City of Columbia council held second vote for repeal on ban of conversion therapy
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– Columbia City Council members held the second reading of an ordinance to repeal the city’s current ban on conversion therapy.
In a 4-3 vote on Tuesday, June 24, the vote remained unchanged.
The meeting on the repeal of the ban stems from a letter sent to the council by South Carolina’s AG Alan Wilson. Wilson demanded that the ban be repealed or the city face the withholding of $3.7 million in funds.
The council was addressed by members of the community.
A member of the League of Women Voters says, “We decry the pressure that has been put on this council. We ask those of you who voted in favor of the repeal to please reconsider”.
Another community member addressed the council to say due to his work, he has seen how conversion therapy is nothing more than conversion trauma.
A number of other community members are addressing the council including substance abuse recovery and life coach, John Brunty, who says in his work he has seen how conversion therapy is nothing more than conversion trauma. @abc_columbia pic.twitter.com/YfTPVxqbd9
— Lee Williams (@leewilliams93) June 24, 2025
