Westerville could be 13th Ohio city to ban anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Another Columbus-area city could soon join a dozen other Ohio municipalities in banning anti-LGBTQ+ techniques known as "conversion therapy."

Westerville City Council held a first reading on Jan. 21 for a proposed ordinance prohibiting healthcare professionals from engaging with minors in conversion therapy, used to attempt to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Councilmember David Grimes argues the measure is needed given several bills passed the Statehouse last year that opponents deem "anti-LGBTQ+," like a law banning certain healthcare for transgender youth.

"As our LGBTQIA+ population continues to be attacked by our state level, and possibly soon to be the federal government as well, it would be in our best interest as the keepers of all of our residents to make sure that we protect everyone that we can with the power that we have," said Grimes during a Jan. 7 meeting, when he announced his intention to begin drafting the ordinance.

The proposal will receive additional review during future city council meetings. If passed, Westerville would be the 13th Ohio municipality to ban the practice, joining cities like Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and Reynoldsburg. Brandon West, a 23-year-old Lorain resident, championed his home city last year to become the 12th to ban conversion therapy, and has since begun advocating for Cuyahoga County to do the same. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Lorain's ban in the video player above.

Westerville's proposal notes that conversion therapy has been discredited by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and more. Practitioners of conversion therapy "employ methods that are in direct violation of the ethical codes outlined by the American Psychological Association."

"Research shows that minors are more adversely impacted by the practice of conversion therapy, having increased cases of depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness and suicide," the measure states. "This ordinance protects the psychological wellbeing of minors, including LGBTQIA+ youth, against exposure to the aforementioned harms."

Vice Chair Megan Reamsnyder voiced support for the proposal during the Jan. 21 reading and said it is a natural extension of the city's non-discrimination ordinance. Chairman Michael Heyeck said he has a couple of concerns about the ordinance he'd like to be addressed during the next reading, like if a minor would have their therapy session made public record if they submit a complaint against a professional for practicing conversion therapy.

Cities like Westerville are passing bans on conversion therapy because Ohio's Statehouse hasn't advanced a proposal to implement a statewide ban. While former Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville) introduced the "Anti-Conversion Therapy Act" last general assembly, which would make law in Ohio the same parameters as Westerville's measure, the legislation didn't receive a single committee hearing.

Rather, the legislature has opted to advance several bills that have been marked with the "anti-LGBTQ+" designation. Along with the trans healthcare measure, which also prohibits trans female athletes' participation in women's sports, the Statehouse passed a bill to ban students from using school restrooms that don't align with their sex assigned at birth, and another that opponents say will result in the "outing" of LGBTQ+ students.