Westerville council votes 5–2 to draft ordinance banning gender conversion therapy for minors

Westerville City Council voted 5–2 on Jan. 17 to direct staff to prepare an ordinance that would prohibit licensed providers from administering gender or sexual‑orientation conversion therapy to minors. The motion instructs staff to draft language for an amendment to the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance (NDO) and schedule the first reading for Jan. 21, 2025.

Councilmember Nate Grimes introduced the motion and said the intent is to protect minors. "That's the intent. I don't think we would be able to go beyond minors," he said when asked about scope. Grimes referenced ordinances in other Ohio cities as drafting models and asked staff to align the local measure with Westerville’s NDO.

Supporters on council emphasized the city's authority to protect vulnerable residents. Opponents and some members raised legal and implementation concerns during debate: Council members noted that NDO enforcement complaints become public records and that banning certain therapies could affect licensed medical or mental‑health providers in ways that raise liability or access questions. One councilmember asked staff to collect statements from medical organizations for later consideration.

The vote was for a motion to proceed; it is not a final ordinance. Staff confirmed they will present the first reading of drafted language at the Jan. 21 meeting. Council discussion referenced Northern Ohio municipal examples and noted that additional drafting work will be required to address confidentiality, enforcement mechanics and the interaction with existing professional licensing.

Because the motion directs staff only to draft legislation, no penalty or enforcement mechanism has yet been adopted; those details will be included in the ordinance draft brought back to council.