The council unanimously approved the groundwork for ban on the long-debunked practice, groundwork that included steep penalties for licensed professionals who try to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBT youth.
On Thursday, the measure will have another hurdle to clear at Tampa City Hall, before the ban is officially on the books. LGBT youth advocates are urging allies to once again come speak at city hall about the importance of such a ban.
The measure won't impose a universal ban on the practice—not necessarily because members of the Tampa City Council don't want to do that, but because they can't.
Religious groups would be exempt from the new rule because they are protected under the First Amendment.
It also wouldn't apply to consenting adults who may, for whatever reason, think the practice actually works and be willing to pay someone to "convert" them despite what the science says.
Basically, mental health practitioners would be subject of $1,000-$5,000 fines, depending on whether they're repeat offenders, if they attempt to do this to LGBT youth.
Even if it doesn't go as far as some might like, proponents of the ban pointed out earlier this month that limiting the practice as much as the law will allow could save an untold number of children and teenagers from the emotional and physical trauma typically inherent in the practice.
And on a symbolic level, the law sends the message that the city is a welcoming place that seeks to protect its youth and its LGBT community.
Thursday's hearing will take place in council chambers after the start of the regular 9 a.m. council meeting. Members of the public will have two chances to speak, once during the public comment session and once during the hearing for the ordinance.
This article appears in Mar 9-16, 2017.