The UK Government has been accused of "sending a message that it is inherently homophobic" by actor Alan Cumming due to Rishi Sunak's failure to ban conversion therapy.
The Conservative Party first promised a ban on practices that sought to suppress or "cure" a person’s sexual orientation back in 2018 when Theresa May was PM - and Boris Johnson pledged the same during the 2019 general election campaign.
Conversion therapy is defined by the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall as "a harmful form of abuse, focussed on changing or suppressing a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity".
But the time for Sunak and the current government to publish draft legislation that would implement the ban is whittling down ahead of the last King's Speech before the next general election.
In five days, King Charles III will make his final speech before the next election and LGBTQ+ campaigners have signed an open letter urging Mr Sunak to take action before he does so.
Stonewall has claimed that "without a clear commitment to a Bill in the King’s Speech, there is no way for legislation to pass through Parliament in time".
Alan Cumming has accused the government of being 'inherently homophobic'
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In an open letter addressed to Mr Sunak signed by Cumming and a number of other famous figures, they state: "We, as a community of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, are writing to demand immediate action on banning conversion practices.
"Conversion practices are abhorrent forms of abuse targeted at LGBTQ+ people for being who they are. Your government promised to ban this abuse, yet it appears you will break this promise."
The open letter goes to refer to the five-year delay in implementing the ban on "unethical, harmful and ineffective practices" as it continued: "Instead of taking decisive action to legislate... plans have delayed time and again. Now, by letting the clock run out, you are showing callous disregard for the harm faced by LGBTQ+ people.
"You are giving the green light for abusers to continue unhindered. You are letting down survivors and victims of abuse across this country."
Alan Cumming has signed the open letter to Rishi Sunak
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The letter goes on to say that "LGBTQ+ people deserve a government with the will to protect them from harm" and urges Mr Sunak to "do the right thing and legislate for a complete ban on these horrific and life-altering practices".
In a statement to coincide with the open letter's release, Cumming added: "It's not just about banning conversion therapy; it's about sending a message to young queer people that their government does not believe there's anything wrong with them, and that they have no need to convert or change.
"Until conversion therapy is banned, the UK government is sending a message that it is inherently homophobic."
Cumming is joined by a number of other famous faces who've signed the open letter to Mr Sunak, including Rylan Clark, Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall, Dr Ranj Singh, The Chase's Jenny Ryan, comedian Mae Martin, actor Russell Tovey and many more.
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🚨 BREAKING NEWS
— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) November 2, 2023
24 celebrities and campaigners have written to PM @RishiSunak to urge him to keep his promise to the LGBTQ+ community and #BanConversionTherapy.
"We want to see a future where all LGBTQ+ people in Britain can live freely..."
Read here➡️ https://t.co/lowgTWfosL pic.twitter.com/C3l6aGrYAl
In September, Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson declined to confirm that ministers still planned to push ahead with the ban, according to the Guardian.
However, they did say at the time: "The government has consistently said that no one in this country should be harmed or harassed for who they are, and so-called conversion therapy is abhorrent.
"But in terms of the future process, I will let the leader of the house set this out."