What to Know
- Opponents of the decision say this could harm other bans across the state of Florida.
A federal judge has ruled one Florida city cannot ban therapists from practicing a controversial “gay conversion” therapy in their jurisdiction.
NBC affiliate WFLA-TV reports the judge struck down a 2017 ban imposed by the city of Tampa, ruling that the city has no authority to regulate health professionals and only the state government can do that – a victory for some religious based groups who support the therapy aimed at attempting to convert LGBTQ people toward heterosexuality.
“Eventually one of these bans, whether it’s from Florida or another state, will wind up in the Supreme Court. That’s where we expect to see this ultimately end, and we think the Supreme Court would rule it’s unconstitutional,” says Roger Gannam, assistant vice president of legal affairs for the Christian based Liberty Group.
Opponents of the decision say this could harm other bans across the state of Florida.
“Our local elected officials should be able to protect residents from fraudulent and dangerous con artists who put children’s lives at risk,” said Nadine Smith of Equality Florida.
Attorneys for the city of Tampa have not said if they plan on appealing the decision.
