4 to 3 — City council votes to repeal the ban on conversion therapy, 2nd vote to take place at later date

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Columbia City Council members held the first reading of an ordinance to repeal the city’s current ban on conversion therapy.

In a decision of four to three, council members voted to repeal the ban on conversion therapy across the city. However, this is the first of two readings and votes. A second reading and vote will be held at a later undetermined date.

After two deferred votes in May, council members held another meeting Tuesday afternoon, again, hearing from nearly 15 members of the LGBTQ community, allies, local experts, and a senator who say the 2021 ban on conversion therapy needs to stay in place.

“This budget proviso and the threat of lawsuit is not about any policy. It’s about political theater. This is a headline grabber for two men who want to be governor,” says Senator Tameika Isaac Devine, referring to a likely gubernatorial run by Attorney General Alan Wilson and upstate Senator Josh Kimbrell.

Many speakers addressed what they believe is a form of blackmail of $3.7 million — money being withheld from the city through a proviso should the city not repeal the ban. Speakers also reminded the council, the $3.7 million is less than 1%  of the total budget.

“State lawmakers have chosen to punish Columbia by pulling millions of dollars from the state funding, forcing you to consider balancing the budget on the backs of kids,” says Jace Woodrum, Executive Director at ACLU of South Carolina.

Three council members — Tyler Bailey, Aditi Bussells, and Tina Herbert voted to keep the ban in place.

“How people treat you has so much to do with how you see yourself in this space, and where you belong,” says Herbert.

Four others — Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, and Councilmen Ed McDowell, Will Brennan and Peter Brown voted to repeal the ban.

“Based on lack of violations, untimely cost, and timeliness of legal challenge with state, the threat to our budget and impractical nature of the ban itself. I am voting yes to repeal the ordinance and will work to repair the fractured community interests that has endured the politics of a very emotional and passionate issue and has hurt many people in the process,” says Brown.

Veteran and healthcare advocate Wade Fulmer says this is another effort by the Statehouse to control minds and bodies.

“I’m really sad about it (the vote to repeal the ban). We’ve gotta get money out of politics and get back to health — for healthcare,” he says.

Dorae Saunders, Miss Black America Plus, says it was imperative she show up to each meeting — and represent transgender and marginalized youth who feel unseen.

Speaking of council members who voted to repeal the ban, she says, “Just like we voted them in, they can be voted out. They need to be very careful and understand you work for us, we don’t work for you. And it also showed me that money can be the root of all evil because this was clearly about money control and abusing a marginalized group of people. But remember the pendulum is mighty, it swings both ways, so be careful what you do. We know who you are. We’re going to make a lot of noise and let everyone know you voted yes, so when it’s time to vote for you, we can vote no. See how that works?”

A second reading and vote will take place at a later date.