A PROTEST has been held in Hereford to demand that transgender people be included in a conversion practices ban proposed by the Government.

Around 40 people took to the streets on Sunday, marching from the Old House in High Town, to the Old Market, then finishing at the Cathedral.

The current bill being put forward criminalises gay and bisexual conversion therapy, but doesn't afford trans and non-binary people that same protection.

The government has faced criticism after a series of U-turns last week on its backtracking on commitments to include transgender people in the ban.

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According to the British Psychological Society (BPS), tries to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.

The BPS and other professional bodies, including NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, have warned all kinds of conversion therapy are "unethical and potentially harmful".

Nick Zweigenbaum, who was involved in organising the rally in Hereford said: "The ban in itself is a good thing, but doesn't go far enough.

"Trans people deserve and need to be protected from this.

"The Prime Minister himself described it as 'torture' and we want to let him know that there needs to be a total ban on this practice."

Rally organisers Marlowe Kelly, Ruby Scott-Wilson and Bibi Kelly

Rally organisers Marlowe Kelly, Ruby Scott-Wilson and Bibi Kelly

There were speeches which were written by Marlowe Kelly, Xavier Hornsby, Polly Conroy, Bear O’Donnell and Jo Child on their opposition to the proposed legislation.

Mr Zweigenbaum said he was delighted with the response they received from the people of Hereford to their protest on Sunday.

He said: "The vast majority of the public were incredibly supportive, cheering us along our route as we marched, the occasional person even stopping to ask more information and we even received the occasional high five."

"There is no ban without a total ban. We cannot as a society or community accept anybody being left behind in this."