THE Holyrood equalities committee has backed a ban on LGBT+ conversion therapy in Scotland.

The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee released a report on the controversial practice on Tuesday after a petition made its way to the Scottish Parliament in August 2021.

And now, the committee has said that legislation proposed to ban conversion therapy or practicses must be full and comprehensive - and include any attempts to change a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

Conversion therapy is the practice of attempting to change an individual’s sexual orientation to heterosexual if they are homosexual or bisexual, or change their gender identity from transgender to cisgender using a number of interventions. This could be psychological, physical, or spiritual.

READ MORE: Willie Rennie's claim Nicola Sturgeon 'twisted' Covid stats is rubbished by watchdog

The report has been welcomed by LGBT activists and campaign groups who have urged the Scottish Government to bring in legislation.

The Committee’s report notes that current legislation is insufficient to stop the practice and that the Scottish Parliament should not wait to hear UK government proposals before pursuing Scotland-specific legislation.

The UK Government launched a consultation on conversion therapy in October last year.

It comes as the Christian Insititute has threatened the Scottish Parliament with legal action if it presses ahead with a ban on conversion therapy.

However, the report notes that the majority of religious organisaitons support a ban. The Committee also agreed that legislation should not restrict ordinary religious teaching or the right of people to take part in prayer or pastoral care to discuss, explore or come to terms with their identity in a non-judgmental and nondirective way.

The National:

The commitee has previously heard evidence from victims of conversion therapy

The report added that after hearing evidence of survivors of conversion therapy that: “Their faith is part of their identity and they have felt forced to choose between faith and their sexual orientation or gender identity which can have a devastating impact.

“The Committee believes it is vital to involve religious and community leaders as a Bill progresses, and that education and awareness is crucial to promote acceptance of diversity.”

The report continued: “The Committee is anxious to ensure that, in a similar way to legislation that exists to protect victims of domestic abuse or female genital mutilation, the definition makes it clear that consent to such practices can never be informed and should not be available as a defence to those undertaking conversion practices.”

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon announces changes to work from home rules in Scotland

The report was also welcomed by LGBT activists and groups.

End Conversion Therapy Scotland, who logged the petition, welcomed the report's conclusion that conversion practices are "abhorrent".

They said: "We are grateful to the Committee for setting out so clearly the case for a comprehensive and swift ban on Conversion Practices. We look forward to seeing the day when all LGBTQ+ people are allowed to be who they are, free from hate or persecution, and we hope that day is soon."

Stonewall Scotland added: "We warmly welcome the @SP_EHRCJ report on LGBT+ conversion therapy, which sets out that Scotland should introduce a fully comprehensive legal ban on conversion practices, with no loopholes for ‘consent’."

While the Scottish Greens added: "Today's report states that 'conversion practices are abhorrent and are not acceptable in Scotland. They should be banned'.

"We couldn't agree more. Last year we committed the Scottish Government to a comprehensive ban on conversion therapy, and that's what we'll deliver."

The National:

LGBT groups have welcomed the report and the call for a ban on conversion therapy

Committee member Karen Adam SNP MSP said: “The launch of this report is a monumental moment for the LGBTI+ community in Scotland.

“Conversion practices have done untold harm to so many LGBTI+ people and we owe it to each and every person who has ever endured this form of torture, to implement a full and comprehensive ban as soon as possible.

“A very small number of countries in the world have recognised how damaging conversion practices are on the safety and wellbeing of LGBTI+ people, however, Scotland has the opportunity to lead the world in displaying how this can and should be done.

“Taking evidence in preparation of this report clearly showed that an absolute ban on conversion practices is the only satisfactory outcome. Swift action on this issue is long overdue and Scotland must act quickly to implement a full and comprehensive ban.”

Committee convener Joe FitzPatrick MSP added: “These unacceptable conversion practices have gone on for far too long.

“It is clear from our scrutiny that it is happening in Scotland and existing legislation is not strong enough to prevent it.

“Nobody can consent to conversion practices. Any attempts to change someone’s gender or sexuality is wrong and that is why we believe that nothing less than a complete ban will suffice.

“There is therefore no time to waste and we must focus our efforts on Scotland specific legislation to end this practice. A swift, comprehensive ban will ensure no LGBTI+ person is subjected to the ordeal of conversion practices ever again.”

We previously told how the committee was told that “countless” LGBT people in Scotland have been affected by conversion therapy during a harrowing evidence session.