As the United States Supreme Court weighs whether bans on conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors are constitutional, more than a dozen Ohio municipalities have such bans on the books.
Conversion therapy is a practice by some mental health professionals to try and change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Also known as reparative therapy, the practice can involve techniques including surgery or chemical castration, use of hormonal drugs, electric shock, hypnosis counseling, spiritual interventions and psychoanalysis. The therapy also includes attempts to reduce or eliminate sexual attractions or feelings toward a person of the same gender.
In Oct. 7 oral arguments, the conservative-leaning court sounded sympathetic to a Christian counselor’s claim that Colorado’s ban on the practice violates her free speech rights, USA Today reported.
Colorado officials argued the state’s 2019 law − which is similar to restrictions in about half the states − is needed because of “overwhelming evidence” that conversion therapy harms young people, including by increasing the risk of depression and suicide.
The case comes months after the high court ruled in June that states can ban gender affirming care for minors. And the justices will consider later this term whether states can prevent transgender girls and women from playing on female sports teams.
Overall, 15 communities ban conversion therapy for minors or “at-risk” adults, according to Dispatch research. Locally, Columbus, Reynoldsburg, Westerville and Whitehall all ban conversion therapy for minors. The most recent instance of a conversion therapy ban in Ohio was in September, when the Cuyahoga County Council banned conversion therapy for minors and at-risk adults.
So where in Ohio is conversion therapy banned?
Where is conversion therapy banned for minors in Ohio?
The cities (and counties) that currently ban conversion therapy for minors in Ohio are:
Cole Behrens covers K-12 education and school districts in central Ohio. Have a tip? Contact Cole at cbehrens@dispatch.com or connect with him on X at @Colebehr_report
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: As Supreme Court weighs overturning conversion therapy bans, where is it banned in Ohio?
Reporting by Cole Behrens, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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