LGBT+ billboard campaign warns of conversion therapy ‘abuse’

An LGBT+ charity has launched a billboard campaign on Valentine’s Day warning against the harms posed by conversion therapy.

The Equality Network said the practice is “abusive” and does not work.

Conversion therapy aims to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The practice is currently legal in Scotland but a ban has been backed by Holyrood’s equalities committee and the Scottish Government has committed to ending the practice. It is currently considering the findings of a consultation on the issue.

Some have raised concerns about the Government’s conversion therapy plans and how they could impact parenting and the pastoral care offered by religious leaders.

The Equalities Network says its campaign will be shown across billboards in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

The billboards show a broken heart with an arrow through, with text reading: “Roses are red, violets are blue.

“Do what you’re told, and don’t be you.”

It adds: “LGBT+ conversion practices are abuse.”

The charity is encouraging members of the public who see the billboard to share images of it online to spread awareness of the campaign.

There will also be a van spreading the message driving around Edinburgh, it said.

Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy, chief executive of the Equality Network, said: “Conversion practices are abuse. This Valentine’s Day we wanted to raise awareness of the harmful practices still being used today to suppress, change or inhibit who someone is, who they are and who they can love.

“Not everyone is free to love on Valentine’s Day and we want to make that clear.

“We need to see an end to conversion practices in Scotland and we need to see it as soon as possible.

“These harmful practices still happen across a variety of spaces and in many guises across Scotland and they cause significant mental and physical harm.

“They also perpetuate the notion that to be LGBTI+ is something that is wrong and that must be fixed.

“Scotland must move forward with ending these practices, so that all lesbian, gay, bi, asexual, trans and non-binary people in Scotland can be free to live their lives without fear, shame, or being subject to what, in some cases, amounts to torture.

“Everyone in Scotland should be free to express their love on Valentine’s Day, and every other day. This is currently not the case – and that needs to change.”

Equalities minister Kaukab Stewart said: “We are committed to ending conversion practices in Scotland and we fully support the Equality Network’s awareness-raising campaign.

“No-one should be subjected to harm because of who they are or who they love.”