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The US Supreme Court’s conversion therapy ruling prompts Columbus and other Ohio cities to review bans

By: George Shillcock | WOSU
Posted on: Tuesday, March 31, 2026

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOSU) — Columbus, Westerville and Whitehall leaders are all reviewing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Tuesday that struck down a state law in Colorado banning conversion therapy on minors.

The nation’s high court found in an 8-1 ruling that the state law regulates speech based on viewpoint, violating an evangelical Christian counselor’s First Amendment rights. The three central Ohio cities are among more than a dozen cities in the state that ban conversion therapy within city limits, but all three and the state of Colorado say they’ve never taken punitive action to enforce the laws.

About 20 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico also ban the practice.

Conversion therapy is a practice by some mental health professionals to try to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQ+ organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, call conversion therapy a dangerous and discredited practice.

Many medical and mental health organizations reject the therapy, including the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association.

Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein’s office confirmed in a statement it is reviewing the ruling.

“We are currently reviewing the opinion and will work with our clients on the impact, as necessary,” the statement said.

Klein’s office said the city has never had to file charges under the city’s conversion therapy code section.

Whitehall City Attorney Brad Nicodemus told WOSU he hasn’t read the full opinion yet so he declined to comment on whether or not it will affect Whitehall’s ordinances.

A spokesperson for the city of Westerville said the 66-page document will take time to digest and did not provide comment on Tuesday.

The spokesperson confirmed the city hasn’t had a single report or enforcement case since Westerville’s law passed.