05-05-2025
SNP MSP accuses her party of 'broken' promises after conversion therapy ban u-turn
Emma Roddick spoke out after the SNP Government kicked a ban into the long grass.
A former SNP Minister has accused her party of breaking promises to the LGBTQ+ community after shelving a ban on conversion therapy.
Emma Roddick wrote that she is 'devastated' a bill outlawing the practice will not be introduced by the next Holyrood election.
Conversion therapy is an attempt to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was committed to a Holyrood ban, but new FM John Swinney last week changed position to favour a UK-wide approach.
A written answer to Holyrood stated: 'If this approach cannot be agreed, then we commit to publishing our own Bill in Year 1 of the next Parliamentary session."
The SNP 's Out for Independence group said they were 'incredibly disappointed' a ban would not be in tomorrow's Programme for Government.
Roddick, a former Equalities, Migration and Refugees Minister, has also criticised the decision.
On X, she wrote: 'The SNP should be held to account - promises to the LGBTQ+ community have been broken.
'I've not heard from the FM but I'm devastated by the announcement we're not introducing a conversion practices ban this session. We must support the community, not look away from ongoing harm.'
Another X user responded by saying: "As a SNP member and gay, I was hoping for more support from the leadership."
Roddick replied: "Me too."
The MSP also wrote: "I was convinced in 2014 by the idea we could not only do different, but better. We have been in power for most of my life. We can at least use the powers we have to do better."
Equalities minister Kaukab Stewart said last week: 'Scotland remains absolute in our commitment to equality, the rights of the LGBTQI + community, and ending conversion practices.
'We will continue to work with the UK government on legislation extending to Scotland, that applies across all settings and protects all ages, is trans-inclusive and does not include any exemption for consent.
'However, if we do not make progress through a collaborative approach, the Scottish Government will get on with the job of ending these harmful practices in Scotland and intends to publish its own Bill in year one of the next Parliamentary session.
'We will also continue to develop and deliver other measures to end conversion practices and support survivors.'
