Assistant City Attorney Maria Garcia, far right, discusses Ordinance 9828 with members of the City Commission.
City leaders have adopted an ordinance that bans so-called conversion therapy that aims to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, calling the practice harmful to children.
As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 9828, which specifically prohibits licensed providers from practicing conversion therapy on minors. Vice Mayor Courtney Shipley, who originally proposed the ban, referred to research that shows the therapy is detrimental to mental health and increases suicide risk.
“The very most basic thing that we have to do is to protect each other and to protect children, and I feel that this does that,” Shipley said.
Lawrence City Commission considering a ban on conversion therapy for minors
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Independence City Council Rejects Proposal To Fly The Rainbow Flag At City Hall
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Independence Mayor Eileen Weir hangs a rainbow flag outside of her office during Pride Month since her previous proposals to fly it at all city buildings have been voted down.
Independence Mayor Eileen Weir said the flag is a powerful symbol when it comes to making LGBTQ people feel safe in the city.
A proposal that would fly a rainbow flag at the Independence City Hall duringLGBTQ pride month was shot down Monday by the city council.
The proposal, which would also display rainbow flags on other municipal buildings, was defeated by a vote of 6-1.
Independence Mayor Eileen Weir said this is at least the second time she has brought a proposal forward to allow for the pride flag to be flown during the month of June.