Child Gender Treatment Motion Rejected

Regrettably, our motion was not selected for debate at Autumn Conference.

We were not surprised by the rejection, but we found the rationale astonishing. The email said,

In other words, it is claimed by FCC that:

• There is no risk that a child who might otherwise grow up gay or lesbian could be misdiagnosed as transgender and prescribed medication accordingly. 

• The proposed Conversion Practices bill poses no risks 

• Any “treatment other than the ‘gender affirmative’ model” necessarily amounts to conversion therapy 

These claims are extraordinary, considering all we know about the sexual orientation profile of desisters and detransitioners, as well as the fact that the Conversion Practices bill has not even been seen yet, and the fact that advocates of a ban on “conversion practices” routinely claim that normal exploratory psychotherapy (therapies not the affirmative model) should not be banned. 

The reasons for not allowing a debate to take place were similarly staggering, ie:

• Because we already have policy on this subject (which was passed in a debate where opposition was not even allowed) then it is not possible to reconsider it, even where there is emerging evidence of harm

• Because some people might find it upsetting to see this topic debated, it should not therefore be debated

We are putting together an appeal, which will be submitted in September. We will also be approaching the Federal Policy Committee for their opinion.

We are leaving the petition open so any additional people who would like to register their support for a revised and more responsible policy in this area can still do so via the same form. Our blog post also contains all relevant links.

It is clear that Lib Dem policy in its current form brings the party into disrepute - no candidate should be put in the position of having to defend it on the doorstep. We will continue to fight for the party to recognise this.