Cuyahoga County council advances conversion-therapy ordinance to third reading after public comment and second reading

Cuyahoga County Council on Aug. 5 heard public comment in favor of an ordinance to ban so-called conversion therapy for minors and vulnerable adults and moved the ordinance to the council's Sept. 9 agenda for third reading and potential adoption.

During the meeting several members of the public and licensed social workers urged passage. Speakers included Sarah Kolick, an attorney and county resident who described conversion therapy as a discredited and abusive set of practices; Stephanie Ash, a licensed social worker and NASW Ohio regional board co-director, who read a public letter from NASW Ohio's executive director describing professional opposition to conversion therapy; and state Sen. Nikki Antonio, who said she is the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 71 in Columbus, a proposed statewide ban.

Council took no final action on the ordinance at the Aug. 5 meeting; the item was on second reading. Councilmembers placed the item on the Sept. 9 agenda for third reading and potential adoption. The ordinance text printed on the agenda would amend sections of the Cuyahoga County code to prohibit conversion therapy for minors and vulnerable adults; the ordinance number shown on the agenda is 202500003 (second reading).

Public commenters linked the ordinance to mental-health harms among LGBTQ youth and professional association statements opposing conversion therapy. Commenters asked council to pass the ordinance to protect youth and to hold providers accountable; several speakers identified themselves as licensed social workers or as residents of Cuyahoga County.

Council did not adopt the ordinance on Aug. 5 and there was no recorded vote. Council staff and the sponsor will bring the item back for third reading on Sept. 9 per council direction.