THE Scottish Greens have called on the SNP Government to introduce a "watertight" ban on conversion practices in Scotland amid fears UK Government proposals could leave loopholes.
The party have urged ministers to put a commitment to introducing Scottish legislation at the heart of next week's Programme for Government.
John Swinney previously pledged to ban LGBT+ conversion practices within the first year of the next Holyrood term if the SNP were re-elected.
Conversion practices, sometimes referred to as "conversion therapy", are attempts to change or suppress someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.
They can include talking therapies, "healing prayers" and treatments which make LGBT+ people feel they need to be "cured", and can cause lasting harm to those subjected to them.
The Scottish Government previously consulted on plans for a ban but later shelved standalone Scottish legislation in favour of pursuing a UK-wide approach.
Ministers said at the time that if Labour failed to introduce UK-wide legislation, the Scottish Government would seek to bring forward a criminal ban following the Holyrood election.
However, draft legislation subsequently announced in the King's Speech by the UK Government in June covers England and Wales but not Scotland.
Concerns have also been raised over potential limitations and loopholes in the Westminster proposals.
The Scottish Greens are now seeking assurances that the SNP Government will press ahead with its own legislation rather than seeking to extend the UK Government's proposals to Scotland.
Writing to Equalities Minister Simita Kumar, Scottish Greens equalities spokesperson Kate Nevens MSP said: "Conversion practices are cruel, abusive and profoundly damaging. They have no place in modern Scotland.
"No one should ever be made to feel that who they are is something that needs to be fixed, changed or erased.
"A comprehensive ban in Scotland has been promised for far too long. Next week's Programme for Government must see that promise turned into action.
"We need Scotland-specific legislation to come to Parliament for scrutiny as soon as possible.
"The UK Government's current draft bill on conversion practices not only fails to cover Scotland, it also fails to adequately address all forms of conversion practices and protect everyone from harm.
"Any ban must be watertight. It must protect everyone affected, leave no loopholes for abuse and ensure that no-one is left behind."
There had previously been concerns that exemptions could be included in Scottish legislation on religious grounds or where a person was deemed to have consented to conversion practices.
The issue was also debated against the backdrop of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which was passed by Holyrood before being blocked from becoming law by the UK Government.
Nevens said much of the groundwork for Scotland-specific legislation had already been completed through the Scottish Government's previous consultation and engagement with survivors and human rights organisations.
She added: "Far too many people have endured the fear, shame and trauma of these dehumanising practices. Their experiences must not be ignored, and future generations must never have to go through the same thing.
"We are urging the Scottish Government to use next week's Programme for Government to commit to delivering a comprehensive ban that LGBTQ+ people and survivors deserve and have waited long enough for.
"If the Government is prepared to act, they will have our full support."
