THE Government has ditched a global equalities conference after it was humiliated by huge backlash to trans conversion therapy escaping a ban under new plans, according to reports.
Safe to Be Me was intended to be the largest conference of its kind ever to take place in Britain, bringing together LGBT campaigners and organisations from across the world but has now reportedly been scrapped.
Boris Johnson has decided to pull the event after a series of protests which have cause significant embarrassment to the Government, i news reports.
READ MORE: Safe To Be Me dealt blow as Stonewall leads mass exodus from event
Equalities Minister Liz Truss (below) is said to be signing off the decision upon her return from Poland.
It comes after a senior LGBT adviser to the Government quit in protest over plans not to include trans conversion therapy in a ban to protect gay people from the practice.
Iain Anderson, the Government’s LGBT business champion, stepped down from his role with the Gender Equalities Office over the U-turn.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Anderson wrote: “So many LGBT people continue to face violence and discrimination but politics which creates dividing lines between LGB people and trans people will never be my approach.
It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be @GEOgovuk #LGBT Business Champion. Sadly today I have resigned from that role. My letter to @BorisJohnson here 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ pic.twitter.com/JTrd0yAZBB
— Iain Anderson (@iain_w_anderson) April 5, 2022
"Now - more than ever - we need tolerance and respect."
And nearly 90 groups scheduled to take part in the conference pulled out on Monday saying: “That the Prime Minister would so casually walk away from four years of promises to the LGBTQ+ community is appalling.”
The move was led by Stonewall – the UK’s largest queer organisation – and involved 89 groups which co-signed a letter blasting Johnson.
The letter read: It continued: “We recognise that in response to outrage from the LGBTQ+ community and our allies, the Prime Minister’s position has shifted. He now proposes a partial ban, one that protects lesbian, gay and bi cis people, but leaves trans people, including trans children, at continued risk of abuse.
READ MORE: UK Government LGBT adviser quits after trans conversion therapy U-turn
“This is out of step with every other nation that has recently introduced a ban conversion therapy, and ignores all credible international research that is available, including the position of the UN Independent Expert.”
The Government had plans to ban conversion therapy which claims change people’s sexuality or gender identity – but has faced criticism for only including conversion practices targeted at gay people and not trans people.
Original plans had included trans conversion therapy but these were dropped, prompting criticism from the UK’s first trans MP Jamie Wallis.
Conversion therapy is described by opponents as deeply traumatic for those subject to it.
Truss is reportedly "furious" with the Prime Minister for abandoning trans protections from the Government's plans.
Safe To Be Me was intended to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first London Pride march.
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