LGBTQ Group Wants Birmingham To Ban Conversion Therapy For Minors

BIRMINGHAM, AL - A local LGBTQ group is petitioning Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin to ban the practice of conversion therapy for minors. If passed, Birmingham would be the first city in Alabama to ban the controversial therapy - a practice that claims to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

A report by Alabama Media Group said The Affirming Birmingham Coalition, led by Auburn University student Jordan Kramer, wants Woodfin to support a city ordinance that would prohibit mental health professionals in Birmingham from performing conversion therapy on minors.

The American Psychiatric Association has condemned conversion therapy saying minors who are rejected by their families because of their sexual orientation or gender identity face serious health risks and are eight times more likely to report having attempted suicide.

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The Affirming Birmingham Coalition met with Josh Coleman, the LGBTQ liaison for the Birmingham mayor’s office, on Nov. 15. The coalition is made up of 24 Birmingham area religious leaders, mental health professionals, LGBTQ activists and youth advocates.

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