A leading LGBT charity in Northern Ireland has withdrawn from a UK government equality conference in a row over gay conversion therapy.
The Rainbow Project described as "shameful" a government announcement that transgender people would be excluded from plans to ban conversion therapy in England and Wales.
It is "withdrawing all support" for the government's Safe To Be Me conference - the first ever global LGBT conference, which is being hosted in London at the end of June.
Read more: Gay conversion therapy motion debated in Assembly
The LGBT advocacy organisation said the boycott would extend to any events proposed for Northern Ireland to coincide with the conference.
Conversion therapy is the practice of attempting to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity, according to NHS England.
The government last week said it will ban conversion therapy for gay or bisexual people in England and Wales - but not for transgender people.
The announcement came hours after it had said it would drop plans for the ban entirely, prompting criticism from LGBT groups and MPs.
The Rainbow Project said it is committed to achieving a "full ban on conversion therapy throughout these islands", describing the practice as "abusive and torturous".
It said: "The UK government plans to exclude trans, non-binary and gender diverse people from a proposed ban on conversion therapy is not acceptable.
"For the government to announce this on trans day of visibility is shameful."
It said the Safe To Be Me conference, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first official London Pride marches, should have been a "moment of celebration".
"However, the UK government's procrastination, mixed messaging and failure to commit to protecting some of the most vulnerable members of our community leave us no option but to boycott this event," it added.
The government plans mean therapy to try and change an individual's sexuality will be outlawed, but not practices attempting to change gender identity.
Some groups have called for a ban not to include transgender people.
Nikki da Costa, a former government director of legislative affairs, warned that elements of proposals relating to gender identity could have "profound consequences for children struggling with gender dysphoria".
"Doctors, therapists and parents would be deterred from exploring with a child any feelings of what else may be going on for fear of being told they're trying to change a child's identity," she told the BBC.
John O'Doherty, director of the Rainbow Project, said: "We will not accept a ban which does not protect our trans, non-binary and gender diverse communities.
"This government has consistently failed to follow through on commitments to address the inequalities experienced by LGBTQIA+ people and in particular our trans, non-binary and gender diverse communities. We cannot and will not support this.
"Conversion therapy is happening to LGBTQIA+ people across these islands each and every day. It may be cloaked in secrecy, religious dogma or so-called therapy. But each day without a ban is a day where LGBTQIA+ people are at risk of lifelong harm."
Last year, the Stormont Assembly backed a motion calling on the Communities Minister to introduce legislation to ban conversion therapy.
Read more: Greens hit out at Stormont department over 'measly' level of funding for LGBT groups
Read more: LGBT activists sign letter of no confidence calling for Belfast Pride organisers to resign
For the latest politics news straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
