Conversion therapy ban could be lifted in Wisconsin, here's why

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Republicans who serve on the Legislature's powerful rules committee will attempt to resume conversion therapy in Wisconsin which would allow therapists and counselors to try and change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

On Thursday, the Republican-led rules committee plans to suspend the ban that has been a center of debate at the state Capitol for over two years.

Last year, the Senate and Assembly both took up measures to prohibit Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services board from banning conversion therapy. Lawmakers then moved the bill into committee in an attempt to avoid a veto from Gov. Tony Evers.

It resulted with the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board within DSPS from developing their own rule last year to update its protocols to ban conversion therapy, which evolved into a feud between GOP committee members and DSPS.

State Sen. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater), co-chair of the rules committee, previously said action by the committee is not meant to be political, instead he argued the state's therapy board lacked authority to ban conversion therapy without action by the Legislature.

LGBTQ advocates oppose the widely discredited practice, which tries to stop or suppress someone from being gay or living as a different gender to their sex recorded at birth.

Opponents also say the therapy can be harmful and confusing for those struggling with their sexuality.

The American Academy of Pediatrics concluded in a 1993 report that therapy geared towards changing sexual orientation has minimal effect or success.

Currently more than a dozen cities already ban conversion therapy for minors including Madison, Milwaukee, West Allis, Glendale, Racine and Sheboygan.

In 2021, Gov. Evers signed an executive order banning the use of state resources for conversion therapy on minors.