Milwaukee council sends ordinance against 'ex-gay' therapy to mayor

The Milwaukee Common Council overwhelming approved a measure to prohibit therapists from practicing “ex-gay” therapy on minors.

The vote was 12-2 with one abstention.

The measure now goes to Mayor Tom Barrett, who has indicated his support.

The full council vote followed a recommendation earlier this month from the public safety and health committee.

The ordinance was introduced by Ald. Cavalier “Chevy” Johnson, with co-sponsorship from Alds. Tony Zielinski, Jose G. Perez and Nik Kovac.

“Ex-gay” or conversion therapy has been condemned by the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Medical Association and many more groups for the devastating impact it can have on young people — and because it is a practice based in prejudice against LGBT people.

“The practice is scientifically unfounded,” said Johnson. And it has “no place in the city of Milwaukee.”

The city measure would make it unlawful for any person to practice conversion therapy with anyone under 18. The penalty for violating the ordinance would be $500 to $1,000.

Conversion therapies are defined in the ordinance as “any practices or treatments offered or rendered to consumers for a fee … that seek to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Leaders in the community endorsing the measure include Milwaukee LGBT Community Center executive director Tony Snell-Rodriguez, Diverse & Resilient president and CEO Gerry Coon, FORGE  organizer Ashley Altadonna, Milwaukee Equal Rights Commission chair Jeffrey Roman, Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Jason Rae, Cream City Foundation president and CEO Brett Blomme, OutReach Center director Steve Starkey, Pathfinders senior vice president Julie Bock, Center for Community Healing therapist Owen Karcher, Fair Wisconsin Education Fund executive director Megin McDonell and Human Rights Campaign state manager Wendy Strout. Ahead of the vote, in solidarity, they signed a statement calling for the ordinance’s adoption.

And, on March 27, when it seemed opposition threatened the measure, the community united for a council meeting described as tense and charged.

Opponents had alleged the ordinance would infringe on “faith-based counseling” and threatened religious freedom.

The day before the council meeting, Johnson released a letter from the city attorney’s office stating the legislation would be found by a reviewing court to be constitutionally sound.

He also said, “This legislation … does not affect the faith-based community. The measure only affects therapists that charge a fee for service, imposing a $500 to $1,000 fine for each violation, with each day practicing conversion therapy being considered a separate violation. If someone would like to seek free counseling from their faith leader, that remains possible under this legislation. This proposal also would not prohibit churches from preaching, ministering or otherwise speaking about the issue.”

With the vote March 27, Milwaukee became the first city in the state to ban conversion therapy.

Strout, with HRC, said, “We thank the Milwaukee Common Council and the team at the Milwaukee LGBT Center for putting the well-being and safety of our children first and hope their leadership can be an example to cities across the state.”

Michael Vinson, chairman emeritus of Fair Wisconsin, added, “We applaud the city of Milwaukee for taking this important and bold step in protecting the LGBTQ community from these destructive, dangerous practices. We remain hopeful that communities across the state will follow Milwaukee’s lead in helping to ensure a fair, safe and inclusive Wisconsin for all.”

A number of municipalities have enacted measures to protect young people from practitioners of conversion therapy.

Also, nine states and the District of Columbia have laws or regulations against the therapy.

Last year, Democratic lawmakers in Wisconsin proposed a statewide ban, but the measure didn’t advance in the GOP-controlled Legislature.

The state party has supported the campaign against ex-gay therapy in Milwaukee.

"The ordinance is about protecting youth," said Martha Laning, who chairs the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. "The LGBT youth in Milwaukee deserve their community's support and their community's protection from this harmful practice."

The ordinance also had the backing of Randy Bryce, a Democrat seeking to challenge House Speaker Paul Ryan in November.

Bryce recently tweeted, "Conversion therapy is a form of child abuse that's still legal in 41 states. Proud of the Milwaukee Common Council for being the change here at home. We need federal leadership that will work to ban this awful practice, and fight for equal rights for all."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andy Gronik also issued a statement: “Conversion therapy is deeply harmful to LGBTQ individuals, and I’m glad that the common council took action to end this practice in Milwaukee. This is a step in the right direction towards correcting a history of injustices the LGBTQ community has endured in our society.”

Editor's note: This story will be updated.