Latest news with #conversiontherapy
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why Cuyahoga could be first Ohio county to ban anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Northeast Ohio residents are calling on Cuyahoga County leaders to join municipalities across the state in outlawing anti-LGBTQ+ practices known as 'conversion therapy.' The Cuyahoga County Council introduced an ordinance on Tuesday to prohibit healthcare professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with minors and some adults deemed 'vulnerable.' Long considered 'anti-LGBTQ+,' the techniques use talk therapy and occasionally more invasive methods to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, like reducing or eliminating same-sex attraction. 'I'm casting my voice in favor of this county-wide ban, not just for myself but for the majority of my classmates who did not make it to see this day,' said Otto Tyson, a Cleveland resident and conversion therapy survivor, during the meeting. 'This is your chance to be on the right side of our county's history, to be the trusted adult in the room.' Ohio equal rights amendment would outlaw discrimination, void same-sex marriage ban The proposed ordinance is spearheaded by Brandon West, a 23-year-old Ohioan who championed his home city of Lorain to ban conversion therapy last year and then began advocating for Cuyahoga to do the same. His work is having a ripple effect: After Westerville became the 13th Ohio city to ban the practices earlier this year, the city's mayor joined several municipality leaders in urging other towns to do the same. West previously told NBC4 he is also pushing for prohibitions to be introduced in Vermilion and Oberlin. He said during Tuesday's meeting that the ordinances in other Ohio cities has encouraged youth to seek mental healthcare given it's guaranteed they won't be subjected to conversion therapy. 'After we passed a ban in Lorain, I had many messages come through from families with gay or trans kids, saying how they finally felt protected,' said West. 'Protected enough to get proper mental healthcare. [Lorain's] a city of 60,000-plus people. Imagine the effect it would have on a county with over 1 million.' Stephanie Ash, a director for the National Association of Social Workers' Ohio chapter, said during Tuesday's meeting there is no scientific basis for conversion therapy, calling the techniques 'physiological abuse' and 'rooted in the false and dangerous belief that LGBTQIA+ identities are disorders in need of correction.' She pointed to research that found youth who are subjected to conversion therapy face higher rates of depression, anxiety, self harm, and suicide. 'We know that one supportive adult in a young person's life can reduce the risk of suicide by 40%,' Ash said. 'This ordinance gives us the opportunity to be that supportive adult through our policies, our protections and our values. Banning conversion therapy is not about politics, it's about saving lives.' Ohio House will return this month to consider property tax provision veto overrides Brooks Boron, the president of Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, said conversion therapy is a 'discredited practice based on the false and harmful premise that being LGBTQIA+ is a disorder,' citing condemnations from the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association and American Academy of Pediatrics. Boron argued the ban is needed given the practices continue 'to be inflicted upon our community and our youth across the state.' While Democratic legislators at the Ohio Statehouse reintroduced a bill in February to prohibit the practices statewide, the proposal has failed to gain support across the legislative aisle. 'Passing this ban sends a clear and powerful message that Cuyahoga County values its LGBTQIA+ residents, especially its youth, and that we are committed to protecting them from abuse that masquerades as treatment,' said Boron. 'This action would align our country with other municipalities across Ohio and the nation who've taken the stand to protect LGBTQIA+ individuals from this harmful practice.' Cuyahoga's ordinance now heads to the county's Health, Human Services and Aging Committee for review. If approved, practitioners could face civil penalties and the relevant licensing board, commission or entity tasked with review of professional conduct would be notified of violations by the county director of Health and Human Services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Wisconsin Supreme Court clears the way for a conversion therapy ban to be enacted
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Supreme Court cleared the way Tuesday for the state to institute a ban on conversion therapy. The court ruled that a Republican-controlled legislative committee's rejection of a state agency rule that would ban the practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ people was unconstitutional. The 4-3 ruling from the liberal-controlled court comes amid the national battle over LGBTQ+ rights. It is also part of a broader effort by the Democratic governor, who has vetoed Republican bills targeting transgender high school athletes, to rein in the power of the GOP-controlled Legislature. What is known as conversion therapy is the scientifically discredited practice of using therapy to 'convert' LGBTQ+ people to heterosexuality or traditional gender expectations. The practice has been banned in 23 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank. It is also banned in more than a dozen communities across Wisconsin. Since April 2024, the Wisconsin professional licensing board for therapists, counselors and social workers has labeled conversion therapy as unprofessional conduct. Advocates seeking to ban the practice want to forbid mental health professionals in the state from counseling clients with the goal of changing their sexual orientation or gender identity. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed in March to hear a Colorado case about whether state and local governments can enforce laws banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ children. The provision barring conversion therapy in Wisconsin has been blocked twice by the Legislature's powerful Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules — a Republican-controlled panel in charge of approving state agency regulations. The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling means the conversion therapy ban can be enacted. The court ruled that the legislative committee has been overreaching its authority in blocking a variety of other state regulations during Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' administration. The lawsuit brought by Evers targeted two votes by the joint committee. One deals with the Department of Safety and Professional Services' conversion therapy ban. The other vote blocked an update to the state's commercial building standards. Republicans who supported suspending the conversion therapy ban have insisted the issue isn't the policy itself, but whether the licensing board had the authority to take the action it did. Evers has been trying since 2020 to get the ban enacted, but the Legislature has stopped it from going into effect. The Legislature's attorney argued that decades of precedent backed up their argument, including a 1992 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling upholding the Legislature's right to suspend state agency rules. Overturning that ruling would be deeply disruptive, attorney Misha Tseytlin argued. Evers argued that by blocking the rule, the legislative committee is taking over powers that the state constitution assigns to the governor. The 1992 ruling conflicts with the constitution and has 'proved unworkable,' Evers said. The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed with Evers. The conversion therapy ban is one of several rules that have been blocked by the legislative committee. Others pertain to environmental regulations, vaccine requirements and public health protections. Evers argued in the lawsuit that the panel has effectively been exercising an unconstitutional 'legislative veto.'
The Independent
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Wisconsin Supreme Court clears the way for a conversion therapy ban to be enacted
The Wisconsin Supreme Court cleared the way Tuesday for the state to institute a ban on conversion therapy. The court ruled that a Republican-controlled legislative committee's rejection of a state agency rule that would ban the practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ people was unconstitutional. The 4-3 ruling from the liberal-controlled court comes amid the national battle over LGBTQ+ rights. It is also part of a broader effort by the Democratic governor, who has vetoed Republican bills targeting transgender high school athletes, to rein in the power of the GOP-controlled Legislature. What is conversion therapy? What is known as conversion therapy is the scientifically discredited practice of using therapy to 'convert' LGBTQ+ people to heterosexuality or traditional gender expectations. The practice has been banned in 23 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank. It is also banned in more than a dozen communities across Wisconsin. Since April 2024, the Wisconsin professional licensing board for therapists, counselors and social workers has labeled conversion therapy as unprofessional conduct. Advocates seeking to ban the practice want to forbid mental health professionals in the state from counseling clients with the goal of changing their sexual orientation or gender identity. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed in March to hear a Colorado case about whether state and local governments can enforce laws banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ children. What is happening in Wisconsin? The provision barring conversion therapy in Wisconsin has been blocked twice by the Legislature's powerful Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules — a Republican-controlled panel in charge of approving state agency regulations. The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling means the conversion therapy ban can be enacted. The court ruled that the legislative committee has been overreaching its authority in blocking a variety of other state regulations during Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' administration. The lawsuit brought by Evers targeted two votes by the joint committee. One deals with the Department of Safety and Professional Services' conversion therapy ban. The other vote blocked an update to the state's commercial building standards. Republicans who supported suspending the conversion therapy ban have insisted the issue isn't the policy itself, but whether the licensing board had the authority to take the action it did. Evers has been trying since 2020 to get the ban enacted, but the Legislature has stopped it from going into effect. Legislative power at stake The Legislature's attorney argued that decades of precedent backed up their argument, including a 1992 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling upholding the Legislature's right to suspend state agency rules. Overturning that ruling would be deeply disruptive, attorney Misha Tseytlin argued. Evers argued that by blocking the rule, the legislative committee is taking over powers that the state constitution assigns to the governor. The 1992 ruling conflicts with the constitution and has 'proved unworkable,' Evers said. The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed with Evers. The issue goes beyond conversion therapy The conversion therapy ban is one of several rules that have been blocked by the legislative committee. Others pertain to environmental regulations, vaccine requirements and public health protections. Evers argued in the lawsuit that the panel has effectively been exercising an unconstitutional 'legislative veto.'
Associated Press
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Wisconsin Supreme Court clears the way for a conversion therapy ban to be enacted
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court cleared the way Tuesday for the state to institute a ban on conversion therapy. The court ruled that a Republican-controlled legislative committee's rejection of a state agency rule that would ban the practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ people was unconstitutional. The 4-3 ruling from the liberal-controlled court comes amid the national battle over LGBTQ+ rights. It is also part of a broader effort by the Democratic governor, who has vetoed Republican bills targeting transgender high school athletes, to rein in the power of the GOP-controlled Legislature. What is conversion therapy? What is known as conversion therapy is the scientifically discredited practice of using therapy to 'convert' LGBTQ+ people to heterosexuality or traditional gender expectations. The practice has been banned in 23 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank. It is also banned in more than a dozen communities across Wisconsin. Since April 2024, the Wisconsin professional licensing board for therapists, counselors and social workers has labeled conversion therapy as unprofessional conduct. Advocates seeking to ban the practice want to forbid mental health professionals in the state from counseling clients with the goal of changing their sexual orientation or gender identity. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed in March to hear a Colorado case about whether state and local governments can enforce laws banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ children. What is happening in Wisconsin? The provision barring conversion therapy in Wisconsin has been blocked twice by the Legislature's powerful Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules — a Republican-controlled panel in charge of approving state agency regulations. The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling means the conversion therapy ban can be enacted. The court ruled that the legislative committee has been overreaching its authority in blocking a variety of other state regulations during Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' administration. The lawsuit brought by Evers targeted two votes by the joint committee. One deals with the Department of Safety and Professional Services' conversion therapy ban. The other vote blocked an update to the state's commercial building standards. Republicans who supported suspending the conversion therapy ban have insisted the issue isn't the policy itself, but whether the licensing board had the authority to take the action it did. Evers has been trying since 2020 to get the ban enacted, but the Legislature has stopped it from going into effect. Legislative power at stake The Legislature's attorney argued that decades of precedent backed up their argument, including a 1992 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling upholding the Legislature's right to suspend state agency rules. Overturning that ruling would be deeply disruptive, attorney Misha Tseytlin argued. Evers argued that by blocking the rule, the legislative committee is taking over powers that the state constitution assigns to the governor. The 1992 ruling conflicts with the constitution and has 'proved unworkable,' Evers said. The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed with Evers. The issue goes beyond conversion therapy The conversion therapy ban is one of several rules that have been blocked by the legislative committee. Others pertain to environmental regulations, vaccine requirements and public health protections. Evers argued in the lawsuit that the panel has effectively been exercising an unconstitutional 'legislative veto.'
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Grandparents offer to 'convert' their trans grandchild during three-month 'masculine' summer
A trans woman has revealed their grandparents offered to provide conversion therapy during a three-month 'masculine' summer holiday in a post that sparked outrage online. The social media user, believed to be from the US, shared photographs of the alleged letter on the 'Am I Overreacting' subreddit and their post quickly went viral - with over 6,300 comments at the time of writing. Their grandparents outlined a programme that comprised a mix of 'physical, mental and spiritual' activities they believed would change the Reddit user's attitude and 'physique'. They proposed frequent haircuts, zero contact with any 'boyfriends' and being addressed by their deadname 'or nobody will take you seriously as a man'. According to the 21-year-old Redditor's caption, they are not close to their conservative grandparents who probably learned about their gender identity from their mother'. They added their father has been in 'full agreement with them' and clarified they've 'never mentioned surgery' to their grandparents. The Reddit user, who works at American diesel engine manufacturer Cummins, also felt it was 'inappropriate' for their grandparents to bring up 'sexual satisfaction' before asking the community whether they were overreacting. The majority of social media users agreed the letter was offensive and ignorant, before the trans grandchild revealed they had sent back an 'equally d***ish letter' to their grandparents. The social media user, believed to be from the US, shared photographs of the alleged letter on the 'Am I Overreacting' subreddit and their post quickly went viral - with over 6,300 comments at the time of writing The original letter was dated June 20, 2025 and began with the grandparents expressing 'shock and dismay' after learning about the Reddit user's gender identity. They warned their grandchild would 'never experience sexual satisfaction' if they went ahead with gender reassignment surgery, adding: 'The plain fact is that you were born to be a man...' In the shocking two-page letter to their grandchild, who clarified they cut off contact with them over their 'far right' views, the elderly couple apparently suggested people might have embarrasingly 'mistaken you for a girl'. 'The solution ,' they wrote, 'is not to confirm or encourage their mistake, but to ask yourself why they would think that. 'You seem willing to go to great and extreme lengths to make the change, but would you put any effort into being manly?' Some of the activities proposed during this three-month 'working vacation' included 'physical' tasks such as cutting and trimming trees, household repairs and 'digging fence posts'. The Reddit user's grandparents also listed tasks like 'learning how to operate machinery' and woodwork, as well as 'spiritual training' and spending 'time with us' while refraining from using the computer or playing any 'video or phone games'. They also recommended resigning from Cummins 'if they are so "woke" as to pay for' their grandchild's sex change surgery. They ended the 'transphobic' letter by saying: 'What you are considering would not only be a physical train wreck but a disaster in family relations, social, and employment relationships, and above all, would be an insult to God that could result in total apostasy and abandonment by God.' The post sparked a flurry of support for the young trans person, as Reddit users criticised the 'toxic' grandparents while expressing shock at their 'completely delusional' proposal for 'free religious indoctrination' in exchange for 'unpaid labour'. One person advised 'binning' the letter and 'living your life on your own terms as best you can', adding: 'Even without the transphobic just seems like a creepy "join our cult"ish letter anyway.' Another also recommended 'throwing that s*** in the trash' while adding: 'They are clearly insane people to even suggest working around the yard and putting up a fence is gonna have any outcome on how you feel inside as a person.' A third person told the Reddit user they 'deserve better' and added: 'I'm sorry you have to even read this letter. I'm sorry your family is not more supportive.' Several people pointed out 'women can enjoy' activities like woodwork and welding as one user asked: 'What is his point?' A woman agreed and replied: 'I know right? According to them, I should be returning all my welding certificates because of my uterus.' In response to one user who advised 'sending back a letter in a similarly concerned tone about how their judgement isn't godly', they said, 'I did sent an equally d***sh letter back to them' before sharing the text. The post sparked a flurry of support for the young trans person, as Reddit users criticised the 'toxic' grandparents while expressing shock at their 'completely delusional' proposal for 'free religious indoctrination' in exchange for 'unpaid labour' 'Truthfully if anything is shocking or dismaying to me, it that you felt entitled to weigh in on something so personal despite not being present throughout my life,' their scathing comeback read. Their letter, praised as a 'masterclass of a response', was signed with their chosen name and a heart as they told their grandparents 'don't expect another letter'.
