News Summary
The Columbia City Council has postponed a vote on repealing a city ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors amid pressure from the state. The council’s unanimous decision to defer the matter comes as public speakers express strong support for maintaining the ban, citing mental health concerns for LGBTQ youth. The ordinance has been in place since June 2021, and its potential repeal could lead to significant financial repercussions for the city. Mayor Rickenmann indicated the council will wait for further state legislative actions before reconsidering the issue.
Columbia City Council Defers Decision on Conversion Therapy Ban for Minors Amid State Pressure
The Columbia City Council has unanimously voted to defer a decision on whether to repeal a city ordinance that bans conversion therapy for minors. The decision came during a regularly scheduled council meeting, where council members voted 7-0 to hold off on any action regarding the ordinance, which has been in place since June 2021. The delay follows pressure from South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who asserted that the ordinance violates the state constitution.
At the council meeting, numerous public speakers expressed strong support for maintaining the ban, citing serious concerns for the emotional and mental well-being of LGBTQ youth. Dylan Gunnels, the president of South Carolina Pride, shared personal accounts of the harmful effects conversion therapy can have on individuals. Experts informed the council that repealing the ban could potentially lead to increased incidents of suicide among LGBTQ minors, raising alarms about the potential consequences for the community.
Some speakers at the meeting argued for a repeal, suggesting that sexual orientation should not be constrained by any ordinance, claiming it is fluid. However, advocates against repeal emphasized the detrimental impacts conversion therapy can have, particularly on the mental health of vulnerable youth.
The Columbia ordinance was initially approved as a protective measure for minors, making Columbia the first city in South Carolina to outlaw conversion therapy. This practice typically involves attempts by counselors or therapists to change an LGBTQ individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity back to heterosexuality.
Attorney General Wilson issued a legal opinion in 2022 stating that the ordinance infringes upon the First Amendment rights of faith-based counselors, alongside violating the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act passed in the same year. Besides legal challenges, the state legislature has enacted a budget amendment threatening to penalize municipalities that uphold such bans by withholding local government funds. For Columbia, this could translate into a funding loss of approximately $3.7 million.
In anticipation of potential financial repercussions, the city plans to explore alternative funding sources if the ordinance is ultimately repealed. Columbia’s Mayor Daniel Rickenmann indicated that the council would await further legislative actions at the state level before taking another vote on the matter. This suggests that the council is considering the broader political ramifications surrounding the issue as they navigate the ongoing discussions.
As of now, the council has not designated a specific date to revisit the ordinance, although reports indicate that the council may reconvene on the topic as early as June. It is significant to note that the city will need to provide at least a 60-day notice before implementing any full repeal of the ordinance.
Numerous organizations, including the ACLU, Agape Table, and the Harriet Hancock Center, have expressed their opposition to the repeal. They argue that rescinding the ban could lead to harmful outcomes for LGBTQ youth, who are already at a higher risk for mental health issues and suicide compared to their heterosexual peers.
The current situation in Columbia highlights the tension between local governance and state mandates on social issues, particularly as it relates to the care and protection of minors within the LGBTQ community. The council’s decision to defer underscores the complexity of this issue, as they balance community sentiments with potential legal and financial consequences.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Columbia Prepares for Supreme Court Ruling on Conversion Therapy Ban
Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Columbia City Council Set to Vote on Conversion Therapy Ban
- Wikipedia: Conversion Therapy
- WLTX: Columbia City Council Decision on Conversion Therapy Ban
- Google Search: Columbia City Council Conversion Therapy
- ABC Columbia: Latest on Columbia’s Vote on Conversion Therapy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Conversion Therapy
- WPDE: City of Columbia to Vote on Conversion Therapy Ban
- Google News: Columbia Conversion Therapy Ban
- ABC Columbia: Columbia Holds Off on Conversion Therapy Ban Vote
- SC Daily Gazette: Columbia Decision on Conversion Therapy Ban
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