Officials in Columbus have voted to ban conversion therapy, which seeks to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. The ordinance does not apply to religious practices.
The Columbus City Council voted Monday to ban the practice. Professionals in the medical community say the practice is illegitimate and does not work - and the says such practices, through either therapy or religious ministry, can actually be harmful.
say it鈥檚 constitutional because it applies to mental health professionals, and not clergy.
LGBTQ rights groups within the city worked with Equality Ohio and other civil rights organizations to ensure the law was passed.
Columbus follows some other cities, including Cincinnati and Toledo, that have passed similar ordinances.
Conversion therapy has been embraced by some faith-based groups, including . It's been denounced by medical groups including the and the .
