The Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday
unanimously approved an ordinance that prohibits therapies to minors
that attempt to alter their sexual orientation or gender identity.
According to the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette, Mayor Bill Peduto plans to sign the legislation.
“We join a growing list of cities
that have taken these kinds of steps,” said
Bruce Kraus, the council president and co-sponsor of the bill.
“I suspect more will follow.”
Councilman Dan Gilman, who helped
introduce the measure with Kraus, said that he had heard from
constituents worried about Vice President-elect Mike Pence's
“long-standing championing” of so-called conversion therapy.
Pence in 2000 advocated for public funding for such therapies.
(Related: New
York lawmaker's “PENCE” bill would ban 'ex-gay' therapy.)
Cities which have passed similar bans
include Miami Beach, Wilton Manors, West Palm Beach, Cincinnati and
Seattle.