Latest news with #MedicalEthicsandDiversityAct
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why a pastor wants Columbia's ban on ‘conversion therapy' to continue
A pastor in Columbia opposes conversion therapy as "an afront to the fact that everyone is made in the image of God." (Illustration) As a pastor serving the people of Columbia, I write in full support of the city's 2021 ordinance of prohibiting so-called 'conversion therapy' for minors. It is disappointing to hear that this local law which seeks to protect LGBTQ+ youth from a practice deemed harmful by every major medical and mental health association has recently come under renewed scrutiny. The South Carolina attorney general has called for its repeal, citing the state's 2022 Medical Ethics and Diversity Act (Act 235), a law that expands conscience protections for medical practitioners and limits the authority of municipalities to regulate health care. We respect that there are differences of opinion and belief when it comes to matters of human sexuality and gender identity. And yet, these differences cannot get in the way of protecting our children when they are being harmed in the name of care. Let us be clear: The city of Columbia's ordinance does not criminalize sermons or compel churches to change their doctrine. It does not bar anyone from preaching what they believe. Rather, it prohibits licensed professionals from practicing a form of therapy on minors that has been widely condemned as ineffective and psychologically damaging. I am a pastor who does not believe that being LGBTQ+ is something that needs to be 'fixed.' Reformation Lutheran Church, like many across South Carolina and the country, do not support 'conversion therapy.' 'Conversion therapy' is an afront to the fact that everyone is made in the image of God. Because we are all created in the image of God, because we are all fearfully and wonderfully made by God, government has a duty to protect each and every single person including LGBTQ+ children, who are some of the most vulnerable persons in our society. The argument made by Attorney General Alan Wilson — that the ordinance is preempted by Act 235 — misunderstands both the purpose of the city's law and the needs of the communities it serves. Act 235 protects the right of medical practitioners not to participate in services that violate their conscience. Columbia's ordinance doesn't compel any provider to offer any particular service; it prohibits one that leading experts agree constitutes a form of psychological harm to minors. We reject the false narrative that protecting children from trauma violates anyone's religious freedom. Churches remain free to teach, preach, and counsel according to their traditions. But when harm is being done under the guise of therapy, the city has not only the right but the responsibility to step in. We urge the Columbia City Council to stand by this ordinance — unamended, undiluted, and unafraid. Let it be known that in this city, we do not sacrifice the well-being of children to score political points. Let it be known that Columbia believes LGBTQ+ youth deserve to be seen, respected, and loved as they are. The question is, will we see our neighbor on the side of the road and take them to the inn and do whatever it takes to restore them and make them whole. Or will we cross the street to the other side while harm is intentionally done to our children?
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
S.C. attorney general tells state's capital city to drop its conversion therapy ban
South Carolina's attorney general, Alan Wilson, sent a letter to the city of Columbia requesting that it overturn its municipal ban on conversion therapy. Wilson said the ban violates a state religious freedom law and is unconstitutional because it violates the religious rights of faith-based counselors. 'This letter just says, 'Hey, look, the ban is unconstitutional and it's also unlawful under current state law.' Just comport with it. Comply with it. We're good,' Wilson told WIS TV. Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann questioned the need for the letter. 'I have a whole lot of other priorities.' Rickenmann told reporters on Wednesday, The State reports. Rickenmann also questioned the letter's timing, asking, 'Why now?' and suggesting a political connection. Wilson is rumored to be considering a run for governor in the state. Related: SCOTUS agrees to hear conversion therapy ban case The state's Senate also applied pressure, threatening to withhold $15 million in state funding if the city did not overturn the ordinance. Conversion therapy is the so-called reparative ex-queer therapy based on the belief that a person can be 'cured' of their same-sex sexual attraction and that conversion from homosexuality to heterosexuality is possible. Various means of implementing this therapy can include prayer groups, electroshock therapy, and training in gender behavior. Health experts agree that the practice is harmful. Columbia narrowly approved the ban on conversion therapy within its city limits in 2021. The following year, the state passed the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act, which sought to protect the rights of medical practitioners. In the letter, Wilson derides what he calls a mischaracterization of conversion therapy that 'conjures images of draconian and harmful treatments, like electroshock therapy or other physical cruelties, aimed at changing the sexuality of individuals who were unsure about their sexual orientation.' Related: Gay man SC Rep. Nancy Mace told to 'f**k' himself speaks out He goes on to say that faith-based counselors are forced to 'come into compliance with 'gender affirming care,' which he incorrectly says is fake science. 'This ordinance crosses the line, violates the law, and must be repealed,' Wilson said in a statement. All major medical associations in the U.S. support gender-affirming care. Wilson said he sent the letter now because he recently signed a brief supporting a similar overturning of conversion therapy bans in Michigan. Dylan Gunnels, the president of South Carolina Pride and the founder of The Agape Table, a local LGBTQ+ advocacy and support group, is a survivor of conversion therapy. He described Wilson's claimed motivation for sending the letter as 'hogwash' and instead said he was falling in line with the Trump administration's assault on LGBTQ+ rights and DEI. Related: Trump admin tells states to stop Medicaid for trans minors 'What has changed is that they're emboldened by an administration that's obsessed with DEI and erasing the existence of LGBTQ people,' Gunnels told WIS TV. "And again, having no clue or understanding what conversion therapy actually is, and clearly not even the tenants of what that ordinance was. So you're using your power and control in a moment when you're vying for the governor's seat to attack LGBTQ people yet again.'
