On 19th October 2024, a coalition of concerned professionals, including Archbishop Jerome, Titular Archbishop of Selsey, and authored by gender-critical advocate James Esses, sent an open letter to the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. The letter voices strong opposition to the Labour government’s proposed reintroduction of a trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy, citing fears that such legislation would have harmful unintended consequences, particularly for children experiencing gender dysphoria.
Core Concerns of the Letter
The letter warns that the proposed legislation, which seeks to ban practices aiming to “change or suppress someone’s gender identity,” risks criminalizing therapeutic approaches that explore the root causes of a child’s discomfort with their gender. The signatories highlight that under such a law, therapists could be prohibited from engaging in necessary, exploratory conversations that help children understand their feelings and consider all options, including remaining in their birth gender. The letter emphasizes that, contrary to the assumptions of proponents of the ban, the focus of therapy should not be predetermined but should allow for thoughtful exploration. The authors argue that this ban would force an “affirmation-only” approach, which could lead to irreversible medical interventions, like puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, without proper psychological evaluation.
Drawing on the findings of the Cass Review, which recommended that psychological therapy should be the primary treatment for children with gender dysphoria, the letter stresses that medical transitions carry significant risks, including irreversible physiological damage such as infertility, loss of bone density, and sexual dysfunction. Many of the children undergoing these transitions, the letter notes, later express regret. The signatories contend that by criminalizing therapists who wish to provide a more cautious, exploratory approach, the law would rob vulnerable children of the opportunity to come to terms with their own bodies.
Archbishop Jerome’s Broader Advocacy
Archbishop Jerome, has been an outspoken advocate for safeguarding children in the face of what he sees as ideologically driven gender policies. As co-founder of PSHEbrighton (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education in Brighton), ✠Jerome has been at the forefront of pushing for more transparency and balance in how schools handle sensitive issues like gender identity. PSHEbrighton seeks to ensure that schools prioritize child safeguarding by involving parents in discussions about their children’s education and mental health, and by advocating for more measured approaches to addressing gender dysphoria [✠SELEISI].
Through PSHEbrighton, Archbishop Jerome has emphasized the importance of allowing children to explore their feelings without rushing into medical decisions. This aligns with his position in the letter to Prime Minister Starmer, where he argues that therapy should not be restricted to gender affirmation alone but should involve a comprehensive examination of all contributing factors, including social and psychological influences. His advocacy reflects a deep commitment to child protection and the belief that current gender identity policies risk doing more harm than good[✠SELEISI].
A Diverse Coalition of Signatories
The letter to Sir Keir Starmer has attracted support from a wide array of professionals, including medical experts, legal professionals, academics, and child safeguarding advocates. Each sector brings its own unique concerns about the proposed legislation.
Medical Professionals
- Dr. David Bell, a psychiatrist and whistleblower who exposed the practices at the Tavistock clinic, is one of the key signatories. He has consistently raised concerns about the medicalization of gender dysphoria in children and the lack of long-term data on the effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.
- Dr. Marcus Evans, a former governor at the Tavistock clinic, resigned in protest over the clinic’s handling of gender dysphoria cases. He has argued that too many children are being fast-tracked into medical transitions without adequate psychological support.
Legal Experts
- Karon Monaghan QC, a prominent human rights barrister, warns that the vague wording of Labour’s proposed law could criminalize reasonable therapeutic practices that explore a child’s identity in a non-directive way. Monaghan points out that therapists may face legal challenges for simply pausing to explore alternative paths instead of affirming gender transition.
- Dr. Anna Loutfi, another human rights barrister, echoes concerns about the chilling effect this legislation could have on the therapeutic profession, arguing that vague definitions around “conversion practices” could lead to widespread confusion and legal repercussions for therapists.
Academics and Child Safeguarding Experts
- Professor Kathleen Stock, a gender-critical philosopher, has been a key voice in advocating for open dialogue about gender identity issues in schools and academia. She argues that the proposed legislation stifles open debate and forces educators to adhere to an ideological agenda without room for critical examination.
- Stephanie Davies-Arai, founder of Transgender Trend, is a leading advocate for child safeguarding in the context of gender dysphoria. She has long warned that the medicalization of gender identity in children can lead to serious, irreversible harm. Davies-Arai calls for policies that prioritize mental health and psychological support over medical interventions.
International Concerns and Potential Risks
Last month, a United Nations expert warned that a trans-inclusive bans on conversion therapy could backfire by putting girls and boys at risk of harm if governments rush their implementation [The Telegraph]. The letter draws attention to international examples, particularly in Victoria, Australia, where similar legislation has resulted in the criminalization of parents who oppose their child’s medical transition. The signatories argue that the UK risks following this dangerous path, where vague legal definitions could lead to parents being prosecuted for exercising caution. Moreover, the letter highlights that existing UK legislation already covers extreme forms of abuse, such as electric shock treatment and corrective rape, making the proposed ban unnecessary.
Dr Jillian Spencer, former senior staff specialist in the Queensland Children’s Hospital’s (QCH) consultation liaison psychiatry team on her experience and the Affirmation Model…
Conclusion
The open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer represents a united front of professionals from various sectors calling for a reconsideration of Labour’s proposed trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy. The signatories, including Archbishop Jerome and James Esses, argue that the law, as currently drafted, could criminalize ethical therapeutic practices and harm vulnerable children by promoting an affirmation-only approach to gender dysphoria. They emphasize the need for a cautious, evidence-based approach that allows for psychological exploration and safeguards the rights of both children and their therapists.
Archbishop Jerome’s involvement, both in the letter and through his work with PSHEbrighton, reflects his ongoing commitment to child safeguarding and transparency in the education and healthcare sectors. The signatories collectively call for careful consideration of the risks posed by the proposed legislation, advocating for policies that protect children from irreversible medical interventions and support their mental well-being [✠SELEISI].
Reported in: The Telegraph The Daily Mail Parliament News
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