Senior faith leaders from around the world are coming together at an event backed by the UK government to call for an end to the criminalisation of LGBT+ people and a global ban on conversion practices. More than 370 figures from 35 countries representing 10 religions have signed a historic declaration ahead of a conference on 16 December in a move that will highlight divisions within global religions.

The signatories include Archbishop Desmond Tutu and eight other archbishops, the Catholic former president of Ireland Mary McAleese, more than 60 rabbis, and senior Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office had been due to host the conference at its Whitehall headquarters before the event was forced online by London’s move into tier 3 Covid restrictions. James Duddridge, the minister for Africa, will address the meeting.

Westminster Abbey is hosting a private celebration after the event, led by the deans of Westminster and St Paul’s cathedral.

The declaration calls for an end to the criminalisation of LGBT+ people and to “conversion therapy” – attempts to change, suppress or erase a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Read more via the Guardian