Conversion Therapy Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Huntington Becomes Fourth City In W.Va. To Ban Conversion Therapy

Huntington is now the fourth city in the Mountain State to ban conversion therapy.

In a 7 – 4 vote, Huntington city council banned conversion therapy for minors within city limits.

The updated city ordinance says that attempting to change the gender identity or sexual orientation of a minor is discriminatory.

Huntington joins Wheeling, Morgantown, and Charleston in banning the practice.

“Everyone, from the American Medical Association to the American College of Physicians, all of these subject matter experts have said that this is nothing more than abuse,” said Vice Chairwoman Sarah Walling,

More than 30 residents came to speak. Resident of Huntington, and board member for the West Virginia Psychological Association, Sheila Robinette told the council that conversion therapy is ineffective and causes harm to minors.

“The youth of our city, this includes not just LGBTQ youth but all youth, deserve and have the right to be able to receive mental health treatment in a safe, ethical manner free from discrimination and in a manner that makes people better, not worse,” said Robinette.

Sheila Robinette speaking to Huntington City Council

Before hearing from the public, Councilmember Dale Anderson motioned to table the ordinance and wait for the state legislature to act.

“Mr. Anderson, we are not going to lay down and wait for the state, because they’re slow and sometimes ineffective,” said Huntington resident Joseph Crutcher. “The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims has labeled conversion therapy torture.”

Interactions between a child and their parent or someone in their religious group about sexual orientation or gender identity are not part of the ban.

Wheeling Bans Conversion Therapy

Wheeling has banned a discredited therapy aimed at LGBTQ people.

Members of the Wheeling city council voted 4-3 Tuesday night to approve an ordinance banning conversion therapy in the city.

Conversion therapy is a practice of attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The city code does exempt counseling from clergy and religious officials acting in a pastoral or religious capacity and not in the capacity of a medical or mental health professional.

In a written version of his remarks prior to the council’s vote, Wheeling mayor Glenn Elliott said the ordinance has caused him to reflect on the work the council is charged with.

“We live in a world where both our federal government and the State of West Virginia have failed to provide basic civil rights protections to members of the LGBTQ community,” Elliot said.

He cited seven professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, that have publicly opposed conversion therapy.

“They not only assert that conversion therapy is cruel, but they also affirm that it does not work,” Elliot said.

Wheeling joins Charleston and Morgantown in defining the practice as discriminatory and unlawful.

Bipartisan attempts at passing a statewide ban in the legislature have been unsuccessful.

Bill Would Ban Discredited Conversion Therapy In Charleston

Officials in West Virginia’s capital city have introduced a proposal to ban the discredited practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ children.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that Councilwoman Caitlin Cook, a council liaison to the city’s LGBTQ Working Group, introduced the bill on Monday.

Conversion therapy is a practice used to try to change sexual orientation or gender identity. Many people who have been through it say it deepened feelings of depression and increased thoughts of suicide.

If approved, Charleston would be the first in West Virginia to enact such a ban.

“This ordinance really is about protecting and valuing our LGBT community members that call Charleston home as well as and making it known to visitors that may come to Charleston that we are an inclusive community,” Cook said.

The proposed ordinance carries a fine of up to $1,000 for violations.