NEW GOVERNMENT SPARKS FEAR AMONG MARRIAGE SUPPORTERS

News

Sir Keir Starmer has been in office less than two weeks and the evident shift in support for LGBT ideology amongst senior Government figures is already sparking concern from real marriage supporters and more widely.

The last Government’s crackdown on rainbow lanyards in the civil service has already been dropped, according to i. Whitehall diversity and objectivity guidance is also being reviewed.

Now, a group of church leaders representing more than 1,300 churches has written to the Prime Minister warning that Labour’s proposed conversion therapy laws could criminalise them as they put into practice their teaching on marriage.

In its manifesto, Labour promised to introduce “a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices”. The church leaders warn this risks “legislating away” basic Christian practices, including prayer and pastoral care, as traditional Christian teachings are unfairly conflated with abusive practices.

“Campaigners often imply that expressing mainstream, traditional Christian beliefs on sexuality or gender identity in pastoral conversations is, inherently, a form of ‘conversion therapy’,” the letter reads.

The letter offers to help the Government understand traditional Christian teaching on marriage and distinguish it from abusive behaviours.

Separately, secular campaign group Sex Matters has written to the PM to urge him to resist calls for “speedy action”, warning that any changes in the law must be approached “with the utmost caution”.

Campaigners are hopeful that the Government may be open to listening. Labour’s election manifesto also pledged to protect “the freedom for people to explore their sexual orientation and gender identity”. Earlier in the year, then-Shadow Equalities Minister Anneliese Dodds stated that “any ban must not cover legitimate psychological support and treatment”.

She also said any new legislation in this area must not criminalise “non-directive” pastoral relationships between “religious leaders and their worshippers” or “discussions within families”.

The last Government was clear that abusive ‘conversion practices’ are already illegal in the UK and no further legislation is required. C4M backs this view. However, if there is to be new legislation, it is essential that it in no way impinges on the right to believe and express support for real marriage – a right protected by equality law and human rights law.

Life-long marriage between a man and a woman is the foundation of a flourishing society. It must not become a crime to defend it.