Tampa’s Gay Conversion Therapy Ban Preempted by Florida Law

The city of Tampa, Fla., may not enforce a gay conversion therapy ban, a federal court in Florida said.

Florida’s comprehensive scheme for regulating and disciplining the health-care field impliedly preempts a city ordinance prohibiting mental health care professionals from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with minors during licensed counseling, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida said.

Tampa’s ordinance defines sexual orientation change efforts or conversion therapy as counseling in which doctors or mental health care professionals try to help minor patients to change their gender expression or sexual orientation/attraction. Robert Vazzo, a licensed marriage ...