What Would the Conversion Practices Bill Mean for Trans People?

In June 2026, the Government published the draft Conversion Practices Bill. This isn't law yet, but proposes new measures to prohibit abusive conversion practices in England and Wales.[1]

The ban has been proposed because there are currently gaps in existing criminal law, leaving LGBTQIA+ people at risk. The draft Bill aims to address these gaps by specifically targeting abusive conversion practices. It explicitly covers transgender identity, as well as sexual orientation.[2] However, it is important to consider how far the protections will extend in practice.

What is the Bill proposing?

The Bill defines a conversion practice as conduct intended to cause someone to have or not to have, or believe

that they have or do not have, a particular sexual orientation or a transgender identity. When determining

whether conduct is abusive, courts may consider factors such as threatening, controlling or coercive words or

actions, as well as economic pressure and psychological and emotional pressure. But not all conversion practices

would be criminalised. Instead, an offence is committed when the conduct is abusive, resulting in harm. There is

a high threshold for harm, requiring either serious mental or physical harm, or serious alarm or distress which

significantly affects somebody's day-to-day activities. If someone is convicted of this, they could be given a

fine, up to 5 years in prison, or both.[3]

One issue is that there is a relatively high threshold to be crossed in order to establish criminal liability. Whilst

this helps to distinguish genuine conversations about sexuality and gender identity from abusive practices, some

harmful conversion practices may fall below the threshold. Therefore, the courts' interpretation of concepts such

as 'abusive' and 'serious harm' may have a significant effect on how much protection the Bill offers in practice.[4]

What's already illegal?

Existing law already prohibits certain conduct that may be used in conversion practices, including physical and

sexual violence. However, abusive conversion practices primarily using verbal or non-violent conduct may fall

below the threshold for existing offences. The draft Bill aims to address this gap by creating new criminal

offences for abusive conversion practices.[5]

There have also been concerns regarding potential restrictions that the Bill could introduce for religious

expression and freedom of speech. However, the Bill is not aiming to prevent people from holding or expressing

beliefs about gender identity and sexuality, or prevent genuine support for exploring identity.[6] Ultimately, the

intention is to target abusive, harmful conduct, rather than criminalising legitimate opinions or expression. This

helps to explain why the threshold for criminal liability is so high.

What are Protection Orders?

The draft Bill also aims to introduce Conversion Practice Protection Orders (CPPOs). These are court orders that

place restrictions or requirements to protect an individual from abusive conversion practices. Importantly, a

protection order can be made before an offence has occurred. This can act as a preventative measure for people

who are at risk of an abusive conversion practice, rather than requiring an offence before protection is

implemented. Applications for these orders can be made by individuals, police, or local authorities.[7]

However, preventative protection is only effective if the risk is identified. Somebody who experiences

conversion practices in a family or community setting may not realise that conduct is abusive, or feel able to

access support. Therefore, it will be especially important that police and local authorities can step in and apply

for a CPPO, for individuals who would struggle to seek protection themselves.

What happens next?

At the moment, the proposals are not law. The draft Bill is undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny, meaning

Parliament can discuss and examine it, before a final Bill is introduced. This could result in changes to the

proposals. A final Bill would then need to pass through Parliament, before receiving Royal Assent and

becoming law.[8]

Conclusion

So does the Bill provide meaningful protection for trans people? While it cannot prevent every harmful

conversion practice, the proposals would introduce important new protections. However, their practical

effectiveness will depend on how courts interpret the thresholds for criminal liability, as well as whether

preventative protections are accessible for those who need them.

Written by Charlie Smith (He/They)

Communications Officer

Bibliography

1. Draft Conversion Practices Bill, CP 1604 (2026); Government Equalities Office and Office for Equality and

Opportunity, 'Government Pushes Forward with Conversion Practices Ban to Protect LGBT+ People from

Abuse' (GOV.UK, 25 June 2026) accessed 24 August 2026.

2. Stonewall, 'Everything You Need to Know about Conversion Practices' (9 November 2021) accessed 26

August 2026; Draft Conversion Practices Bill, CP 1604 (2026).

3. Draft Conversion Practices Bill, CP 1604 (2026); Office for Equality and Opportunity, 'Explanatory Notes to

the Draft Conversion Practices Bill' (GOV.UK, updated 30 June 2026) accessed 24 August 2026.

4. Ilias Trispiotis and Stuart Goosey, 'Criminalising “Conversion Therapy”' (2026) 89(1) Modern Law Review

28.

5. Equality Act 2010; Government Equalities Office, 'Banning Conversion Therapy: Frequently Asked

Questions' (GOV.UK, 18 November 2021) accessed 25 August 2026; Office for Equality and Opportunity,

'Explanatory Notes to the Draft Conversion Practices Bill' (GOV.UK, updated 30 June 2026) accessed 24

August 2026.

6. Government Equalities Office, 'Banning Conversion Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions' (GOV.UK, 18

November 2021) accessed 25 August 2026; Office for Equality and Opportunity, 'Explanatory Notes to the

Draft Conversion Practices Bill' (GOV.UK, updated 30 June 2026) accessed 24 August 2026.

7. Draft Conversion Practices Bill, CP 1604 (2026); Office for Equality and Opportunity, 'Explanatory Notes to

the Draft Conversion Practices Bill' (GOV.UK, updated 30 June 2026) accessed 24 August 2026.

8. House of Commons, 'Draft Conversion Practices Bill' HC Deb 25 June 2026, vol 788, col 545; Cabinet

Office, 'Legislative Process: Taking a Bill through Parliament' (GOV.UK, 20 February 2013) accessed 27

August 2026; UK Parliament, 'Bill Stages' (MPs' Guide to Procedure) accessed 27 August 2026.