Jamie Greene challenges ministers on conversion therapy ban
It comes after equalities minister Kaukab Stewart recently announced legislation was being delayed, saying the Scottish Government is working with Westminster on a possible UK-wide ban on such practices – which seek to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or identity.
However she said earlier this month that if the UK Labour Government fails to legislate on the issue, an SNP Scottish Government will 'publish its own Bill in year one of the next parliamentary session'.
Mr Greene however has written to Ms Stewart demanding the Scottish Government acts now, adding that if SNP ministers do not they should 'give the Bill to me and I will introduce it'.
As such he insisted the 'only blockage' to a Bill coming forward now 'is the Scottish Government'.
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The MSP, who recently defected to the Liberal Democrats from the Tories, said while it may be 'politically unappealing' to bring forward legislation on the subject in the run-up to the 2026 Scottish election, a commitment had been made.
Mr Greene said: 'All political parties promised to back change in the law in their 2021 Holyrood manifestos. The SNP made an explicit promise if they got into government to introduce this Bill and haven't.'
He added it is 'no wonder political parties were banned from taking part in this year's Pride events' – noting 'organisers say they are sick of warm words of encouragement to the LGBT+ community and want action'.
Mr Greene continued: 'It might be politically unappealing in an election year to have difficult conversations and debates of this nature, but backing down from promises and shying away from the argument is an insult to those affected by this abhorrent practice.
'I've made a simple offer to the SNP Government – introduce the legislation this year, and if you can't, or won't, give the Bill to me and I will introduce it.'
A commitment to bring forward legislation to end conversion practices had also been included in the SNP's powersharing agreement with the Scottish Greens – however the deal ended before any Bill on this was introduced.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to protecting LGBTQI+ communities from the harm caused by conversion practices.
'We are continuing to work with the UK Government to fully explore legislation to ban conversion practices that would cover England, Wales and Scotland.
'We have been clear that if their Bill does not meet our priorities or does not go far enough, then we intend to publish our own Bill in the first year of the next parliamentary session. We will engage with key stakeholders as we take this work forward.'
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