The parliamentary Committee considering the Conversion Practices Bill is seeking views on how the draft legislation could be improved.
The Christian Institute is among campaigners urging people to take part in the committee’s Call for Evidence, saying it’s an “important opportunity for Christians to make their voices heard” before the government decides whether to take the Bill forward.
The Bill has been heavily criticised by Christian groups who fear it could put ordinary conversations about faith, sexuality and gender at risk of criminalisation.
The legislation would create a new criminal offence relating to “conversion practices”. The Christian Institute warns that the offence is so broadly framed that it could capture conversations and conduct that are neither abusive nor harmful, including parents taking a cautious approach to their child’s desire to “transition”, or church leaders providing pastoral support to congregants.
Earlier this month, the Affinity network of churches and the Good Faith Partnership wrote a joint letter with the Christian Institute to the Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson over her claims that the Bill, which was published in June, won’t threaten freedom of religion, expression or parental rights. They said the draft legislation contains no clear guarantees that this would be the case.
Simon Calvert, Deputy Director of The Christian Institute is urging Christians to get involved with the Call for Evidence because he fears the Bill would create "a speech crime with serious risks for ordinary conversations within families and churches.
"Parents must be free to guide their children according to their beliefs. Christians must be free to pray with someone who asks for prayer, offer pastoral support and explain what the Bible teaches about sex and relationships. None of these things should put someone at risk of a criminal investigation simply because another person dislikes what has been said.
"We are urging Christians to respond to the Committee's call for evidence. MPs and Peers need to hear from people who understand how these proposals could affect everyday family life, church ministry and religious freedom. The more clearly the practical problems are explained, the harder they will be to ignore.
"The proposals would have a huge chilling effect. We recognise the government wants to ensure people are protected from abuse but you don’t help victims of abuse by making innocent people victims of injustice.”
The deadline for submissions to the Call for Evidence is 5pm on Monday 16 November 2026.
The Committee's report on its pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill is due to be published in January 2027.