South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson wrote to the city of Columbia, demanding that local government bans on conversion therapy be overturned. Wilson said the ban was unconstitutional because it violated the state’s religious freedom law and the religious rights of faith-based counselors.
“The letter says, ‘Hey, look, the prohibition is unconstitutional and is unlawful even under current state law.” We just follow it WIS TV.
Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenman questioned the need for letters.
“There are many other priorities,” Rickenman told reporters Wednesday. Nation Report.
Rickenman also questioned the timing of the letter and asked, “Why now?” And propose political connections. Wilson is rumoured to be considering running the state governor.
Related: Scotus agrees to hear cases of non-conversion therapy
The state Senate also put pressure on him, threatening to withhold $15 million. National funding If the city does not overturn the ordinance.
Conversion therapy is a so-called compensation therapy based on the belief that a person can “heal” same-sex sexual attraction and be converted from homosexual to heterosexuality. Various means of implementing this therapy include prayer groups, electroshock therapy, and training in gender behavior. Health experts agree that this practice is harmful.
Columbia narrowly approved a ban on conversion therapy within city restrictions in 2021. The following year, the state passed the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act, sought to protect the rights of practitioners.
in letterWilson “rides what they call the false features of conversion therapy, reminiscent of images of harsh and harmful treatments, such as electroshock therapy and other physical cruelty, aimed at changing the sexuality of individuals who are unsure about their sexual orientation.”
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He goes on to say that faith-based counselors are forced to adhere to “gender affirmative care.”
“This ordinance must cross the line, violate the law and be repealed,” Wilson said. statement.
All major medical associations in the United States support gender-affirming care.
Wilson said he recently signed simple support in favour of a ban on similar conversion therapy in Michigan, and he sent the letter.
President of Dylan Gunnels South Carolina Pride Founder of Agape Table,local LGBTQ+Advocacy and support groups are survivors of conversion therapy. He explained that Wilson claims his motivation to send the letter “hogwash,” and instead states that he is falling in line with the Trump administration’s attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and DEI.
Related: Trump administrators tell states to stop Medicaid for national minors
“What’s changed is that they’re being encouraged by a government that’s obsessed with DEI and erasing the presence of LGBTQ people,” Gunnels said. WIS TV. “And again, you don’t even know what conversion therapy is, and what it clearly is, even tenants of what the ordinance is. So you’re using your power and control the moment you fight for the governor’s seat and attack LGBTQ people again.”
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
