Today, Tuesday 15th March Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick challenged the claim that a ban on conversion therapy would violate religious freedoms, telling the Scottish Parliament that the practice constitutes ‘psychological torment of LGBTQ+ people.’
Commenting, Roddick said:
“As the first out parliamentarian to represent the Highlands and Islands, this issue is one very close to my heart.
“Conversion practices are not ‘therapy’.
“They inflict severe pain and suffering, resulting in long-lasting psychological and physical damage.
“They bring no benefit to the individuals suffering under these practices and there can be no excuse for them.
“I do not believe this is, as some have claimed, a matter of religious freedom – homophobia is not a religion.
“Transphobia is not a religion.
“Torture is not a protected belief.
“As an SNP MSP, I am proud of Scotland’s historic record on LGBTQ+ rights.
“It is that record that I believe we must defend with a total ban of conversion practices in Scotland for good.”
