{"id":40211,"date":"2022-05-03T12:33:49","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T11:33:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sheffieldwire.co.uk\/?p=40211"},"modified":"2022-05-03T12:33:49","modified_gmt":"2022-05-03T11:33:49","slug":"sheffield-stands-against-conversion-therapy-at-city-hall-protest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sheffieldwire.co.uk\/index.php\/2022\/05\/03\/sheffield-stands-against-conversion-therapy-at-city-hall-protest\/","title":{"rendered":"Sheffield stands against conversion therapy at City Hall protest"},"content":{"rendered":"

Around 200 protesters gathered in Sheffield City Centre on Saturday to protest against the UK government outlawing conversion therapy for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual people – but not Transgender people.<\/p>\n

The protest was organised by the Sheffield Against Conversion Therapy<\/a> group, and chants and speakers were heard from outside the City Hall between 11am-12pm.<\/p>\n

“The people united, will never be divided,” was a chant head on the day which echoed the sentiments of those standing up for trans rights.<\/p>\n

Blake May, 24, an attendee said: “It was the biggest protest I’ve ever seen in Sheffield. It’s great to see so many people standing up for the people that often aren’t given a voice.”<\/p>\n

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There was a sea of trans pride flags at the protest.<\/p><\/div>\n

Similar protests have taken place across the UK since the Government’s U-turn on the conversion therapy ban, in cities such as London, Norwich, and Manchester.<\/p>\n

The Government’s legislation will mean that therapy to attempt to change people’s sexuality will be outlawed, but practices to try to change people’s gender identity will not.<\/p>\n

Kelsey Bubb, 22, who also attended the protest said: “If the government can see the harm in conversion therapy for gay people, they need to acknowledge the harm it will cause for trans people.”<\/p>\n

She added that “it’s not a true ban when it excludes such a large community.”<\/p>\n

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In 2019 the government launched a public consultation on the 2004 Gender Recognition Act, where the public where asked to vote “for” or “against” making the procedure for gender self-identification easier, a process which is often exhausting and costly for trans people.<\/p>\n

Even though 70 percent of the public voted in favour of the reform, it was scrapped by the government.<\/p>\n

On 31 March, the government made a public announcement on conversion ban legislation, and despite years of campaigning and protest, the ban was scrapped.<\/p>\n

As a result of widespread backlash by outraged MPs and members of the public, the government made a U-turn and said that it would be moving forward with the ban – but only for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.<\/p>\n

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Hundreds of Sheffielders showed up for the conversion \u201ctherapy\u201d protest today – folks of all ages and genders, LGBTQI and allies. Barkers Pool looked beautiful. Thanks to the organisers for holding a safe space, amazing to see how #Sheffield<\/a> showed up
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\u2014 Melanie Iredale (@Melanie_Iredale) April 30, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n