West Palm Beach, Florida Bans Ex-Gay Therapy for Minors

The city commission of West Palm Beach, Florida approved an ordinance Monday to ban conversion therapy for LGBT minors. According My Palm Beach Post, the city joins Miami, Miami Beach and Wilton Manors as the fourth Florida city to ban the practice.

The unanimous vote for ban by the City Commission happened after a public hearing on the measure in which psychologist Dr. Rachel Needle told city commissioners that the practice is based on two lies.

"First, it is based on the falsehood that being gay, lesbian or transgender is a mental disorder or defect that needs to be cured," Needle said.�"And secondly, it is based on the presumption that being LGBTQ is something that can actually be changed through therapy."

Outside of Florida, the use of conversion therapy on minors is banned in the states of Vermont, California, New Jersey, Illinois and Oregon as well as the District of Columbia and Cincinnati.

Chicago Go Pride notes that Florida cities North Bay Village, El Portal and Bay Harbor Islands are debating whether to follow suit.