Mayor Ed Murray and Governor Dannel Malloy signing legislation, banning the practice of conversion therapy on minor clients in Seattle and Connecticut, respectively.
A majority of the United States population lives in jurisdictions that have banned conversion therapy on minors, although significant gaps in protections remain. Opponents of conversion therapy argue that it is abusive to attempt to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity and that the practice is based in pseudoscience. A total of 27 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and more than 100 municipalities have instituted bans on conversion therapy and its governmental funding.
Penalties range from fines to imprisonment. The District of Columbia is the only U.S. jurisdiction whose ban also applies to adults. Three states ban the use of state and federal funds for conversion therapy on minors. In some jurisdictions, bans on conversion therapy have been enjoined on First Amendment grounds.[1]
Americans overwhelmingly support bans on conversion therapy for minors and do not believe it is effective.[2][3]
A 2023 report[4] by The Trevor Project found over 1,300 active conversion therapists still operating in all U.S. states except Vermont and Hawaii.[5]
States
States with bans on conversion therapy for minor clients on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression
Ban only applies to state and federal funding of conversion therapy on minors.
On June 24, 2013, the New Jersey Assembly voted 56–14 in favor of AB 3371.[7] On June 27, 2013, the New Jersey State Senate voted 28–9 to pass the bill.[8] On August 19, 2013, Governor Chris Christie (R) signed the legislation into law, and it took effect the same day.[9]
On March 17, 2015, the Oregon House of Representatives voted 41–18 in favor of HB 2307, and the Oregon State Senate voted 21–8 in favor of the bill on May 7, 2015. On May 18, 2015, Governor Kate Brown (D) signed the bill into law and it went into effect the same day.[18][19]
The state Senate approved SB 121 on February 16, 2017, by a 32–6 vote, and the state House of Representatives concurred on March 15, 2017, by a 44–23 vote. The bill was signed by Governor Susana Martinez (R) on April 7, 2017.[30][31] The law went into effect immediately.
The state House of Representatives approved HB 6695 on May 2, 2017, by a 141–8 vote, and the Senate concurred on May 10, 2017, by a 36–0 vote. The bill was signed by Governor Dannel Malloy (D) the same day and took effect immediately.[33]
H 5277 was passed by the state House 69–0 on May 30, 2017.[35][36][37] The Senate approved the bill 29–0 on June 30. It was signed by Governor Gina Raimondo (D) on July 19, 2017, and took effect immediately.[38]
SB 201 was passed by the state Senate 15–5 on April 4, 2017, and by the Assembly 31–8 on May 9.[40][41][42] The Senate concurred with the House's amendments on the same day. The bill was signed by Governor Brian Sandoval (R) on May 17, 2017,[43][44] and went into effect on January 1, 2018.
SB 5722 passed the state Senate 32–16 on January 19, 2018, and the state House 66–32 on February 28.[46] After the Senate concurred with the amended House version on March 3, it was signed by Governor Jay Inslee (D) on March 28, 2018.[47][48] It took effect on June 7, 2018.
SB 270 passed the state Senate on March 6, 2018, by a vote of 24–1, and passed the state House of Representatives on April 10, 2018, by a vote of 49–2. A conference committee of both chambers concluded on April 27, 2018, with an amended bill. It was approved by both chambers on May 1, and was signed by Governor David Ige (D) on May 25, 2018. The law took effect on July 1, 2018.[50][51]
SB 65 passed the state Senate by a vote of 12–3 on May 17, 2017, and the state House on June 7, 2018, by a vote of 24–14.[53] The bill was signed by GovernorJohn Carney (D) on July 23, 2018, and took effect immediately.[54]
SB 1028 passed the state Senate on March 27, 2018, by a vote of 34–12, and the state House on April 4, 2018, by a vote of 95–27.[56][57] The bill was signed by Governor Larry Hogan (R) on May 15, 2018, and went into effect on October 1, 2018.[58][59]
HB 587 passed the state House on February 8, 2018, by a vote of 179–171, and the state Senate on April 19, 2018, by a vote of 14–10, with an amendment.[61][62] The House accepted the Senate's amendment on May 10, 2018.[63] It was signed by GovernorChris Sununu (R) on June 8, 2018, and took effect on January 1, 2019.[64]
A576 passed the state Assembly on January 15, 2019, by a vote of 134–3, and passed the state Senate that same day by a vote of 57–4.[66][67] The bill was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) on January 25, 2019, and took effect immediately upon receiving his signature. Since 2016, conversion therapy has been banned in New York from coverage by insurers and Medicaid, or from being practiced by any state-licensed or operated mental health facility per executive order.[68]
H140 was passed in the Massachusetts House of Representatives by a vote of 147–8 on March 13, 2019, and in the state Senate by a vote of 34–0 on March 28, 2019. GovernorCharlie Baker (R) signed the legislation into law on April 8, 2019. The law prohibits licensed health care providers from practicing conversion therapy on minors within the state.[70]
On February 19, 2019, the Colorado House of Representatives passed HB19-1129,[72] which would ban conversion therapy on minors, with a vote of 42–20. It was approved by the state Senate with amendments by a vote of 21–13 on March 25, 2019. The House concurred with the amendments on April 5, 2019. The bill was signed by Governor Jared Polis (D) on May 31, and took effect 90 days after adjournment of the legislative session.[73][74]
On May 8, 2019, the Maine House of Representatives passed LD 1025,[76] which would ban conversion therapy on minors, with a vote of 91–46. It later passed in the Maine Senate on May 21, 2019, by a vote of 25–9. GovernorJanet Mills (D) signed the legislation into law on May 29, 2019. The law prohibits licensed health care providers from practicing conversion therapy on minors within the state, and took effect 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session.[77] A bill that previously passed the Maine Legislature in June 2018 was vetoed by former Governor Paul LePage the following month and failed to survive a veto override attempt.[citation needed]
After a bill to ban conversion therapy on minors failed to pass the Utah Senate, GovernorGary Herbert (R) signed an executive order prohibiting conversion therapy on minors by regulation on January 21, 2020.[83] In February 2023, a bill formally passed both houses of the Utah Legislature to "codify" the ban on conversion therapy on LGBT minors into legislation. The Governor of Utah signed the bill into law - effective immediately, a month later in March 2023.[84][85]
On February 3, 2020, the House of Delegates passed HB 386,[87] which would ban conversion therapy on minors, with a vote of 66–27. It was approved by the state Senate on February 17, in a vote of 22–18. GovernorRalph Northam (D) signed the legislation into law on March 2, 2020, and it took effect on July 1, 2020.[citation needed]
On June 14, 2021, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed an executive order prohibiting the use of state or federal funds for conversion therapy on minors.[94][95][96] On June 28, 2023, the Michigan legislature sent a bill to ban the use of conversion therapy on minors to Governor Whitmer.[97] Whitmer signed the bill on July 26, 2023.[98]
The members of the Administrative Rules Committee voted 8-7 on Tuesday, June 8, to authorize the prohibition proposed by the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners, which oversees licensing for social workers in the state.[100]
Following a legislative attempt at a ban being stripped from the budget bill, Governor Tim Walz (D) signed an executive order prohibiting conversion therapy on minors by regulation on July 19, 2021.[102] In April 2023, the Minnesota Legislature formally passed a bill to codify and implement to legally ban conversion therapy practices on minors and vulnerable adults, and it was signed into law on April 27, 2023. The law will go into effect on August 1.[103][104]
On August 16, 2022, Governor Tom Wolf (D) signed an executive order prohibiting the use of state funds for conversion therapy on minors.[105] In May 2024, five licensing boards agreed to resolutions barring the use of conversion therapy.[106]
On September 18, 2024, Governor Andy Beshear (D) signed an executive order prohibiting the use of state funds for conversion therapy on minors, and barring medical professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors.[108]
Territories
Territories with bans on conversion therapy on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression
On December 2, 2014, the Council of the District of Columbia voted unanimously (12 ayes) in favor of B20-0501. On December 22, 2014, Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) signed the legislation into law. The act passed congressional review and took effect on March 11, 2015.
On January 16, 2019, Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) signed B22-0972, a bill approved unanimously by the City Council extending the ban to adults who are under the care of a conservator or guardian.[110] The law went into effect on March 13, 2019.[111][112]
On March 27, 2019, GovernorRicardo Rosselló (PNP) issued an executive order prohibiting conversion therapy of minors, taking effect immediately.[114] Territorial agencies were provided 90 days for promulgation of the new order.
Counties, municipalities and communities
Counties, municipalities and communities with bans on conversion therapy for minors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression
Ban suspended under a decision by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.[1]
On June 8, 2016, Miami Beach voted to ban conversion therapy. The ban was sponsored by Commissioner John Elizabeth Alemàn and was unanimously approved by the City Commission.[118][119] The ban took effect on June 18.
On September 13, 2016, the City Commission of Wilton Manors unanimously approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy. The ban took effect that same day.[121]
On August 1, 2016, the Seattle City Council voted to ban conversion therapy on minors.[123][124] The ban was sponsored by councilmember Lorena González and was unanimously approved by all other eight city councilmembers. Mayor Ed Murray signed the ordinance on August 3 and it took effect on October 2.
On October 13, 2016, the Miami City Commission voted 3–2 in favor of banning the use of conversion therapy on minors.[126][127] The ban was sponsored by Commissioner Francis Suarez and took effect that same day.
On November 7, 2016, the City Commission of West Palm Beach unanimously approved an ordinance in its second reading banning conversion therapy. The ban took effect upon adoption.[129]
On November 14, 2016, the Bay Harbor Islands Town Council approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy. The ordinance came into effect that same day.[130]
The Pittsburgh City Council voted in favor of an ordinance prohibiting conversion therapy on minors, by a vote of 9–0, on December 13, 2016. The ordinance went into effect on December 20, following Mayor Bill Peduto's signature.[132]
On January 3, 2017, an ordinance banning conversion therapy in Boynton Beach passed its first reading.[134] The ordinance passed its second reading on January 17 and went into effect immediately.[133]
On December 13, 2016, the Lake Worth City Commission unanimously passed an ordinance banning conversion therapy on minors, in its first reading.[136] The ordinance passed its second reading, in a 5–0 vote, on January 10, 2017, and went into effect on January 20.
An ordinance banning conversion therapy passed its first reading in the El Portal Village Council in October 2016. The ordinance passed its second reading on January 24 and went into effect that same day.[137]
On February 8, 2017, the Key West City Commission approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy, in its first reading. The ordinance passed its second reading on March 7 and took effect immediately.
On March 13, the City Council of Columbus approved an ordinance, banning the use of conversion therapy on minors, in its first reading. The ordinance was introduced by Council President Zach Klein. It unanimously passed its second reading on March 27 and took effect immediately.[143][144]
On April 6, the Tampa City Council unanimously approved a conversion therapy ban. The ban went into effect immediately.[146] This ordinance was struck down by a federal court in October 2019.[147]
On April 18, 2017, the Delray Beach City Commission approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy, in its first reading.[149] The ordinance unanimously passed its second reading in the City Commission on May 2.[150] The ban took effect immediately.
On June 27, 2017, the Wellington Village Council approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy, in its second reading. The ban took effect immediately.[154]
On June 28, 2017, the Dayton City Council passed an ordinance banning conversion therapy.[156][157] The ordinance passed its second reading on July 5 and went into force immediately.
On June 22, 2017, the Philadelphia City Council approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy. It was signed by MayorJim Kenney on July 11, 2017.[159] The ordinance went into effect immediately.
On July 19, 2017, the Allentown City Council approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy.[161][162] It was signed by MayorEd Pawlowski the next day.[163] The ordinance went into effect immediately.
On August 7, 2017, the Greenacres City Council approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy, in a 4–1 vote.[165] The ordinance took effect immediately.[166]
On August 21, 2017, the Athens City Council unanimously approved an ordinance banning conversion therapy within city limits.[168] The ordinance went into effect immediately.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors passed, in a 3–2 vote, an ordinance banning conversion therapy.[170][171] The ordinance went into effect 30 days later, upon filing with the Arizona Department of State.
The Boca Raton City Council voted 4–1 to enact an ordinance banning conversion therapy on October 10, 2017.[173][174] The ordinance went into effect immediately.
The City Commission of Oakland Park approved a conversion therapy ban on October 18, 2017, in a unanimous 4–0 vote.[176] The ordinance went into force upon adoption.
On December 19, 2017, the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners approved, in a 5–2 vote, an ordinance banning conversion therapy. The ordinance applies to all incorporated and unincorporated municipalities in the county. It took effect upon filing with the Florida Department of State on December 21, 2017.[178]
The Reading City Council approved a conversion therapy ban on December 18, 2017, in a unanimous vote. It was signed by Mayor Wally Scott on December 21, 2017.[180] The ordinance went into force upon adoption.
On January 9, 2018, the Broward County Commission approved unanimously an ordinance banning conversion therapy.[184] The ordinance took effect upon filing with the Florida Department of State, which happened that same day.
The Erie County Legislature unanimously approved a conversion therapy ban on February 15, 2018.[188] The ordinance was controversially named the "Prevention of Emotional Neglect and Childhood Endangerment" (P.E.N.C.E) after Vice President Mike Pence. After County Executive Mark Poloncarz had provided his signature on March 5, the law went into effect upon filing with the New York Department of State on March 7, 2018.[189][190]
On March 6, the Yardley Borough Council unanimously approved an anti-discrimination ordinance banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and prohibiting conversion therapy on minors.[192][193] The ordinance went into force five days later.
On March 27, 2018, the Milwaukee Common Council passed (12–2) a conversion therapy ordinance banning the practice in the city of Milwaukee.[198] Mayor Tom Barrett signed the ordinance into law on April 4, and it went into effect 10 days later.[199]
In June 2017, a bill to ban conversion therapy was introduced to the New York City Council.[201] The City Council passed (43–2) the ban on November 30. Mayor Bill de Blasio returned the bill unsigned on January 5, thus allowing it to become law. It went into effect 120 days later.[202] The ban applies to minors as well as adults. In September 2019, following a lawsuit by an anti-LGBT hate group,[203]Alliance Defending Freedom, the City Council moved to repeal the ban on conversion therapy for adults, citing how a ruling by the Second Circuit or the conservative Supreme Court could damage efforts against the practice nationwide.[204]
On May 21, 2018, an ordinance to ban conversion therapy was unanimously approved by the city's Common Council.[206] The ordinance went into effect immediately.
On July 3, 2018, an ordinance to ban conversion therapy was approved unanimously by the City Council,[210] and on July 17, 2018, was approved in a second and final reading.[211] The ordinance was dubbed the Appropriate Mental Health Services Ordinance.[212] It went into effect immediately.[citation needed]
On July 10, 2018, an ordinance to ban conversion therapy was approved by the city's Common Council.[214] The ordinance went into effect on July 20, 2018.
On June 20, 2018, an ordinance to ban conversion therapy on minors was unanimously approved by the Ulster County Legislature.[216] It was signed by County Executive Michael P. Hein on July 20, 2018, and took effect upon filing with the New York Secretary of State on July 27, 2018.[217][218]
In July 2018, consumer protection legislation was introduced to the City Council to prohibit conversion therapy.[220] On July 24, 2018, an ordinance to ban conversion therapy on minors was unanimously approved by the City Council. It was deemed duly adopted on July 25 and took effect 30 days later.[219]
On July 9, 2018, the Albany County Legislature approved an ordinance to ban conversion therapy by a vote of 37–1.[222] The ordinance was signed and adopted by the County Executive on August 2, 2018, and was filed with the New York Secretary of State on August 31, 2018.[223]
On October 15, 2018, the Lakewood City Council unanimously approved a measure to ban conversion therapy.[228][229] Fines for violating the law range from $500 to $1,000.
On October 1, 2018, the Westchester County Board of Legislators unanimously voted to ban the practice of conversion therapy.[231][232] County Executive George Latimer signed the ordinance into law on October 18,[233] and on October 26, 2018, it was filed with the New York Department of State.[230] Those practicing conversion therapy may face a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine or up to one year imprisonment.[234]
On November 28, 2018, the Newtown Township (Bucks County) Board of Supervisors voted 4–0 to prohibit conversion therapy in a bill establishing a Human Rights Commission, enacting immediately upon passage.[236][237]
On January 7, 2019, the Denver City Council unanimously voted to ban the practice of conversion therapy,[241] and the ordinance was signed into law by Mayor Michael Hancock the following day.[240] Violations of the ordinance may be subject to penalties of $150 to $999 per violation.[242] The ban was seen as "largely symbolic", as the city had no known practitioners of conversion therapy.[243]
An ordinance banning the practice of conversion therapy was approved by the Shorewood Village Board on June 17, 2019, and went into effect immediately upon passage.[247] The ban does not apply to free services.[248]
In a unanimous vote on May 28, 2019, the Alachua County Commission voted to prohibit the practice of conversion therapy on minors within the county. The bill took effect 10 days after filing with the Florida Secretary of State. Violators of the ordinance may be fined $500 per violation.[252][253]
An ordinance to ban conversion therapy on minors was unanimously passed by the Kent City Council on July 17, 2019, and became effective that same day.[254]
On July 8, 2019, the Racine Common Council's Finance and Personnel Committee unanimously approved a conversion therapy ordinance banning the practice.[256] On July 16, the council passed the ordinance 11–3, and Mayor Cory Mason signed it into law on July 18.[257][258] It allows for fines up to $1000 for each day the ordinance is violated.[256]
An ordinance banning conversion therapy on minors was passed by the Superior City Council on August 20, 2019, and took effect immedidately upon passage.[262]
On September 12, 2019, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission passed, in its first reading, an ordinance, which among other things, bans the use of conversion therapy on minors. The ban unanimously passed its second and final reading on September 17 and took effect immediately.[266][267][268]
The Ferndale City Council unanimously passed a conversion therapy ban on October 14, 2019, making the practice a misdemeanor and punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a fine of $500.[275]
A conversion therapy ordinance was introduced on October 24, 2019,[citation needed] and was passed unanimously in its final reading on November 14.[277][278]
An ordinance banning the use of conversion therapy on minors was unanimously passed by the Minneapolis City Council on November 22, 2019. It was signed by Mayor Jacob Frey on November 26 and was published four days later.[280]
On December 23, 2019, Mayor Lyda Krewson signed an ordinance prohibiting the use of conversion therapy on minors. The ordinance had previously been approved by the Board of Aldermen.[282]
The Berkley City Council held a first reading on an ordinance to prohibit conversion therapy in early November. The ordinance passed its final reading on December 2, 2019, and went into effect 30 days later.[284]
An ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors was approved unanimously by the Duluth City Council on December 16, 2019. It went into effect 30 days later on January 15, 2020.[286]
An ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors was approved unanimously by the Tallahassee City Council on April 8, 2020, and it went into effect immediately.[295][296]
An ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors was approved 8–2 on April 22, 2020,[298][299] and went into effect upon publication on April 28.[citation needed] Mayor Mike Matson stated the bill was inspired in part by Davenport's score on the Human Rights Campaign's municpital equality index.[300]
A ordinance to ban conversion therapy was introduced to the City Council in May 2020. It passed the Council on June 1, by a 7–0 vote, and went into effect that same day after Mayor Mike Kelly had given his signature.[302]
On June 22, 2020, the Red Wing City Council passed an ordinance to ban conversion therapy, taking effect two weeks later.[304] It went into effect on July 6, 2020.[305]
The St. Paul City Council unanimously passed a conversion therapy ban on June 17, 2020, with penalties of up to $1,000.[307] The ordinance went into effect one month later.[305]
On July 27, 2020, the Madison Heights City Council voted unanimously make conversion therapy by healthcare providers a criminal offense subject to imprisonment and fines.[308]
On August 10, 2020, the Royal Oak City Commission passed an ordinance which makes it a criminal misdemeanor – punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine – for a mental health professional to engage in conversion therapy with a minor.[309] The ordinance was drafted after a unanimous resolution on June 22, 2020.[310]
The Winona City Council unanimously (6–0) passed a conversion therapy ban on August 17, 2020.[305] One council member was absent during the vote.[314] The ordinance makes the practice subject an administrative offense subject to a fine,[315] and it went into effect in September 2020.[305]
The West Allis Common Council passed a conversion therapy ban on September 1, 2020, by a 6–3 vote.[319] The ordinance makes conversion therapy on minors illegal and punishable by a $5,000 fine.[319]
On September 8, 2020, the Township of Middletown's Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to establish a Human Relations Commission.[321][320] Under this ordinance, conversion therapy performed on a minor by a mental health professional is unlawful discrimination.[320]
On September 2, 2020, Louisville Councilman Bill Hollander filed an ordinance to ban conversion therapy by licensed professionals and to prevent public funds from being used for the practice.[323] On September 9, the Louisville Metro Council's Community Affairs, Health and Education Committee unanimously voted to recommend the ordinance,[324] and on September 17, the Council passed it by a 24–1 vote.[325] The ordinance went into effect two weeks later after Mayor Greg Fischer signed it into law on October 1.[326]
The Kenosha City Council passed an ordinance outlawing conversion therapy on October 5, 2020, by a 14–1 vote.[328] The ordinance makes conversion therapy for compensation – or knowingly assisting or facilitating such a practice – punishable by a fine and 90 days in jail.[328]
On January 5, 2021, the Robbinsdale City Council voted unanimously to pass a first reading of a conversion therapy ban.[329] They passed a second reading of the conversion therapy ban, also unanimously, on February 2, 2021.[330] The ban makes conversion therapy performed by a medical practice a level five violation punishable by a fine.[330]
The Lincoln City Council passed a conversion therapy ban, introduced by Councilman James Michael Bowers, by a 5–1 vote with one member absent on February 22, 2021.[331] The measure was praised by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird.[331] The ban applies only to licensed mental health professionals.[332]
On April 6, 2021, the Scranton City Council voted 4–0 (with President Bill Gaughan absent), proactively barring licensed mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors.[333] The measure was proposed that March by Councilwoman Jessica Rothchild, the council's first openly gay member.[334]
On April 19, 2021, the Bloomington City Council voted 6–1 to ban conversion therapy for minors and vulnerable adults.[335] In contrast to other – largely proactive – bans in Minnesota, at the time of the ban, Bloomington had two licensed providers who practiced conversion therapy on minors.[336]
On April 20, 2021, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to ban the practice of conversion therapy by licensed providers.[338] While an explicit exception for religious organizations was removed from the ordinance, the ban implicitly does not apply to unlicensed clergy or pastoral counselors.[339][340] The measure was inspired by a similar ban in Roeland Park.[341]
On June 15, 2021, the Columbia City Council passed an ordinance in a 4–3 vote which makes conversion therapy a civil violation for licensed counselors or therapists, punishable by a $500 fine.[347][348] The measure had unanimously passed a first reading on May 4 of that year,[349][350] It was denounced by Republican Senator Josh Kimbrell, who sent a letter to Attorney General Alan Wilson suggesting he take legal action to overturn it.[351][352] On May 12, 2021,[353] Kimbrell introduced a bill in the South Carolina Senate called the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act, which seeks to prevent cities from banning conversion therapy. The measure was met with support from Republicans on the chamber's Committee on Medical Affairs.[354][355]
On May 11, 2021, the Norman, Oklahoma City Council considered a ban on the use of city funds for conversion therapy on minors,[357][358] but some council members felt the ordinance did not go far enough,[359] and no action was taken.[360] On May 24, the Norman Human Rights Commission unanimously recommended the council ban conversion therapy on minors by medical professionals,[361] and on June 22, an ordinance amended from the original to include this provision – making the practice a misdemeanor[362] punishable by up to $750 or up to 60 days in jail – passed a first reading.[363][364] In a unanimous vote on June 29, the council passed the ordinance.[365][366]
On August 2, 2021, the Charleston City Council passed a bill prohibiting mental health providers from using conversion therapy on minors by a vote of 14–9.[368] Violations are punishable by license revocation and a fine of $1,000.[369] This made Charleston the first city in West Virginia to ban conversion therapy.[368]
On August 16, 2021, the Ann Arbor City Council unanimously [371] passed an ordinance prohibiting mental health providers and professional counselors from using conversion therapy on minors. Violations are punishable by no more than $500 per day.[372]
On September 21, 2021, the Prairie Village city council voted 10–2 to draft an ordinance to ban conversion therapy for minors.[373] On October 5, the council voted 11–1 to progress the draft to a final vote,[374] and on October 18, they voted 11–1 to pass the ordinance, with violations resulting in a fine up to $1000 for licensed practitioners. The ban goes into effect on October 26.[375]
On October 5, 2021, the Morgantown city council voted 7–0 to move an ordinance banning conversion therapy on minors to a final approval following a first reading. Final approval was given in a 7–0 vote on October 19, 2021.[376]
On June 13, 2022, the Linn County Board of Supervisors voted 2–1 to ban conversion therapy on minors.[381] The ban applies only to unincorporated areas of the county.
On April 3, 2023, the Jackson County Legislature voted to ban conversion therapy.[389] A ban had previously failed that March.[390] The ban was signed on April 19, 2023, by Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr.[391]
On September 24, 2018, the Eau Claire School Board voted unanimously (7 ayes) in favor of Board Policy 453.7 - Student Mental Health and Wellness Education, which included a clause stating "the Eau Claire Area School District shall exclusively enter into School-based health center agreements with health clinics and/or providers that agree to abide by the District's Nondiscrimination Policy for Students. The District shall not enter into agreements with health clinics and/or providers that endorse or engage in the practice of conversion therapy." The policy went into effect immediately.[393]
Medical, psychological and psychiatric organizations
On May 16, 2023, the Waterloo, Iowa City Council voted 6–1 to ban conversion therapy on minors by medical professionals.[415][416] On August 21, 2023, this ordinance was removed.[416]
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Puerto Rico have most of the same protections and rights as non-LGBT individuals. Public discussion and debate about sexual orientation and gender identity issues has increased, and some legal changes have been made. Supporters and opponents of legislation protecting the rights of LGBT persons can be found in both of the major political parties. Public opposition still exists due, in large part, to the strong influence of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as socially conservative Protestants. Puerto Rico has a great influence on the legal rights of LGBT citizens. Same-sex marriage has been legal in the commonwealth since July 2015, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex marriage bans are unconstitutional.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of New Hampshire enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTQ people, with most advances in LGBT rights occurring in the state within the past two decades. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in New Hampshire, and the state began offering same-sex couples the option of forming a civil union on January 1, 2008. Civil unions offered most of the same protections as marriages with respect to state law, but not the federal benefits of marriage. Same-sex marriage in New Hampshire has been legally allowed since January 1, 2010, and one year later New Hampshire's civil unions expired, with all such unions converted to marriages. New Hampshire law has also protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation since 1998 and gender identity since 2018. Additionally, a conversion therapy ban on minors became effective in the state in January 2019. In effect since January 1, 2024, the archaic common-law "gay panic defence" was formally abolished; by legislation implemented within August 2023.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Michigan enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. Michigan in June 2024 was ranked "the most welcoming U.S. state for LGBT individuals". Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Michigan under the U.S. Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas, although the state legislature has not repealed its sodomy law. Same-sex marriage was legalised in accordance with 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges decision. Discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity is unlawful since July 2022, was re-affirmed by the Michigan Supreme Court - under and by a 1976 statewide law, that explicitly bans discrimination "on the basis of sex". The Michigan Civil Rights Commission have also ensured that members of the LGBT community are not discriminated against and are protected in the eyes of the law since 2018 and also legally upheld by the Michigan Supreme Court in 2022. In March 2023, a bill passed the Michigan Legislature by a majority vote - to formally codify both "sexual orientation and gender identity" anti-discrimination protections embedded within Michigan legislation. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill on March 16, 2023. In 2024, Michigan repealed “the last ban on commercial surrogacy within the US” - for individuals and couples and reformed the parentage laws, that acknowledges same sex couples and their families with children.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Ohio enjoy most of the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Ohio since 1974, and same-sex marriage has been legally recognized since June 2015 as a result of Obergefell v. Hodges. Ohio statutes do not address discrimination on account of sexual orientation and gender identity; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBTQ people is illegal in 2020. In addition, a number of Ohio cities have passed anti-discrimination ordinances providing protections in housing and public accommodations. Conversion therapy is also banned in a number of cities. In December 2020, a federal judge invalidated a law banning sex changes on an individual's birth certificate within Ohio.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of West Virginia face legal challenges not faced by non-LGBT persons. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1976, and same-sex marriage has been recognized since October 2014. West Virginia statutes do not address discrimination on account of sexual orientation or gender identity; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBTQ people is illegal.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Minnesota have the same legal rights as non-LGBTQ people. Minnesota became the first U.S. state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in 1993, protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in the fields of employment, housing, and public accommodations. In 2013, the state legalized same-sex marriage, after a bill allowing such marriages was passed by the Minnesota Legislature and subsequently signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton. This followed a 2012 ballot measure in which voters rejected constitutionally banning same-sex marriage.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Florida have federal protections, but many face legal difficulties on the state level that are not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity became legal in the state after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, although the state legislature has not repealed its sodomy law. Same-sex marriage has been legal in the state since January 6, 2015. Discrimination on account of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations is outlawed following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County. In addition, several cities and counties, comprising about 55 percent of Florida's population, have enacted anti-discrimination ordinances. These include Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee and West Palm Beach, among others. Conversion therapy is also banned in a number of cities in the state, mainly in the Miami metropolitan area, but has been struck down by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. In September 2023, Lake Worth Beach, Florida became an official "LGBT sanctuary city" to protect and defend LGBT rights.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Georgia enjoy most of the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. LGBTQ rights in the state have been a recent occurrence, with most improvements occurring from the 2010s onward. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1998, although the state legislature has not repealed its sodomy law. Same-sex marriage has been legal in the state since 2015, in accordance with Obergefell v. Hodges. In addition, the state's largest city Atlanta, has a vibrant LGBTQ community and holds the biggest Pride parade in the Southeast. The state's hate crime laws, effective since June 26, 2020, explicitly include sexual orientation.
The U.S. state of New York has generally been seen as socially liberal in regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) rights. LGBT travel guide Queer in the World states, "The fabulosity of Gay New York is unrivaled on Earth, and queer culture seeps into every corner of its five boroughs". The advocacy movement for LGBT rights in the state has been dated as far back as 1969 during the Stonewall riots in New York City. Same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults has been legal since the New York v. Onofre case in 1980. Same-sex marriage has been legal statewide since 2011, with some cities recognizing domestic partnerships between same-sex couples since 1998. Discrimination protections in credit, housing, employment, education, and public accommodation have explicitly included sexual orientation since 2003 and gender identity or expression since 2019. Transgender people in the state legally do not have to undergo sex reassignment surgery to change their sex or gender on official documents since 2014. In addition, both conversion therapy on minors and the gay and trans panic defense have been banned since 2019. Since 2021, commercial surrogacy has been legally available within New York State. In 2024, the Constitution of New York was amended to explicitly ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights in the U.S. state of Iowa have evolved significantly in the 21st century. Iowa began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on April 27, 2009 following a ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court, making Iowa the fourth U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples may also adopt, and state laws ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Wisconsin enjoy most of the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. However, the transgender community may face some legal issues not experienced by cisgender residents, due in part to discrimination based on gender identity not being included in Wisconsin's anti-discrimination laws, nor is it covered in the state's hate crime law. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Wisconsin since October 6, 2014, when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider an appeal in the case of Wolf v. Walker. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is banned statewide in Wisconsin, and sexual orientation is a protected class in the state's hate crime laws. It approved such protections in 1982, making it the first state in the United States to do so.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Colorado enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Colorado since 1972. Same-sex marriage has been recognized since October 2014, and the state enacted civil unions in 2013, which provide some of the rights and benefits of marriage. State law also prohibits discrimination on account of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations and the use of conversion therapy on minors. In July 2020, Colorado became the 11th U.S. state to abolish the gay panic defense.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania enjoy most of the same rights as non-LGBTQ people. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Pennsylvania. Same-sex couples and families headed by same-sex couples are eligible for all of the protections available to opposite-sex married couples. Pennsylvania was the final Mid-Atlantic state without same-sex marriage, indeed lacking any form of same-sex recognition law until its statutory ban was overturned on May 20, 2014.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of North Carolina may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents, or LGBT residents of other states with more liberal laws.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Arizona may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Arizona, and same-sex couples are able to marry and adopt. Nevertheless, the state provides only limited protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Several cities, including Phoenix and Tucson, have enacted ordinances to protect LGBTQ people from unfair discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Nebraska may face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Nebraska, and same-sex marriage has been recognized since June 2015 as a result of Obergefell v. Hodges. The state prohibits discrimination on account of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment and housing following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County and a subsequent decision of the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission. In addition, the state's largest city, Omaha, has enacted protections in public accommodations.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the U.S. state of Kentucky still face some legal challenges not experienced by other people. Same-sex sexual activity in Kentucky has been legally permitted since 1992, although the state legislature has not repealed its sodomy statute for same-sex couples. Same-sex marriage is legal in Kentucky under the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. The decision, which struck down Kentucky's statutory and constitutional bans on same-sex marriages and all other same-sex marriage bans elsewhere in the country, was handed down on June 26, 2015.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights in the U.S. state of Alaska have evolved significantly over the years. Since 1980, same-sex sexual conduct has been allowed, and same-sex couples can marry since October 2014. The state offers few legal protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, leaving LGBTQ people vulnerable to discrimination in housing and public accommodations; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBTQ people is illegal under federal law. In addition, four Alaskan cities, Anchorage, Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, representing about 46% of the state population, have passed discrimination protections for housing and public accommodations.
This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBTQ rights that took place in the year 2016.
Conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of attempting to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. As of December 2023, twenty-eight countries have bans on conversion therapy, fourteen of them ban the practice by any person: Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal and Spain; seven ban its practice by medical professionals only: Albania, Brazil, Chile, India, Israel, Taiwan and Vietnam; another seven, named Argentina, Fiji, Nauru, Paraguay, Samoa, Switzerland and Uruguay, have indirect bans in that diagnoses based solely on sexual orientation or gender identity are banned without specifically banning conversion therapy, this effectively amounts to a ban on health professionals since they would not generally engage in therapy without a diagnosis. In addition, some jurisdictions within Australia, the Philippines and the United States also ban conversion therapy. In South Africa, the case law has found conversion therapy to be unlawful. Bills banning conversion therapy are being considered in Austria, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Poland, while bills restricting conversion therapy are being considered in Denmark, Italy, Japan, Sweden and Thailand. At a supranational level, the European Union is considering banning conversion therapy across its Member States, while an ongoing citizens' initiative started collecting signatures in May 2024 also calling on the European Commission to outlaw such practices.
↑ ARTICLE VII. - PROHIBITION OF CONVERSION THERAPY ON MINORS Page 337: ORDINANCE NO. 2017-02 OF THE CITY OF LAKE WORTH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 15, OFFENSES, TO ADD ARTICLE VII, PROHIBITING THE PRACTICE OF CONVERSION THERAPY ON MINORS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, THE REPEAL OF LAWS IN CONFLICT, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE
1 2 Regular Village Council Meeting January 24, 2017Archived February 2, 2017, at the Wayback Machine Page 7: AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF EL PORTAL, FLORIDA, TO CREATE A NEW CHAPTER IN THE VILLAGE OF EL PORTAL CODE OF ORDINANCES TO PROHIBIT WITHIN THE GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES OF THE VILLAGE OF EL PORTAL THE USE OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY CHANGE EFFORTS WITH MINORS, INCLUDING REPARATIVE AND CONVERSION THERAPY
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
