Cincinnati becomes second US city to ban ‘gay cure’ therapy
Cincinnati has become the second US city to ban “gay cure” therapy for minors.
The sponsor of an ordinance to ban the practice mentioned late trans teen Leelah Alcorn, who took her own life after her parents subjected her to the “therapy”.
The Cincinnati City Council voted 7-2 for the ordinance to ban the practice, after the Budget and Finance Committee voted it through earlier this week.
Those in violation of the ban will be subject to a $200-a-day fine.
Currently the only other city which bans the practice of “gay cure” therapy, sometimes known as “conversion” therapy, is Washington DC.
The states of California, Illinois, New Jersey and Oregon also ban the practice on minors.
More than 20 Cincinnati citizens attended the hearing, and all but one spoke against it.
One baptist minister Victor Couzens, said: “This council will create another type of bondage for something people themselves have a right to seek liberty from.”
The only out gay council member Chris Seelbach, mentioned Alcorn, and said the law was intended to “save the lives of LGBT people.”
Of Alcorn, he said: “She challenged us to make her death matter, and we’re doing just that.”
