Columbia repeals ban on so-called conversion therapy, ensuring no loss of state aid

COLUMBIA — Columbia no longer bans so-called conversion therapy for minors following City Council’s second 4-3 vote Tuesday to repeal the 4-year-old rule.

The repeated split vote — exactly one week after the first one — came without debate, despite residents’ pleas over roughly an hour to “fight back” against Republicans seeking the Governor’s Mansion.

It was the final vote needed to undo the ordinance threatening a $500 fine for licensed therapists who attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of an LGBTQ+ minor.

No one has been fined under the rule since its inception, according to the mayor’s office.

Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, among the four who voted “yes” to repeal, has said the ordinance lacks teeth to actually do anything, noting every case reported as a potential violation involved a religious group not covered by the ban.

But advocates of LGBTQ residents called it an important symbol of support and acceptance, as well as a stand against what they said should be called conversion trauma.

The vote ensures Columbia won’t miss out on its $3.7 million share of aid for local governments in the state budget that takes effect July 1. A clause inserted in the budget during the Senate debate threatened to yank the state aid of any city with such a ban, and Columbia is the only city that has one.

Council members twice delayed voting on the repeal as they waited to see whether the clause would survive budget negotiations and become law, which it did.

Additionally, Attorney General Alan Wilson threatened in April to sue over the local rule he contends violates both state law and constitutional free speech rights.

The meeting came a day after both Wilson and the author of the clause, state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, announced their bids for governor.

Advocates for the rule who spoke out Tuesday told council members they shouldn’t be helping the Republicans’ campaigns and letting them boss the city around. Speakers likened the Republicans to political bullies and called a vote to repeal cowardice.

“For y’all to give in and capitulate without a battle of any kind is strange to me. Where is the outrage?” asked Dr. Isabelle Mandell, a city resident. “You haven’t tried. You haven’t fought it.”

Attorney Nekki Shutt offered to represent the city for free to defend the rule and challenge the budget clause she called an unconstitutional violation of home rule.

“The city of Columbia is a refuge city in South Carolina for LGBTQ people. It’s where we can feel safe,” she said, adding she never expected to become a South Carolinian. “I laid down roots because I feel safe here.”