An NHS trust which operates in Cumbria has made a public commitment to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and support a ban on conversion therapy in the UK.
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), a provider of mental health and disability services in the North of England, has released a position statement that states that sexual orientation and gender identity is not a ‘disorder’ or mental health ‘problem’ that requires change and treatment.
The term conversion therapy is a type of treatment that assumes certain sexual orientations or gender identities are inferior to others and seeks to change them on that basis.
Simon Pearson, Chair of the CNTW LGBT+ Staff Network said: “This is a monumental and highly welcomed decision by the trust. It demonstrates to staff, service users and the wider population whom we serve, that we are accepted without exclusion, and we are afforded the respect and recognition of our individuality.
“It is a tremendous feeling knowing that the trust stands by and supports all LGBT+ people and encourages us to be our authentic selves in an inclusive environment.”
The position statement provides assurances that as well as supporting a ban on conversion therapy, the trust will respect the identities of those people with diverse gender and sexuality expressions, as well as ensuring that CNTW is a safe place to both work and receive services.
The trust also commits to raising awareness and providing education about the harm caused by conversion therapy and to acknowledge that all LGBTQ+ questioning individuals should be able to access therapeutic support to make sense of their emotions and identity.
James Duncan, Chief Executive said: “We are committed to standing with our LGBTQ+ community and are determined to ensure that anyone accessing therapy should be able to do so without threat or fear of being told they should change a fundamental part of themselves.”
