So-called ‘Conversion Therapy’ – Statement and Executive summary
The University of Oxford School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (SMBMS) believes that medical schools have a responsibility to deliver informed, ethical, and accountable training on healthcare issues specific to LGBTQ+1 patients, and to support the needs of medical trainees who identify as LGBTQ+1. We condemn so-called LGBTQ+ ‘conversion therapy’ as a practice that has no place in modern medicine on the basis that there is no scientific evidence to support its clinical use, and there is evidence it can cause harm.
At the request of members of the student body, we have carefully considered GLADD’s 'UK Medical Schools Charter on So-Called LGBTQ+ ‘Conversion Therapy’'. In our view, the GLADD charter does not provide the robust framework for specific aims and accountability that is necessary to deliver on our determination to develop inclusive curricula and assessment.
The SMBMS is committed to the creation of an action plan for the whole of the medical school to diversify and decolonise both curriculum and assessment. This will include elements to ensure that we deliver on our EDI responsibilities to all patients and medical trainees, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. The action plan will be co-designed with our course leads and student body and will consist of SMART goals. Where relevant these action points will be aligned to (and extend beyond) the Charter.
This Statement and Executive Summary was approved by the SMBMS Executive Board in March 2024.
- Note that by LGBTQ+ we refer to those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning, ace, aro, abro or pan. It is also meant to include those who are intersex, who may identify as male, female or gender diverse.