Regina city council fell one vote shy of a unanimous endorsement of a ban on conversion therapy..City council heard arguments from 28 delegations, then debated the proposed bylaw in a seven-hour session on July 14..Ward 10 Councillor Landon Mohl voted against the bylaw, but was opposed by nine other councillors..Mohl had put forward an amendment to add a previously removed exemption back into the bylaw that would allow therapy for “Repressing or reducing sexual attraction or behaviour for any purpose unrelated to a desire to be heterosexual, including for the purpose of managing sexual addiction or maintaining celibacy.”.Earlier in the meeting, Ward 4 Councillor Lori Bresciani also called for the exemption to be restored, but was voted down..Mohl said without the exemption, the bylaw “bans counseling for LGBTQ+ people who may want to change their behaviours or attractions..“No one, for example, would accuse a straight person of trying to change her orientation merely for wanting to reduce her unwanted sexual behaviour,” Mohl wrote in a Facebook post explaining his decision. “Yet if this bylaw passes as is, only straight people could get this kind of counseling.”.Ward 2 Councillor Bob Hawkins spoke out against the amendment, saying it is critical to pass the bylaw as is and live up to the trust given to council by the LGBTQ2S+ community..Ward 8 Councillor Shanon Zachidniak expressed concerns the amendment could facilitate a loophole to allow conversion therapy practices to continue, and Ward 6 Councillor Dan LeBlanc said the amendment watered down the bylaw. The amendment was defeated..The bylaw to ban conversion therapy required unanimous support to pass Wednesday night..Mohl agreed in principle to a ban, but would not support a bylaw with a broad definition of conversion therapy..“We had a motion in April that quotes the Canadian Psychological Association and the Canadian Psychiatric Association, but their definition of conversion therapy is not even the same as the definition in the bylaw,” Mohl explained on Facebook..Mohl’s post included part of a letter he received from an unnamed “loving parent” in Regina who had “deep concern regarding the wording of Bill C-6,” the federal legislation City Council sought to align itself with..“[The] wording currently in this bill limits fundamental parental rights and also limits the ability to counsel and support people who are asking for help with unwanted sexual thoughts, feelings, and desires. In fact, it has the potential to make these private conversations criminal. This bill actually limits diversity and subtlety takes away freedom of speech, religion and expression. .“As a parent of a transgender child, this bill could actually remove their right to help and counsel sought out by even themselves, should they at any point choose to de-transition and pursue their identity of origin. They should have the right to seek out ANY help they desire on either side of this issue! This bill should be about protecting rights, not removing rights and our diversity as Canadians and citizens of Regina.”.Comments on Mohl’s post were mixed..“You’re clutching onto anecdotal ‘arguments’ that support your preconceived feelings on the topic under the guise of ‘inclusion’ and ‘protection’ of the LGBTQ2+ community. It’s disgusting,” wrote Ali Molaro..“I’m not convinced you actually understand this bylaw.”.Nick Schiavo agreed..“Shameful attack on the LGBTQ2+ community. Your attempts to weaken this bylaw won’t work. Queer people in Regina don’t need to change who they are to fit your definition of what’s acceptable. #LoveTrumpsHate,” wrote Schiavo..Lin Huggett backed up Mohl, a sprinkler installer elected for the first time last fall..“[Y]ou are brave & truly understand the reason why so many parents, grandparents & members of the Regina community were willing to speak today as well as write & call. The Ban continues to need work, it is not ready for approval. Thank you!”.Cody Summers offered support from a parental rights perspective..“Lets put it this way: the government has zero say in how I raise my child nor should they raise [my] child,” Summers wrote..Council will hold third reading on the bylaw August 11..Lee Harding is a Western Standard correspondent based in Regina.
