Wausau committee approves ban on conversion therapy

Last night, Wausau’s Public Health and Safety Committee unanimously supported a resolution calling for a ban on conversion therapy because it is harmful. We applaud the Wausau policy makers for taking this important step, as well as the community members who advocated for this change.

We know that conversion therapy is a dangerous practice aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender expression, and has been cited to increase the likelihood of someone experiencing depression, anxiety or attempting suicide.

Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg said of the committee’s vote: “I’m proud to stand with the LGBTQIA+ community in pushing this policy language.”

We fully agree with this sentiment, and that is why in March 2018 (under legislation sponsored by President Johnson), Milwaukee became the first city in Wisconsin to outlaw conversion therapy practices for anyone under 18. We are grateful that Madison, Sheboygan, Superior, Eau Claire, Cudahy, Shorewood, Racine, Appleton, Glendale, and West Allis did the same since then, and now Wausau is also on the brink of joining us with a ban.

We will continue to call for a statewide ban on conversion therapy, and strongly encourage action from municipalities in the interim.