To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the Sexual Orientation Strategy, including (i) a ban on conversion therapy; and (ii) the formation and work of the (a) Expert Panel; (b) Co-Design Group; and (c) Cross Departmental Working Group.

The Sexual Orientation Expert Advisory Panel was appointed in October 2020 and was tasked with identifying the themes and key actions the Strategy should include and the gaps in provision that it should seek to address. The Panel’s Report was published on 5 March 2021 and includes recommendations which will be considered in more detail during development of the Strategy. These recommendations include a ban on conversion therapy.

The Co-Design Group is made up of key stakeholders from the LGBT sector and is responsible for advising on the development of the Strategy and supporting action plan. The Group is co-chaired by a DfC official and a member voted for by the Group. The Cross-departmental Working Group, which is comprised of officials from appropriate Departments, is responsible for providing input and expertise to the development of the Strategy and associated action plan to ensure they are targeted, measurable and deliverable. Both Groups meet on a monthly basis to support the ongoing development of the Strategy.

The draft Strategy, including agreed actions targeted at ending conversion therapy, will be subject to public consultation and will be published in December 2021, subject to Executive agreement. More details can be found on my Department’s website www.communities-ni.gov.uk/articles/sexual-orientation-strategy .