Therapy to change a child's sexual orientation will be banned in Milwaukee

Therapy to change a child's sexual orientation or gender identity will soon be banned in the city of Milwaukee.

Mayor Tom Barrett is set to sign a ban on the controversial practice, commonly known as "conversion therapy," which was overwhelmingly approved Tuesday by the Milwaukee Common Council.

Both supporters and opponents of the ban packed the council chambers for Tuesday's emotionally charged debate. Many supporters held rainbow-colored flags. Opponents frequently interrupted aldermen, often shouting warnings suggesting that the ban violates God's wishes.

"Sin is sin," one man repeatedly said.

Ald. Cavalier Johnson, the measure's lead sponsor, stressed that the ban applies only to fee-based conversion therapy services for minors — not free counseling from faith leaders. The ordinance would not prohibit churches from preaching, ministering or otherwise speaking about the issue, he added.

"This is not an attack on them. This is not an attack on their liberty. This is not an attack on their ability to preach," Johnson said.

He said there's no credible evidence that the practice works, warning that it instead can lead to depression, shame, low self-esteem, substance abuse and suicide for LGBT youth.

"Kids end up committing suicide because of the practice of conversion therapy being inflicted upon them," Johnson said.

Major medical and mental health organizations have condemned conversion therapy, which has been banned in nine states, he added.

"This is about protecting kids," Johnson said.

"It's the devil. It's about evil," one ban opponent yelled as Johnson spoke.

"This is real. This affects real people," Johnson added. "And it's unfair for this council to not protect everybody in this community. We all stood up and we all pledged allegiance to that flag at the beginning of this council meeting. All of us did. And at the end, we said, 'Liberty and justice for all. For all.' "

RELATED: Proposal to ban LGBTQ conversion therapy moves forward to full Milwaukee Common Council

The ban passed the full council Tuesday on a 12-2 vote. Alds. Robert Donovan and Mark Borkowski voted against the measure, and Russell W. Stamper II abstained.

"This is a topic that is uncomfortable for me," Borkowski said.

A council committee approved the measure earlier this month. But Borkowski said that opponents didn't have enough notice before that meeting to speak against the measure. Warning that discussion had been one-sided, Borkowski urged aldermen to send it back to committee for further discussion.

Donovan backed him, saying it was "in the interest of fairness." He also said the ban was government overreach, adding that people "did not make the case that this problem even exists in Milwaukee."

Opponents shouted "Amen!" as Borkowski and Donovan spoke.

But that effort failed.

Ald. Chantia Lewis said she supported churches but added that no counseling should lead young people to commit suicide.

"I am in favor of supporting our children," she said.

A 2009 American Psychological Association report concluded such practices can pose critical health risks to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youths, including depression, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts.

A 2015 federal report found no existing research that such practices can change a person's gender identity or sexual orientation and instead found those practices often are "coercive, can be harmful and should not be part of behavioral health treatment."

The proposed ban carries a fine between $500 and $1,000 for each violation. The Milwaukee Police Department would have the power to enforce the ordinance.

After the vote, many opponents stormed out of the chamber shouting, praying and condemning the ban.

"I'm hurt today. I'm really, really hurt. Because if you really care about your children, you'll try to get all of the therapy, everything you can," said Divine Appointed Church of Deliverance Pastor Alma Nation. "Why can't our children get therapy? When you're under 18, you can't make a decision for yourself."

But ban supporter the Rev. Tory Topjian, pastor of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church, said children need to be supported.

“I was tricked into going to conversion therapy in my youth and learned early on as I started that process, it was not what I wanted in my life,” Topjian said.

He said several friends had committed suicide after undergoing the therapy.

"We are all God's children," Topjian said. "We need to protect these children."