers to the attempt to alter the sexuality of gay, lesbian or bisexual (LGB) people through supposed psychiatric treatment.
Simon joined fellow MPs in speaking out against the appalling practise.
A report in 2009 revealed that of 1,300 British psychiatrists surveyed, 200 had attempted to change at least one person’s sexuality.
Simon said: “Gay to straight conversion therapy carries the deeply offensive implication that homosexuality is an illness, and has the potential to do a great deal of psychological harm, particularly to young gay people.
“I am very proud to represent a tolerant and diverse constituency in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, which is home to a large LGBT community. I know the concept of gay conversion would be completely unacceptable to my constituents and I welcome the strong condemnation of it by the Minister today.
“This Government has a fantastic LGBT rights record, of which I am very proud. I assure constituents that I will support efforts to eradicate gay conversion therapy in the UK.”
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