In a renewed effort to end the practice of conversion therapy on minors in Ohio, Senate Bill 71 was introduced in February by Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Sen. Beth Liston (D-Dublin).
The bill would prohibit licensed individuals from practicing conversion therapy. If SB 71 becomes law, enforcement would come from the individual’s professional state-licensing board. Each board would set up their own process for filing a complaint. The board would be in charge of deciding whether an infraction deserves a suspension or revoking the license.
Conversion therapy, sometimes called reparative therapy or reintegrative therapy, is a set of widely condemned practices designed to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Conversion therapy does not work and is often deeply traumatizing for those who undergo it, especially for minors whose brains are still developing,” Antonio told The Buckeye Flame. “It enforces the idea that they should be ashamed of who they are and can lead to lower self-esteem, depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. Sexual orientation is not a disorder, nor is it pathological. It is a state of being as natural as being left- or right-handed.”
Every major medical and psychological organization has said that conversion therapy both doesn’t work and does actual harm like increasing anxiety, depression and suicidality.
The same bill was introduced in 2023 by Rep. Mary Lightbody, who stepped down last year to spend more time with her family. The legislation did not receive a single hearing due to Lightbody’s retirement.
This bill will also receive a committee hearing in the Senate, Liston said. According to Senate rules, the Rules and Reference Committee guarantees at least one public hearing for all bills by the end of the two-year legislative session. If a vote happens in committee, Republicans may add their names to the list of co-sponsors, giving it bipartisan support.
“There are challenges in any Democratic bill in building support, and I do think the environment is currently not great for LGBTQ+ individuals and for bills that speak to their needs and rights,” Liston said. “However, I think the opportunity to share the harm that comes from this practice and highlight individual stories has a value in the continued conversation.”
As more municipalities ban conversion therapy on minors within their city limits, Liston said, the conversations cities are having “build on each other” and could impact the state level.
Currently, conversion therapy is banned in 13 different municipalities in Ohio, an area covering roughly 25% of Ohio’s population.
“Any bill people are following and feel strongly about relies on input from people who know about the issue,” she said. “Everyone can reach out to the committee members, regardless of whether that’s your state senator or not, and share why [the ban] is important and what it means to you.” 🔥
Editor’s Note: This piece was corrected to reflect how Senate bills are guaranteed at least one public hearing every legislative session and why a House bill did not receive any hearings.
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- The Buckeye Flame’s Ohio LGBTQ+ legislation guide for 2025 can be found here.
- If you are a young LGBTQ+ person in crisis, please contact the Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor.
- If you are an transgender adult in need of immediate help, contact the National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
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