A bill opposed by LGBTQ advocates as nullifying the city of Columbia's ban of "conversion therapy" is moving in the South Carolina Senate, with its Republican sponsor saying local governments shouldn't muzzle faith-based counselors, according to The Post and Courier.
A press release from SC United for Justice & Equality stated that the amended bill, S.811, attempts to restrict local governments from passing policies that regulate medical providers' "right of conscience." It is widely seen as an effort to preempt municipalities in South Carolina from passing local ordinances that prohibit licensed therapists from subjecting minors to the widely debunked practice of conversion therapy, which seeks to change one's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Columbia, the state's capital, banned conversion therapy in 2021.
SC United for Justice & Equality, a coalition of more than 30 organizations committed to LGBTQ equality in SC, condemned the passage of the amended S.811. Holly Whitfield, executive director of the Alliance for Full Acceptance, spoke on behalf of the SC United coalition. She said: "Last year, Columbia did the right thing by protecting LGBTQ minors from so-called conversion therapy, which is extremely dangerous and has led far too many young people to [experience] depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse and even suicide.
"By advancing this amended bill, state lawmakers are sanctioning this abusive practicea practice that has been rejected by every leading medical and mental health association in the country. We need to be supporting our LGBTQ youth, affirming them and letting them know that they are loved, respected, and worthy of dignity just as they are. This bill does the opposite, putting a rubber-stamp on efforts to shame and erase LGBTQ young people. The full committee must vote no on this anti-LGBTQ attack."
In the United States, at least 20 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico now prohibit conversion therapy, while executive orders in North Carolina, Michigan and Wisconsin disallow state funding of providers.