THE government's plan to ban conversion therapy in England and Wales excludes transgender people, warns a city woman.

Controversial conversion therapy can be carried out on transgender people to change - despite it being illegal to do the same to gay and lesbian people. 

Members of Out2gether, Worcester's LGBT+ support and community group, had raised their concerns with the practice.

Councillor Robyn Norfolk, who represents St Johns for Labour, says she has experienced very little transphobia in Worcester but has noticed a shift in attitude since the new legislation has been proposed. 

"I have experienced very little transphobia in the city but I think Worcester is a wonderful city to transition in.

"I started my journey in 2013 and it's not been as bad as some other experiences I have heard. 

"But I am concerned that might change."

The new legislation has resulted in transgender people raising concerns about their own safety on social media. 

Cllr Norfolk said: "I have seen a shift in social media. 

"The message coming from the government is very mixed.

"On the one hand, we're celebrating an MP for coming out and on the other hand, we're hearing that conversion therapy is something that shouldn't be banned and the reasons for not banning are just scare stories.

"But when you hear your government parrot these scare stories, it can have a direct effect on your self-worth.

"It just feels like we're being used as a pawn in a cultural war.

"It's important to see visibly queer people in public but it doesn't help if people want to point the finger."

Cllr Norfolk has spoken about the long-lasting effect conversion therapy can have on young transgender people. 

Cllr Norfolk said: "You're constantly being told you are wrong and the scare stories claim that children may have been abused and bullied which is why they want to transition.

"But the children will probably experience more bullying once they transition."  

Cllr Norfolk said the younger generation are more likely to be allies for the transgender community, but she said that the stigma comes from older generations. 

"Life is already hard for trans people. The suicide rate and unemployment rates are quite high within the trans community," Cllr Norfolk said.   

"MP's parroting lies can make it hard for trans people to use the correct bathroom in public. 

"Society doesn't care about what people were doing unless they are causing anyone harm and most trans people aren't trying to cause any harm."