SPLC Action Fund Statement on the Tallahassee Conversion Therapy Ban Ordinance Decision

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Yesterday evening, the Tallahassee City Commission passed its conversion therapy ordinance, joining the growing list of state and local governments to support bans.

The following statement is from Scott McCoy, SPLC Action Fund interim deputy legal director of the LGBTQ Rights & Special Litigation Project:

“We applaud the Tallahassee city commissioners for unanimously enacting an ordinance to ban conversion therapy for minors, but also going even further to ensure the protection of vulnerable adults. This bogus practice is premised on the lie that LGBTQ+ individuals have a ‘condition’ that needs to be cured by changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Taking a stand against conversion therapy is an extremely important step in the right direction to support the well-being of Tallahassee’s LGBTQ+ residents. But the commission has also sent an important message to LGBTQ+ youth: you are perfect the way you are and do not need to be fixed.

“We urge the rest of Florida to follow the example set by Tallahassee, and pledge to protect our youth from this heinous practice.”