The Wisconsin Supreme Court has allowed a ban on conversion therapy to go into effect in the state. The measure will provide protections for LGBTQ+ youth from the harmful practice.In a 4-3 decision, the court ruled today that a ban enacted by the administration of Gov. Tony Evers (D) over two years ago can take effect even though the Republican-controlled state legislature tried to block it. The court ruled that the legislature did not have the authority to block the ban on conversion therapy. Related Judge partially overturns Virginias conversion therapy ban Conversion therapy has been linked withanxiety, severe psychological distress, depression, alcohol abuse, and suicidality. At issue is a ban on licensed mental health professionals trying to turn LGBTQ+ minors straight and cisgender that was adopted by the states Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Conversion therapy is a pseudoscientific practice that has been rejected by major mental health associations, including the National Association of Social Workers, the American Counseling Association, and the American Psychological Association. It is associated with an increased risk of anxiety, severe psychological distress, depression, alcohol abuse, high blood pressure, and suicidality, but many parents still force their children to undergo it.The Wisconsin Legislatures Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, which has a Republican majority, suspended the boards ban on conversion therapy. In 2023, Republicans brought a bill to the floor of the Wisconsin Assembly that would have stopped the board from banning the practice, but instead of passing it, Republicans voted 61-35 to send it to a committee. This maneuver is known as the legislative veto in Wisconsin since keeping the bill in limbo prevents state agencies from acting on the issue.The Evers administration sued to stop the joint committee on this issue and on another regulation concerning commercial building standards. Republicans in the case argued that the board actually didnt have the authority to enact the conversion therapy ban in the first place.The state supreme court heard the case in January. One judge called conversion therapy beyond horrific. There are real lives that are at risk here, said Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Jill Karofsky. This is hurting people. Other justices, according to the AP, focused on technical legal issues about the legislative veto or the administrations power to issue rules. The state supreme court ruled in 1992 in favor of the legislative veto, but the Evers administration argued that that ruling has proved unworkable.Twenty-seven states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico as well as over 100 local governments ban conversion therapy for minors. California was the first state to pass such a ban in 2012.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.