UN Human Rights Council 41: UK Statement on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
The UK reaffirmed its support for the work of the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, and welcomed his second report on the importance of data collection.
Thank you, Mr President.
The United Kingdom underlines its support for the work of the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. We welcome the second report by Mr Madrigal-Borloz to the Council, on the importance of data collection and management, and agree that this is an essential way for governments to address violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The UK knows the value that accurate data can provide. In 2017 we launched a major national survey to gather information about the experiences of our LGBT population. More than 108,000 people responded. We published a comprehensive LGBT Action Plan the following year, setting out the Government’s response to those findings.
One area of particular concern was that 5% of respondents had been offered conversion or reparative therapy to “cure” them of being LGBT; 2% had actually undergone it. The UK Government regards efforts to change or “cure” an individual’s sexual orientation and gender identity as abusive and harmful. We will be bringing forward proposals to end these practices for good in the UK.
We would welcome the views of the Independent Expert on how States can implement sensitive data collection procedures into national censuses, and how to increase awareness of the dangers of trying to ‘change’ sexual orientation, and how to end these practices everywhere.
Finally, I would also like to thank like to thank the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and prosecutors for his report.
Thank you.