Ohio does not ban ‘conversion therapy’. Cities are enacting their own.

In June, the city of Cleveland Heights passed an ordinance prohibiting professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors.  Cleveland City Council introduced a similar measure in July that is expected to pass this fall.  The city of Reynoldsburg, outside Columbus, unanimously passed a measure in June that banned the practice.

Conversion therapy or reparative therapy, as its sometimes called, are umbrella terms describing a range of methods that aim to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.  Major medical organizations including the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association oppose conversion therapy. The practice has been widely discredited by the mainstream medical profession citing the physical and psychological harm it can cause especially on those under 18.

 At least 20 U.S. states have laws on the books banning conversion therapy on minors.  Ohio has no such statewide ban.

This hour we discuss conversion therapy and how the current political climate in Ohio is driving interest in banning it.

Later in the hour, we have been bringing you the latest episodes of our new podcast, ‘Inside the Bricks: My Changing Neighborhood’ here on Wednesdays on The Sound of Ideas. This second season of the podcast focuses on the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood where Ideastream Public Media Senior Producer Justin Glanville lives with his family.

It is a neighborhood that is undergoing rapid transformation and investment. 

This week in the third episode of the series, Justin talks to local leaders to see whether THEY think the neighborhood can remain welcoming to all, even as new money and new people roll in. Is such a balance possible? 

We want to hear from you.  You can stop by Scoot Cold Brew, on West 114th Street and Berea Road, between noon and two today to weigh in with your thoughts, meet Justin and drink some free cold brewed coffee! Or you can go to  , the Inside the Bricks show page where you can take a survey  or sign up for a behind-the-scenes newsletter about the show.

Ken Schneck, Editor, The Buckeye Flame, Contributor, Ideastream Public Media  
Rev. Richard Hinkelman, Pastor, Franklin Circle Christian Church, Cleveland 
Alana Jochum, Executive Director, Equality Ohio  
Justin Glanville, Senior Reporter, Ideastream Public Media 
Jenny Spencer, Cleveland City Council 
Frank D'Onofrio, Veterans Club