The word gay by definition used to mean “carefree” and “cheerful.” But in the late 1970s, the word became a slur for homosexuality. The word scared some people into keeping a part of themselves secret. 

People once thought that being gay was once bad, thus bringing forth conversion therapy. 

An article by huffpost.org titled “A Survivor Of Gay Conversion Therapy Shares His Chilling Story” by James Micheal Nichols defined conversion therapy as “Conversion therapy is a set of practices that intend to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity to fit heterosexual or cisgender standards and expectations ― and it is usually religiously motivated.” 

Conversion therapy can take many different forms. It could be a licensed mental health professional sitting across from a “patient” on a couch or it could be a religious adviser trying to “pray the gay away,” Sam Brinton Head of Advocacy and Government Affairs for The Trevor Project said. 

Council members Jenny Van Sickle and Ruth Ludwig brought the discussion of banning conversion therapy to Superior. The council voted unanimously protecting children under the age of 18 from the harmful repercussions of conversion therapy as of Aug. 20.

“Our community at large was resolute in its stance against conversion therapy, and I’m proud to be one of the voices that brought this ban forward on behalf of others,” Sickle said. “The safety, visibility, and welfare of every resident matters, no matter how young—and our legislation needs to reflect that, regularly.”

Conversion therapy had been proven to cause depression, anxiety and in some cases suicide stated by hrc.org.

Making Superior a safe environment for every citizen is very important to Ludwing and Mayor Jim Paine.

“I hope it makes Superior a safe and inclusive community, we know not all families can or will provide that for their children,” Paine said.