First vote on whether to repeal conversion therapy ban scheduled for Tuesday

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Members of Columbia’s City Council are scheduled to vote again on whether or not to repeal the city’s 2021 ban on conversion therapy after the vote was deferred on May 20th.

A special-called meeting is now scheduled for 3 p.m. on May 27th inside council chambers at Columbia City Hall.

Conversion therapy, which is an attempt to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, has been condemned as harmful, dangerous, and ineffective by major medical and psychological associations.

This includes the World Psychiatric Association, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Association For Marriage And Family Therapy, American Counseling Association, National Association Of Social Workers, American Academy Of Pediatrics, American Academy Of Physician Assistants, and the American Association Of Sexuality Educators, Counselors And Therapists.

The push to repeal the ban was sparked by a letter from SC Attorney General Alan Wilson to Columbia City Council, saying he believes the city’s ban on conversion therapy is illegal and “has been mischaracterized and weaponized by activist groups to restrict religious freedom and professional judgment in counseling.”

That letter can be read here. 

According to state estimates, the city could lose about $3.7 million cut to Columbia’s public budget from the SC General Assembly if the ban remains in place. This stems from a temporary law that is likely to be included in the next state budget, called a proviso, that would revoke state dollars from any local government that enacts a ban on minors undergoing conversion therapy.

However, dozens of people went before the council on May 20th — pushing for the ban to remain in effect, including people who have been forced to undergo conversion therapy, psychiatrists, and community activists.