Columbia City Council to vote on whether to repeal Conversion Therapy Ban

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– Happening today, Columbia City Council set to hold a first vote on whether to repeal the City’s 2021 ban on conversion therapy.

A special-called meeting is scheduled for 3pm Tuesday at city hall.
Conversion therapy is a form of therapy aimed at trying to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The push to repeal the ban was sparked by a letter from South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson to Columbia City Council; Wilson saying he believes the city’s ban on conversion therapy is illegal.
According to state estimates, the city could lose over three million dollars in funding if the ban remains in place, due to a possible proviso in the budget that would revoke state dollars from any local government that enacts a ban on conversion therapy.
Ahead of today’s meeting, local advocates met on city council steps to push back, saying repealing the ban would cause harm to LGBT children.

ABC Columbia will have a crew at the council meeting and update you as this story develops.