WINONA, Minn. – The City Council banned so-called “conversion therapy” that purportedly can turn gay people straight. The new ordinance allows a fine against mental health professionals who use conversion therapy on anyone under 18. The ban had been recommended by the Winona Human Rights Commission. Among supporters were the counselor-ed faculty at Winona State University and the Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center. The vote was 6-0 with Council Michelle Alexander not in attendance. The vote was no surprise, In March the Council heard arguments against conversion therapy, and Mayor Mark Peterson sent a letter to state legislators requesting a statewide ban. The proposal passed the House, but the Senate voted along party lines against it. Republicans 34, Democrats 30. Voting against a ban were Senators Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, and Mike Goggin, R-Red Wing. Ironically, both Winona and Reg Wing city councils now have outlawed conversion therapy. So have five Minnesota cities in all.

Bachmann clinics

The most known conversion therapist in Minnesota has been Marcus Bachmann, who gained attention as husband of former Congress member Michelle Bachmann. He had clinics in the Minneapolis suburb of Burnsville and the St. Paul suburb of Lake Elmo. He has denied being in the gay-reversal business.

Discredited

The American Medical Association and American Psychological Association have discredited conversion therapy as unethical and harmful.