Columbia City Council holds first vote to repeal conversion therapy ban

Amid pressure from state leaders and budget concerns, the Columbia City Council voted Tuesday to repeal the city's conversion therapy ban for LGBTQ+ minors.

The City Council voted 4-3 to repeal the ban despite public pleas to keep the ordinance in place. One more vote is required to fully repeal the ban.

The repeal follows passage of the state budget that goes into effect July 1, which includes a measure to prohibit state aid for local governments with conversion therapy bans.

For Columbia, the only city in the state with a ban, that meant a potential loss of $3.7 million.

Columbia City Manager Theresa Wilson said that money pays for basic city operations, like public safety, parks, trash collection and infrastructure.

In preparation, Wilson said the city would use hospitality tax dollars instead of state aid.

Also Tuesday, the council passed the city's more than $474 million budget, giving the city the ability to keep the $3.7 million in state aid if they vote a second time to repeal the ban.

Many Columbia residents spoke against the ordinance's repeal.

“I can give you half a dozen policy options and none of them are going to do the same, or have the same meaning and impact, as what this ordinance is positioned to do,” said Cristina Picozzi, executive director of the Harriet Hancock Center, a Columbia-based nonprofit which provides resources for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“If this issue came at any other time, I might agree with you, that it would be harmless to undo this ordinance. But, right now, I can’t see it as anything other than the latest in a series of targeted attacks framed as an unnecessary budget issue,” Columbia resident Elliot Naddell said.

Richland Democratic state Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine was on the council when the ban first passed in 2021. She said repealing the ordinance would open the city up to more “bullying” from state lawmakers.

“I urge you to please stand strong and not cave to the games being played by those who do not live in Columbia,” she said.

Spartanburg Republican Sen. Josh Kimbrell, who proposed the budget measure, and Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson both targeted the ordinance after it was passed in 2021.

In April, Wilson demanded the ban be repealed, threatening legal action.

“Victory! I fought Columbia and won. … Today, the 1st amendment, religious liberty & common sense won,” Kimbrell posted to X Tuesday.

In a statement, Wilson said, “This is also about the rule of law, because regardless of how you feel about so-called conversion therapy, state law does not allow cities or counties to pass ordinances regulating licensed professionals like therapists and counselors.”

Both Republicans are possible candidates for governor. Wilson is expected to announce his candidacy next week.

City Councilman Peter Brown, who voted Tuesday to repeal the conversion therapy ban, agreed with Wilson.

“Government overreach in 2021 has meant government overreach in 2025,” he said.

Brown also said no violations have been identified since the ordinance was passed.

“If the council intends to repeal this ordinance, they owe the public something more than silence. They owe this community a plan,” said ACLU of South Carolina spokesman Paul Bowers in a statement.

“Tonight’s vote moves us into the final stage of this process. As we approach the second reading, we remain fully engaged — organizing, advocating, and holding this council accountable,” he added.