It’s Not Therapy, It’s Abuse

A collective of 21* LGBTQA+ charities, coordinated by Stonewall, have released a powerful short film depicting the abuse of a young trans person undergoing so-called ‘conversion therapy’. The abuse seen in the 2.5-minute-long film is 100% legal in the UK.

Created by The&Partnership for the charities, the film supports the introduction of legislation for a full ban on conversion therapy that includes trans people and protects the whole LGBTQA+ community.

In 2018, the UK Government first announced that it would introduce a ban on conversion therapy practices for gay, lesbian and bi and trans people in England and Wales and it has this week, at last, brought forward a statement indicating they will now legislate for an inclusive ban to protect all LGBTQA+ people.

The film released by this collective of LGBTQA+ charities, brings to life the various abusive methods that are used to attempt to ‘cure’ LGBTQA+ people. It serves to raise awareness of the harm that continues to be inflicted on people in the UK while the practice remains legal.

The film, produced through Academy Films and directed by Zhang + Knight, is based on first-hand survivor testimony from the UK and depicts the horror of a young trans person being subjected to abuse, coercion, and psychological harm in the name of ‘conversion therapy’. It is accompanied by Douglas Dare’s version of ‘It’s a Sin’ by the Pet Shop Boys, who gave their permission for the track to be used for free to support the film.

The&Partnership and mSix&Partners, who are supporting on film distribution, worked on the project pro bono after team members raised achieving a full ban on conversion therapy as an issue that is important to them.