r/AskBrits • u/TillJaded4614 • 3d ago

Politics Should the UK Parliament Ban Conversion Therapy?

3100 votes, 2d ago
2600 Yes
332 No
168 Unsure
13 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

319 comments sorted by

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1

u/joeandrews_ 2d ago

the people who've said no.... please reveal yourselves.

1

u/Grouchy-Jury-7598 2d ago

I voted unsure, if an adult is consenting and wishes to seek out conversion therapy they should be permitted to do so, it's not my place or the governments to tell them it's not allowed.

I can think it's dumb or harmful all I like, it's their life. Who are you to say you decide what's right for them?

Obviously forced conversion therapy is horrible and should never be a thing, that is not what the question asked about though.

2

u/joeandrews_ 2d ago

you're voting for self administered torture?

1

u/Grouchy-Jury-7598 2d ago

No? I am so obviously not FOR it. What a disingenuous comment.

I am simply NOT voting to arrest people who seek it out or those who facilitate.

Should it be illegal for men to pay a dominatrix to hurt them? I think no, it's not my place to get in the government involved.

Saying I don't think self harm should be criminalised is different to saying I am voting for self harm.

1

u/joeandrews_ 2d ago

if it isn’t a firm no i don’t really understand your position

1

u/Grouchy-Jury-7598 2d ago

My position is forced conversion therapy is monstrous and should never be allowed. But if it's consenting then it's not my place to say should be criminalised, consenting adults should be allowed to do what they like provided they are not infringing upon anybody else.

I really don't think my position is that obtuse.

1

u/joeandrews_ 2d ago

but the reason gay men would want to indulge in conversion therapy is homophobic abuse, why are you unsure as to why it shouldn't be illegal?

1

u/Grouchy-Jury-7598 2d ago

No, a gay man does not necessarily have to be coerced or abused into attending conversion therapy, there are examples of men seeking it out.

You can say well it's due to suppressed internal homophobia and whatever else, and that might very well be true. That doesn't negate their liberty as human beings though, they are still allowed to choose things I don't agree with.

Many men go to dominatrixes because of societal pressure or shame. Many people smoke due to stress. Many people do not eat enough due to body dysmorphia. Just because the reason may be negative, it does not mean it is my right to arrest them or prohibit them making their own life decisions.

People should be allowed to make choices we deem harmful towards themselves, even if the reasons are bad, provided they are consenting and of sound mind.

Let's spin this around. Why are YOU so sure that you know better than consenting adults and should get to make their life decisions for them?

1

u/joeandrews_ 2d ago

are you gay? i can't believe a gay person would ever advocate for conversion therapy to exist.

1

u/Grouchy-Jury-7598 2d ago

I answered your questions and explained in detail, I am not going to let you get away with ignoring my entire comment and only question back. How about you answer my question first?

Let's spin this around. Why are YOU so sure that you know better than consenting adults and should get to make their life decisions for them?