Green Bay council refers proposed resolution opposing conversion therapy to committee after lengthy public comment

The Green Bay Common Council heard extended public comment June 24 on a proposed resolution opposing conversion therapy and then voted 8-4 to refer a drafted resolution to alder sponsors and committee for further work.

The proposal, introduced last year as a communication and previously referred to staff, would make a nonbinding statement opposing conversion or reparative therapies. Pastor David Roth of 1 Way Christian Church said his opposition was “grounded in the truth of God’s word,” and several other speakers representing conservative Christian viewpoints urged the council not to limit religious counseling. Opponents argued a resolution could chill religious speech and open the city to legal risk.

Supporters, including speakers who described themselves as teachers, mental-health advocates and residents, said conversion therapy can harm young people and that a city statement would signal support for vulnerable youth. Retired teacher Charles Frisk said studies that followed youth who underwent conversion therapy found higher suicide rates and called the practice “incredibly cruel.”

Attorney Kochert, the city’s legal advisor, told the council that a resolution is nonbinding. “Resolutions are in fact just statements of the body. We wouldn’t be taking any enforcement action or any other subsequent action by the city under a resolution,” Kochert said.

A motion by Alder Stevens to receive and place the item on file — citing a pending court case in La Crosse and concerns about litigation exposure — failed on a 6-6 tie. Council members then approved, 8-4, a motion to refer the matter to Alders Presley, Prophet and DeLee to draft a resolution for committee review rather than ask staff to prepare it directly.

Council members who supported immediate council action said a resolution would not create enforcement or fines but would offer a public stance for youth who feel marginalized. Opponents warned that public naming of local churches and organizations during the debate had created potential legal exposure and argued the council should wait for the outcome of ongoing litigation elsewhere before adopting any formal statement.

The referral directs the sponsoring alders to prepare language for review by the Protection and Policy Committee (committee of jurisdiction) before returning the draft to the full council for consideration.