Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the article in The Independent on 18 October 2026, (a) what definition she uses of the phrase "living as their true self" and (b) if she will list examples of conduct that would prevent a person from doing so for the purposes of the draft Conversion Practices Bill.

Under the draft Bill, criminalised conduct refers specifically to abusive acts intended to change a person's sexual orientation or transgender identity that result in serious harm or distress. As set out in the legislation, this may be conduct of a violent, threatening or sexual nature, coercion or which deploys economic, emotional or psychological pressure.

The draft Bill is undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny. We welcome the opportunity to make sure a ban is effective.