Ohio lawmakers are bringing back a bill to ban conversion therapy. This therapy tries to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It has been proven to be harmful. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association both reject it. In recent years, several Ohio cities have already banned the practice. Now, lawmakers want to make it illegal across the entire state of Ohio.
What is Senate Bill 71 and why does it matter?
Senate Bill 71 was introduced in February by Senators Nickie J. Antonio and Beth Liston. This bill aims to stop healthcare professionals from using conversion therapy on minors. Conversion therapy includes harmful practices like electric shocks, food and water deprivation, and chemicals that cause nausea. These methods are dangerous and have been shown to cause harm to young people. A 2021 survey by The Trevor Project found that 13% of LGBTQ+ youth reported being subjected to conversion therapy, many of them under the age of 18. If passed, Senate Bill 71 would allow state licensing boards to revoke or suspend the licenses of any healthcare workers who use these harmful methods on minors.
The growing support for banning conversion therapy in Ohio cities
More Ohio cities are joining the fight against conversion therapy. Westerville recently became the 13th city to ban this harmful practice. Other cities like Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, and Reynoldsburg have also taken similar actions. Many people in these cities, including residents and former pastors, have shared their personal stories of how conversion therapy affected their lives and the lives of their loved ones. One former pastor explained that her daughter had been subjected to conversion therapy and supported the city’s decision to ban it. The support for this ban is growing stronger every day.
The push for statewide legislation
Senators Antonio and Liston are reintroducing the bill after seeing the success of city-level bans like the one in Westerville. However, the journey for a statewide ban has not been easy. Previous attempts have failed in the Statehouse. Last year, former Rep. Mary Lightbody introduced a similar bill, the “Anti-Conversion Therapy Act,” but it did not make it to a committee hearing. Despite the challenges, Antonio and Liston are determined to see this bill passed. While the bill has not yet gained support from Republican lawmakers, it is co-sponsored by other members of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
The fight for equality in Ohio continues with the Ohio Fairness Act
Along with Senate Bill 71, Senator Antonio is also pushing for the Ohio Fairness Act. This bill would stop discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It aims to protect people from being treated unfairly in jobs, housing, and other areas of life. However, the Fairness Act has not been passed in Ohio either. Despite gaining bipartisan support in the past, the bill is now co-sponsored only by Senate Democrats. Antonio has introduced this bill multiple times, but it has not yet made it to law.
Challenges still remain for LGBTQ+ rights in Ohio
While lawmakers are pushing for laws to protect LGBTQ+ people, there are still many challenges. The Statehouse has not yet repealed Ohio’s outdated same-sex marriage ban. It has also not removed old HIV criminalization laws. Instead, other bills that target transgender healthcare and education have gained attention. These bills have caused concern among LGBTQ+ youth and advocates. More young people are calling crisis hotlines, worried about their safety and rights. The fight for LGBTQ+ equality continues, but progress is slow.
