Cuyahoga County this week became the first and only county in Ohio to ban conversion therapy practices for minors and “vulnerable adults.” State legislation on the issue is still stalled.
Cuyahoga County Council members voted unanimously in favor of the ban, which was sponsored by County Council’s first out gay member, District 6 Councilman Robert Schleper Jr. – and co-sponsored by eight other council members out of the 11 seats in the chamber.
County Executive Chris Ronayne expressed public support for the ordinance and requested his name be added to the legislation as a co-sponsor ahead of the vote.
This story was originally published by The Buckeye Flame, which is dedicated to amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ Ohioans.
Enforcing the countywide ban
The ordinance would subject individuals who practice conversion therapy on minors and vulnerable adults to fines on a sliding scale up to $3,500 per incident, and could lose their license practice medicine.
The county’s Human Rights Commission is tasked with enforcing the ban. If residents believe they have been subjected to conversion therapy practices, they can submit a complaint to the commission. However, the violation must have occurred “within three years prior to the complaint.”
Those who submit a complaint will have their identity protected under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Schleper said.
Conversion therapy is defined in the ordinance as “any practice or procedure that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward a person of the same gender or non-binary person.”
Every major medical and psychological organization in the world rejects conversion therapy practices, citing increases in anxiety, depression and suicidality.
The ordinance cites an extensive 2019 Williams Institute study on the medical, social and psychological effects associated with the conversion practices – which often involve the use of aversion conditioning techniques like “electric shock, deprivation of food and liquid, smelling salts, and chemically induced nausea.”
According to the study’s findings, at least 698,000 Americans report being exposed to some type of conversion therapy during their lifetime, including about 350,000 people who report they were subjected to conversion practices as adolescents.
‘Your support means more than you realize’
Schleper worked closely with local activists like Brandon West, who crafted the city of Lorain’s conversion therapy ban in 2024.
“This was brought to me by a group of concerned citizens that wanted me to sponsor this legislation, and I was happy to do so,” Schleper said. “When a small group of concerned citizens decide that they would like to create change, they can do so.”
Schleper called the ban’s passing a “pivotal moment” for the county and profusely thanked his colleagues for their support.
“Your support means more than you realize – and not just to me, but to so many lives across the county,” Schleper said. “With the passage of a conversion therapy ban, this legislation is another thread in the fabric that strengthens us as a county.”
Councilmembers Michael Gallagher and Martin Sweeney both offered public statements in support of the “landmark legislation.”
“The best thing I can say about [conversion therapy] is that it’s medieval,” Gallagher said. “This really isn’t a tough decision. Some people may consider it political…[…] but ultimately, we really need to protect people.”
Additionally, councilmember Meredith Turner pointed to the unanimous vote as a point of unity and shared vision among council members.
“Our collective vote will send a clear message that we are all children of God and that we will protect our residents,” she said.
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Banning conversion practices in other counties
The ban’s passing comes on the heels of other Ohio cities enacting similar ordinances, including Whitehall and Westerville.
In total, 14 municipalities have banned the practice, including Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo.
“It is more important than ever for our cities and counties to step up to protect their LGBTQ+ residents, and I hope Cuyahoga County will continue to set an example for others in Ohio and across the nation,” said Madelyn Smith, Northeast Ohio Organizer for LGBTQ+ civil rights group Equality Ohio. “I am so proud of Cuyahoga County.”
Ohio Democrats have introduced two bills in both the state Senate and House of Representatives that would ban conversion therapy on minors. Neither bill has been given a single hearing in the Republican-controlled Statehouse, and there isn’t a clear path to advance the legislation there.