According to The State, yesterday the Columbia, South Carolina City Council, by a vote of 4-3, passed a ban on licensed professional therapists offering conversion therapy for minors. Violations will result in a $500 civil fine. The paper reports:
A number of people spoke on the conversion therapy ban during Tuesday’s [City Council] meeting. Eleven of the 14 speakers were against the measure, with several saying they believed it infringed on religious liberties and First Amendment rights. Several of the speakers against the ordinance were connected to Columbia International University, a Christian college in North Columbia.
[Councilman Howard] Duvall said the ordinance would not interfere with conversations between a pastor and a resident..... "It is clearly aimed at licensed practitioners. Most of the pastors in South Carolina are not licensed practitioners licensed by the state of South Carolina."
By a vote of 6-1, Council also passed a resolution supporting statewide legislation outlawing conversion therapy for minors.
