Vancouver city council has unanimously voted to ban businesses offering the controversial practice of conversion therapy.
#VanCityCouncil approves agenda item 5 - Conversion Therapy Motion unanimously. Now on agenda item 6 - Rainbow Crosswalk Motion. View Motion: https://t.co/08uq2YCnCB Watch: https://t.co/qMGuTUy4TU
— Vancouver City Clerk (@VanCityClerk) June 6, 2018
The widely discredited practice of conversion therapy attempts to change a patient's sexual orientation or gender identity through a series of counseling methods.
Conversion therapy is opposed by several organizations, including the Canadian Psychological Association, the World Health Organization.
In passing the motion, Vancouver becomes the first Canadian city to issue an outright ban for businesses that offer conversion therapy.
However, it is already illegal to provide the so-called treatment to minors in Ontario and Manitoba.
The motion originally only banned conversion therapy for minors but an amendment by Coun. George Affleck expanded it to people of all ages.
Pleased that Tim and all Council supported my amendment. Vancouver will now not allow Conversion Therapy of any age group. Let’s take a stand on this. #VanPoli https://t.co/nuy8MRCoFX
— George Affleck (@george_affleck) June 6, 2018
"The City of Vancouver is strongly committed to supporting the equality and human rights of the LGBTQ2+ community and all city residents," read the motion.
It also noted that sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity expression are prohibited grounds of discrimination, according to the BC Human Rights Code.
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