Columbia council votes to repeal city ban on conversion therapy for minors amid state funding threat; adopts budget and advances downtown plan

Columbia City Council voted on first reading to repeal the city's 2021 ordinance prohibiting conversion therapy for minors, approving the measure 4-3 after an extended public comment period dominated by medical professionals, LGBTQ advocates and residents who urged the council to keep the ban in place.

The vote came after council members heard more than two dozen public speakers during the meeting's public-input period, many of whom said conversion therapy is harmful and urged the council to resist what speakers called political pressure from state officials. City materials presented at the meeting said a state budget proviso tied to the issue would cause an estimated reduction of about $3,700,000 in state funding to the city.

Why it matters: The 2021 ordinance made Columbia the only municipality in the state to prohibit conversion therapy for minors. Supporters said the ban signals city values and protects vulnerable youth; opponents of keeping the ban told council members the possible loss of state funds would harm city services.

Council action and immediate effect The ordinance repealing the 2021 prohibition (Ordinance No. 2025043) was introduced and placed on first-reading approval. The motion passed on roll call with four council members voting in favor and three opposed. After the first-reading vote, council adopted a related direction asking the city manager to restore local government funding by reducing the hospitality tax transfer if state funds were withheld.

Public comment highlights - Jace Woodrum, executive director of the ACLU of South Carolina, said the local law "does not infringe upon free speech" and called the attorney…