Banning Conversion Practices: Saba Ali on Faith, Harm & Global Resistance

In this episode of 1946: The Culture Shift Tour – United Kingdom, we sit down with Saba Ali — award-winning activist, speaker, and Chair of the Ban Conversion Practices Coalition. This is one of the most urgent conversations we’ve had. As global debates intensify — and with recent rulings in the United States framing conversion therapy as “free speech” — the reality is clear: these practices are not therapy. They are harm. Saba prefers the term “conversion practices” because there is nothing therapeutic about attempting to change or suppress someone’s sexuality or gender identity. As a queer South Asian woman with lived experience, Saba brings deep insight into the intersection of race, religion, culture, and identity. Her work spans advocacy, policy reform, and frontline support for those impacted by abuse, discrimination, and systemic inequality. In This Episode: 🚨 What Are Conversion Practices? Why language matters — and how “therapy” disguises harm. 🌍 A Global Crisis How these practices continue across the UK, US, and beyond — and why legislation still falls short. 🧠 The Impact The psychological, emotional, and spiritual harm caused by conversion practices. ⚖️ Law, Policy & Power What’s happening right now in the UK and US — and why bans are critical. 🕌 Culture, Faith & Intersectionality How race, religion, and family systems intersect with LGBTQIA+ identity. 🔥 Advocacy & Resistance What it takes to challenge institutions, shift policy, and protect future generations. This episode is not just a conversation — it’s a call to awareness, accountability, and action. 🎬 Watch 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture 👉 https://www.1946themovie.com 🎧 Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts & Spotify Music by Marianna Sokol – “Home” 🎶 🔗 FULL LIST OF LINKS + ORGANIZATIONS 1. Ban Conversion Practices Coalition www.banconversionpractices.com 2. Saba Ali (Personal / Linktree) www.linktr.ee/sabacelebritypa 3. UK Black Pride www.ukblackpride.org.uk 4. Diva Charitable Trust www.divacharitabletrust.org 5. Building Bridges for Peace www.buildingbridgesforpeace.org 6. Surviving Universal UK www.survivinguniversaluk.com 7. Stonewall (UK) www.stonewall.org.uk 8. UK Government – Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Action Plan www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-violence-against-women-and-girls-strategy 9. American Psychological Association (APA) www.apa.org 10. Human Rights Organizations (General Reference) www.hrw.org 11. UK Parliament / Legislative Process www.parliament.uk 12. UK Government Equality Office www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-equalities-office 13. NHS (Mental Health + Therapy Context) www.nhs.uk 14. Conversion Practices Survey (Coalition Campaign) www.banconversionpractices.com 👥 KEY PEOPLE MENTIONED (OPTIONAL TO INCLUDE) Lady Phyll (UK Black Pride founder) Phoebe (Stonewall / coalition comms) Rachel Reign (Surviving Universal UK)