Government’s LGBT+ business adviser quits over U-turn on trans conversion therapy
Iain Anderson accuses government of attempting to wage ‘woke war’ on community
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The government’s LGBT+ business adviser has quit his role in protest at the contentious decision to exclude transgender people from a conversion therapy ban.
Iain Anderson, who was appointed to the role in 2021 by the equalities minister, Liz Truss, also accused the government of attempting to wage a “woke war” on the community.
“I was LGBT business champion not LGB or T, and that’s why I’m walking away,” he told ITV News, suggesting ministers were trying to “drive a wedge” among trans and lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
His announcement comes after officials and ministers were blindsided by Boris Johnson’s plan — leaked last week — to U-turn on a pledge to introduce a legislative ban on so-called conversion therapy.
After promoting outrage, No 10 partially backtracked, insisting legislation would be introduced, but only for gay conversion therapy — a discredited practice which seeks to change or suppress an individual’s sexual identity.
“This came as a complete bolt out of the blue. Not just to me but to Liz Truss and the government’s LGBT envoy. It came on the very day of International Transgender Visibility. I was completely shocked,” Mr Anderson added.
Mr Anderson also held a key role in work for the UK’s first global LGBT conference — Safe To Be Me — which is scheduled to take place in June, but is now in doubt over the government’s plans.
Last night it emerged the LGBT+ charity Stonewall and over 100 organisation pulled out of the conference following the U-turn on a trans conversion therapy ban.
The LGBT+ Consortium, an umbrella body for charities working in the UK, said the government’s plans to scrap planned legislation to outlaw conversion practices was “abhorrent”.
In his resignation letter on Tuesday, Mr Anderson said: “It has been the honour of my life to serve as the UKs first-ever LGBT+ business champion. However, I feel I have no choice but to tender my resignation from this role.
“I do this with a very heavy heart. As a young gay man I lived through fear and oppression under the backdrop of Section 28. I could never have dreamt then that a government — any government — would appoint an LGBT+ champion later in my lifetime.
But, he added: “The recent leaking of a plan to drop the government’s flagship legislation protecting LGBT+ people from conversion therapy was devastating. conversion therapy is abhorrent.
“Only hours later to see this plan retracted but briefing take place that trans people would be excluded from the legislation and therefore not have the same immediate protections from this practice was deeply damaging to my work.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments