This week the government said it would ban so-called conversion therapy for gay or bisexual people in England and Wales, but not for transgender people. The policy followed two U-turns in the space of an evening.It's a sensitive and controversial issue which was the subject of a special investigation on this podcast last August, by the journalist Emily Sargent. So today we're revisiting the first part of Thinking Straight.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.The full Thinking Straight series:Part 1: ConversionPart 2: UndercoverPart 3: SurvivingPart 4: Undercover againPart 5: Faith and queernessPart 6: Conversion and transitioningPart 7: The banGetting helpIf you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help:Switchboard provides an information, support and referral service for anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality.Phone: 0300 330 0630 (10am-10pm).Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk 24 hours a day.Phone: 116 123Guests: - Jayne Ozanne, director and founder, Ozanne Foundation; chair, Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition.- Dr Qazi Rahman, senior lecturer, King's College London.- Michael King, Emeritus Professor, University College London.Host: Emily Sargent, journalist.Clips: Times Radio, ITV News, Instagram: @xoutloudeuropeofficial, X-OUT-LOUD Europe, Core Issues Trust, BFI, BBC. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.