Columbia City Council Against Conversion Therapy for Minors

Columbia City Council supports legislation to ban gay conversion therapy for minors. The council members voice their support Monday for the Youth Mental Health Preservation Act, which was introduced last month in the House. More than a dozen states have already enacted laws prohibiting licensed therapists from trying to change minor’s sexual orientation. The American Psychological Association opposes the practice, saying it doesn’t work and cause harm. Earlier this month, Columbia’s Commission on Human Rights unanimously voted to draft legislation recommending that the city adopt a law making conversion therapy on minors by licensed professionals a misdemeanor.