DIRECTORATE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND
COMMUNITIES
abcd
DLGC : Equality, Human Rights and Third Sector
[REDACTED]
Our Reference: 202000045017
11 June 2020
[REDACTED]
Thank you for your e-mail of 6 June 2020 addressed to the First Minister regarding the practice of
conversion therapy. I have been asked to respond.
Scotland is considered to be one of the most progressive countries in Europe regarding LGBTI
equality and has a very clear position on promoting LGBTI rights. I can confirm that the Scottish
Government does not support or advocate the practice of conversion therapy in the UK, regarding it
as unethical and potentially harmful as there is no place for this within Scotland. We are engaging
with the UK Government as they develop proposals to seek to ban this practice across the UK.
In addition, you will wish to be aware that the Memorandum of Understanding on Conversion
Therapy in the UK was signed by Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer and includes support from the
Department of Health in England plus a range of other professional bodies, such as the Royal
College of Psychotherapists, the UK Council of Psychotherapy and many more.
Yours sincerely
[REDACTED]
EHRTS : Equality Unit
Scottish Ministers, special advisers and the Permanent Secretary are covered by the terms of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016. See
www.lobbying.scot
St Andrew"s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG
www.gov.scot