City of Wausau. MWC file graphic
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A resolution aimed at ending the practice of conversion therapy in Wisconsin is one step closer to final approval.
Monday evening Wausau’s Public Health & Safety Committee discussed a City resolution supporting a statewide ban on conversion therapy practices. The resolution is a product of the City’s Liberation and Freedom Committee after over 4 months of discussion and research. Liberation and Freedom Committee Chair Blake Opal-Wahoske presented the resolution to Public Health & Safety, giving a brief explanation of conversion therapy.
“Which is several dangerous and discredited practices aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or sexual identity. Hypnotism, aversion therapy, and group therapy are the core techniques in conversion therapy. Though these are not the only techniques used. Conversion therapy can also involve violent roleplay and reenactment of past abuses. The harm of conversion therapy includes depression, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, shame, social withdrawal, suicide, suicidal tendencies, substance abuse, among many many others.”
Public Health & Safety also heard from several members of the public regarding their support for the resolution. One of those members included Wausau Transfam Alliance Founder Jaxon Seeger. A self-described 23-year-old queer transgender man, Seeger brought the idea of a conversion therapy ban resolution to Opal-Wahoske after a personal experience where someone told Seeger he was mentally ill and could be “fixed” with conversion therapy.
“There are countless types of conversion therapy, including but not limited to, praying the gay away, electroshock therapy, physical and sexual abuse, torture, and more. I not only identify within the LGBTQ community but at the age of 19, I was fortunate enough to start an LGBT support group in Wausau known as Wausau Transfam Alliance. Running this group has given me the amazing opportunity to work with some really amazing local teens and young adults, many of which have gone through conversion therapy. I have not only listened to their stories, but I do feel their pain.
“Something I find even more disturbing is that as of today conversion therapy is legal in 26 states, of course, our home state of Wisconsin being one of them. When I came across this information I knew I had to do something and that’s why I’m standing here in front of you today. You guys being here today is definitely a step in the right direction and I couldn’t be more grateful. Growing up as a closeted queer transgender youth is definitely scary, but being a target of a practice so violent and damaging is worse.
“As I stand here in front of you today, I do hope you can see the truth. That truth being that reparative therapy doesn’t work. And instead of helping our youth, it has hurt and destroyed them on so many levels. And will continue to if we don’t make some sort of change.”
After hearing public comment on the resolution, the Committee was mostly in favor of the resolution. Some questions were asked by District 9 Alder Dawn Herbst about how the resolution would impact local mental healthcare providers. Committee Chair and District 7 Alder Lisa Rasmussen explained that after getting input from local healthcare professionals, the proposal was changed from an ordinance to a resolution.
An ordinance would just impose a municipal fine, while a resolution allows the City to report those who practice conversion therapy to the state and state boards. From there the state would be able to take over an investigation into the healthcare provider and impose punishments like suspending or revoking a provider’s license that would actually stop the practice of conversion therapy.
There was some public concern about conversion therapy practices being used outside of a therapy setting, but committee members feel a resolution would allow for the City to report any use of the practice, even in unlicensed areas. The resolution passed the committee unanimously, and it now moves onto the Wausau City Council for final approval at their March 9th meeting.
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