4 stories chart Columbia's road to repealing conversion therapy ban

Columbia’s decision to repeal its conversion therapy ban for minors was a saga pitting local control against state intervention and financial consequences against public outcry.

The city had been the first in the state to prohibit licensed therapists from attempting to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity using the widely discredited practice.

Columbia City Council repealed the ban after pressure from the state attorney general, who argued the ordinance violated state law and the First Amendment. State lawmakers threatened to cut nearly $4 million in funding from Columbia if the ban remained in place. The repeal decision divided city officials, while advocacy groups condemned the council’s retreat when it struck down the ban in June, stressing concern for LGBTQ+ youth. The controversy sparked debate about local South Carolina governments’ authority to set their own policies without state interference.

NO. 1: AG, ADVOCACY GROUPS PUSH COLUMBIA IN OPPOSING DIRECTIONS ON CONVERSION THERAPY

With SC Attorney General Alan Wilson demanding the city do away with its conversion therapy ban, it’s unclear how leaders will act. | Published May 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes

NO. 2: IF COLUMBIA KEEPS CONVERSION THERAPY BAN, IT COULD PUNCH ‘GAPING’ HOLE IN BUDGET

Challenged by the state attorney general and Legislature, Columbia would likely need to replace nearly $4 million in the coming year’s budget if it upholds the ban. | Published May 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes

NO. 3: DID COLUMBIA ASK SC LAWMAKERS TO WITHHOLD $4M OVER CONVERSION THERAPY BAN?

The state has passed a measure withholding money from cities with conversion therapy bans. Some have interpreted comments from a lawmaker as saying Columbia leaders asked for it. | Published June 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes Joseph Bustos

NO. 4: COLUMBIA REJECTS PUBLIC PLEAS, REPEALS SC’S FIRST CONVERSION THERAPY BAN

Hundreds of Columbia residents have spoken at meetings, signed petitions, sent emails or made calls to urge city council members to keep the ordinance in place. | Published June 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.