Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The Duluth City Council has approved a ban on “conversion therapy,” which is aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity for minors.

The council voted 8-0 on Monday night to approve the ordinance.

It bans licensed counselors from therapy aimed at eliminating or reducing sexual or romantic attraction toward people of the same gender. The ban does not include clergy.

Opponents told the council that the ordinance would interfere with the rights of counselors and their patients to discuss treatment that they may actively want. 

But city council member Joel Sipress said he did not believe that constituted real therapy.

“And I don't have any qualms at all about us as a community protecting our youth from what is essentially a form of child abuse,” Sipress said.

Minneapolis passed a similar ban in November, as have more than a dozen states.

Minneapolis bans conversion therapy for minors

MN House adds conversion therapy ban to big health bill

Minnesota News

Politics and Government News

Greater Minnesota

Tim Nelson

Author

Advocacy groups have been trying get state and local governments to prohibit the therapy from being used on minors. The controversial treatment is designed to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a person. Duluth’s action follows a similar ordinance just passed in Minneapolis.  

Duluth bans 'conversion therapy' for minors

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox