Passed Policies and Progress

UWS Students' Union condemns the practice of conversion therapy, whereby LGBT+ people undergo forced conditioning against their sexuality or gender identity. We will support the End Conversion Therapy Scotland campaign, which calls for the Scottish Government to ban the practice. We will exclude any organisations or individuals supporting the practice from attending Union events. We will ensure that our Advice Workers are aware of the practice and are in a position where they are able to support survivors, who may have specific support needs as a consequence of their experiences.

Conversion therapy is a form of legal torture against LGBT+ people, often when they are at their most vulnerable. It is pseudoscience and causes severe mental health issues for survivors. You can read more about conversion therapy and the End Conversion Therapy Scotland campaign on their website at https://endconversiontherapy.scot/background

Stirling SU recently passed a similar motion at their General Meeting. A large number of MSP candidates in the Holyrood elections pledged to end the practice, however Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP are instead waiting on the Conservative Westminster Government to pass legislation against it.