Ohio lawmaker quotes Lady Gaga lyrics in hearing to ban conversion therapy on minors

This story first appeared on The Buckeye Flame.Ohio lawmakers held a first hearing on Tuesday for a bill that would ban the discredited practice of conversion therapy. Senate Bill (SB) 71 would prohibit certain healthcare providers – including licensed physicians, social workers, psychologists, counselors and advance practice nurses – from “engag[ing] in conversion therapy when providing mental health treatment to a minor patient.”Conversion therapy, sometimes called reparative therapy or reintegrative therapy, is a set of widely condemned practices designed to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Every major medical and psychological organization has said that conversion therapy not only doesn’t work but does actual harm like increasing anxiety, depression and suicidality.If SB 71 becomes law, enforcement would come from the individual’s professional state-licensing board. Each board would set up its own process for filing a complaint. The board would be in charge of deciding whether an infraction deserves a suspension or revoking the license.Currently, 15 Ohio municipalities – 14 cities and Cuyahoga County – ban conversion therapy on minors.SB 71 was introduced in February 2025 by Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Sen. Beth Liston (D-Dublin). This is the fourth time Ohio lawmakers have considered such a bill. Senate rules mandate that bills introduced by April in even-numbered years are guaranteed a hearing.A companion bill to ban conversation therapy on minors is also proposed in the Ohio House.Enter: Lady GagaTuesday’s hearing in the Health Committee lasted less than four minutes.Liston said that conversion therapy is linked to psychological, physical, relational and financial harm and that there is no credible evidence that conversion therapy changes sexual orientation or gender identity. She said an estimated 500 Ohio minors a year are subjected to conversation therapy.“We have over 70 years o