Ohio city passes ban on LGBT conversion therapy

Cincinnati (AP) — An Ohio city's council has passed a ban on therapy aimed at changing the sexual orientation of minors.

Cincinnati council members voted 7-2 Wednesday to outlaw the practice known as "conversion therapy." The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that nearly two dozen pastors and other people packed in to council chambers to unsuccessfully oppose the move.

But council voted to prohibit therapy by health professionals designed to change sexual orientation or gender identity, imposing a $200-a-day fine on violators.

There are laws against the practice in California, New Jersey, Oregon, Illinois and Washington, D.C. The American Psychological Association and other health organizations say conversion therapy doesn't work and can increase suicide risks.

According to the Enquirer, "'This is about saving the lives of LGBT people,' said Councilman Chris Seelbach, who led the effort to bring the ban to the city. He spoke of Leelah Alcorn, a transgender teenager who killed herself last December; her suicide note cited the controversial therapy to which she had been subjected."

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The Gayly – December 9, 2015 @ 5:35 p.m.