Exeter City Council opposes the harm caused to our LGBT+ community in the past through the denial of rights and equal treatment and further recognises that discrimination does still occur today.
This Council recognises and opposes the ongoing harm the practice of so-called conversion therapy brings to LGBT+ people.
This Council calls on the Government to follow through on the promises made, not just in this year's Queen's Speech, but for the past three years, to outlaw the practise of so-called conversion therapy.
This Council notes the Government consultation on this matter which concluded on the 10th of December 2021 and calls on the Government to introduce an effective ban on conversion therapy within England, supported by a programme of work to help tackle these practices in all their forms.
Furthermore this Council will highlight and promote the continued support, counselling and advocacy our local groups provide to members of the LGBT+ Community.
This Council recognises the excellent work done by local people and organisations to support the LGBT+ community here in Exeter, and extends it's thanks and support to them.
Minutes:
Councillor K. Mitchell, seconded by Councillor J Moore, moved a Notice of Motion in the following terms (he set out an amendment to the Motion in bold, in view of the extension by the Government of the consultation period, which had been announced after he had submitted the original Motion):-
“Exeter City Council opposes the harm caused to our LGBT+ community in the past through the denial of rights and equal treatment and further recognises that discrimination does still occur today.
This Council recognises and opposes the ongoing harm the practice of so-called conversion therapy brings to LGBT+ people.
This Council calls on the Government to follow through on the promises made, not just in this year's Queen's Speech, but for the past three years, to outlaw the practise of so-called conversion therapy.
This Council notes the ongoing Government consultation on this matter and calls on the Government to introduce an effective ban on conversion therapy within England, supported by a programme of work to help tackle these practices in all their forms.
Furthermore this Council will highlight and promote the continued support, counselling and advocacy our local groups provide to members of the LGBT+ Community.
This Council recognises the excellent work done by local people and organisations to support the LGBT+ community here in Exeter, and extends its thanks and support to them.”
In presenting his Motion, Councillor K. Mitchell, as a co-leader of an opposition group, hoped that the Motion would have cross party support. He highlighted that he had been fortunate to have had strong support from his family in respect of his sexuality, but he was aware that many were not so fortunate. He referred to a national LGBT+ survey, where one in 20 respondents had been pressurised into undertaking conversion therapy. This figure was higher in the 18 to 24 year old age group, and in respect of the Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) community and disabled individuals. One in five Trans people had also been pressurised. He stated that being a member of the LGBT+ community was not an illness and did not need a cure and that this harmful practice should cease. Exeter was a tolerant city, which welcomed diversity and embraced individuality.
Councillor Hannaford, in supporting the Motion, welcomed the opportunity to lobby for this much needed change. He stated that many LGBT+ people felt lonely, isolated and pressurised to change and that supporting the Motion would show solidarity. He chaired Devon County Council’s Children’s Scrutiny Committee and it had become evident that during lockdown many LGBT+ people had felt isolated, particularly if they did not have a supportive family. He referred to the historical mistreatment of this group which was akin to torture and had included practices of electric shock treatment and poisoning. Most people’s gender identify was in place very early on in their lives, and a binary choice was not the only way that people could live their lives. It was important to foster and develop a culture and society that supports and respects diversity and to allow people to come to terms with their sexual identity.
Councillor Hannaford also referenced the additional biased discrimination of gay men and the BAME community and the legacy of the British Empire across the world, where there had previously been more tolerant systems in regard to different sexual identities. Equal age of consent had only been recognised in more recent times as had the recognition of the LGBT+ status within the Armed Forces. Despite the Council having Mayors and Lord Mayors for centuries, it was only a few years ago that he had become the Council’s first openly LGBT+ Lord Mayor in the city’s history. He was also pleased to note that there was a far more tolerant attitude to this issue amongst young people.
Councillor Ghusain, as Portfolio Holder for Communities and Culture, in supporting the Motion, referred to the Government’s proposal to introduce legislation to act on the practice of conversion therapy. She referred to the extension of the Government’s consultation to 4 February 2022, after which a draft bill would be prepared and also to the “Safe to Be Me: A Global Equality Conference”, which would take place in June 2022, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first official London Pride marches.
Councillor Morse, in supporting the Motion, referred to her conversations with her own teenage children and their friends, and would be disappointed to think that they would have to be persuaded or made to change in any way.
Councillor D. Moore, as a co-leader of an opposition group, thanked Councillor K. Mitchell for the Motion and for Councillor Ghusain for raising the issues around consultation. She hoped that this Motion could form part of a formal submission to the consultation and for the Government’s reply to be included on the Council’s web site.
Councillor Leadbetter, as the leader of an opposition group, stated that his group would be supporting the Motion.
Councillor J. Moore, in seconding the Motion, thanked Councillor K. Mitchell for bringing forward the Motion and for his and Councillor Hannaford’s explanation about how damaging conversion abuse can be.
Councillor K. Mitchell, in summarising, thanked Members for their comments and support. He added that, whilst Councillor Hannaford had been the first openly gay Lord Mayor in the city, he said that he had been the first openly gay Deputy Lord Mayor, and also to have his husband as his consort. He commended the Motion to Council.
The Notice of Motion was put to the vote and CARRIED unanimously, the views of this Council would be submitted in response to the consultation.