AG, advocacy groups push Columbia in opposing directions on conversion therapy
Columbia will get more time to deal with a demand from the state Attorney General to repeal an ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors.
In April, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson wrote to Columbia leaders ordering that they repeal a city law that prohibits conversion therapy, a controversial practice that is largely opposed by the medical community.
The practice seeks to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity, and leading health and psychology organizations have deemed it ineffective and harmful.
Wilson’s office previously threatened legal action if the city did not walk back the ban, saying it violates state law and the First Amendment. The city responded to Wilson’s request by saying it would give it “proper attention.”
“As you are probably aware, any action taken to repeal or amend our ordinances requires two public readings. Council is fully prepared to provide proper attention to your request. However, we request 30-60 days in order to provide the required public notice and calendar the item,” the city’s letter to the Attorney General’s office, dated May 5, reads.
The Attorney General’s Office is granting the city the extension, but expects to hear an update from Columbia leaders by July 7, according to a letter from the office sent to the city.
It is not immediately clear how Columbia leaders plan to respond when the conversation therapy ban comes before the city council. Mayor Daniel Rickenmann was not available for an interview Wednesday because he was in Washington D.C., according to an aid. He previously voted against the ordinance, saying he believed it was a family decision.
But when the Attorney General’s letter hit the city’s desk in late April, Rickenmann raised an eyebrow, saying, “This hasn’t been an issue for four years. … Is it just a reminder or ... is it political season?”
Attorney General Wilson is a likely candidate for governor in 2026.
Public reacts
Just a few days after the city sent its letter to the Attorney General’s Office, the city council heard testimony from over half a dozen people, and received a letter signed by hundreds more urging the city to stand behind the ordinance passed in 2021, at Tuesday night’s regularly scheduled council meeting.
“Conversion/reparative practices are not only ineffective, but cause severe trauma to individuals and their families. These are practices that every major medical and mental health organization opposes,” that letter reads. “Repealing this ordinance tells our youth, and subsequently our adults, that Columbia knows the harm ‘conversion therapy’ causes, and is bending to specific ideology regardless of the extreme risk it poses to the lives of those in our community who are forced to endure it.”
The ACLU of South Carolina, Reformation Lutheran Church and over half a dozen other organizations signed that letter, along with 429 members of the public.
Matthew Butler, a representative for the ACLU who spoke before the city council Tuesday, reiterated that message, saying he is proud that Columbia was the first city in South Carolina to have a law against conversion therapy for minors.
“Do not retreat,” he said, “Do not abandon the children in the community your ordinance was written to sheath.”
Others who spoke included members of Reformation Lutheran Church, mental health clinicians and members of the LGBTQ community who said they have have witnessed or experienced first-hand the fallout of conversion therapy practices.
Actress and member of Reformation Lutheran Church RaéVen Kelly Dinwoodie gave a passionate plea to council, saying, “Please, Mr. Mayor and council members, make the kind, the loving and the Christ-like decision to send a message to the world. Back here in Columbia, we protect all of our residents.”
The ordinance first passed in a 4-3 council vote in June 2021, with Rickenmann and former Mayor Steve Benjamin both voting against it at the time. The other no vote was Councilman Rev. Ed McDowell, who along with Rickenmann has remained on the council since that vote.
Of the four council members who voted in favor of the conversion therapy ban in 2021, just Will Brennan is still on the council.
Brennan declined to comment when reached by The State Wednesday.
The ordinance restricts any licensed healthcare or mental health provider in Columbia from providing conversion therapy, and promises a fine of up to $500 per violation.
Rickenmann previously said no fines have been issued since the ordinance was passed. The policy came from conversations with LGBTQ members of the public and therapy practitioners who specifically asked for it.
“We believe that it’s protecting people who are most marginalized, who need the protection,” said Dylan Gunnells, President of SC Pride, adding that even if the ordinance has not yet been used by the city, it is still an important guardrail.
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 1:33 PM.
