Hundreds have gathered outside Downing Street to protest against the government’s decision to exclude transgender people from a ban on conversion therapy.

Demonstrators, many of them waving pink, white and blue transgender pride flags, shouted “Keep trans in the ban” and “LGB with the T”.

Leading campaigner Peter Tatchell spoke at the event, where protesters held up signs reading “Pride is a protest” and “Queerness doesn’t need a cure”.

Conversion therapy attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity and is banned in several countries.

The government plans to go ahead with a ban on conversion therapy for gay people but not in relation to those identifying as transgender.

It has said this was to ensure that the law did “not interfere in the work of legitimate therapists providing appropriate support for people with gender dysphoria who may be considering taking life-changing medication”.

But that has led campaigners to accuse the government of breaking promises.

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Mr Tatchell told the demonstration on Sunday: “We were promised a total ban.”

Instead, he said the prime minister “has given us a half-baked ban, which we will never ever accept”.

“The only ban worth having is a ban for everyone, including trans people,” Mr Tatchell added.

The government’s position has already led to the cancellation of a landmark LGBT conference due to be held in London in the summer.

It has also prompted the UK’s LBGT+ business champion Iain Anderson to resign, saying it was “profoundly shocking”.

Some Tory MPs including Jamie Wallis – who recently came out as trans – have also expressed their disappointment.

Boris Johnson set out his thinking on the issue a few days ago, saying: “We will have a ban on gay conversion therapy, which to me is utterly abhorrent.

“But there are complexities and sensitivities when you move from the area of sexuality to the question of gender.”

The prime minister used the same interview to express his opinion that “biological males should not be competing in female sporting events”.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that “conversion therapy in all forms should be banned” and that the government must “stick to its promises”.

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