Instagram bans the promotion of LGBT conversion therapy on its platform
The social media giant will block any content linked to the dangerous practice – which is still legal in the UK
Instagram has announced that it is banning the promotion of LGBT conversion therapy on its platform – and that deserves a big ‘like’.
The social media giant will block any content linked to the cruel practice, which tries to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity.
In an interview with the BBC, Tara Hopkins, EMEA public policy director at Instagram, explained why they have taken the steps.
“We don’t allow attacks against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity and are updating our policies to ban the promotion of conversion therapy services,” she said.
“We are always reviewing our policies and will continue to consult with experts and people with personal experiences to inform our approach,” Kate added.
The move comes amid mounting pressure on the UK government to make conversion therapy illegal.
In 2018, they vowed that the dangerous practice – which can involve shock treatment – would be banned as part of plans to make LGBT people’s lives easier.
Today we sent a letter to Liz Truss urging for a ban of #ConversionTherapy in the UK. It has been signed by a number of public figures, musicians, MPs and religious leaders who are in agreement: conversion therapy is torture and it has no place in modern Britain. pic.twitter.com/Mvs0DOsb8b
— BanConversionTherapy (@BanCTorg) July 10, 2020
New campaign Ban Conversion Therapy, set up by friends Harry Hitchens and Matthew Hyndman, urges the government to finally take action.
Today [Fri] an open letter was sent to equalities minister Liz Trust and was signed by a number of public figures and celebrities, including Elton John, Dua Lipa and Jade Thirlwall.