On February 15, Wausau’s Public Health and Safety Committee unanimously approved a resolution that would ban conversion therapy. The resolution would provide a path for complaints about healthcare providers who practice conversion therapy to try to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity to be filed with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. 

If approved, Wausau would join other municipalities including Appleton, Cudahy, Eau Claire, Glendale, Madison, Racine, Sheboygan, Shorewood, Superior, and West Allis in banning the practice. Wausau Common Council President Cavalier Johnson and Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa expressed support for the proposal and called for a statewide ban.

In response to the committee’s decision, Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg tweeted, “Tonight Wausau’s Public Health and Safety Committee unanimously supported a resolution calling for a ban on conversion therapy because it’s harmful. I’m proud to stand with the LGBTQIA+ community in pushing this policy language.”