KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas is promising a replacement ordinance for the conversion therapy ban the City Council recently repealed.

Lucas, in a virtual town hall Sunday, said that new proposed legislation could be made public as early as Monday. He said a new version of the ordinance would be “among the toughest in the country” that will stand up to legal challenges.

“What we have done over recent weeks is tried to craft, and I think you will see very soon, new legislation that looks to ban harmful therapies that lead to suicides, that lead to self-harm,” Lucas said.

Lucas’ comments come as the fallout continues after the City Council’s recent vote to repeal its ban on conversion therapy, the scientifically discredited practice of attempting to change a gay or transgender person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

An online petition posted Friday — led by Justice Horn, a candidate for the Jackson County Legislature — aims to ban Lucas and six council members from participating in Kansas City’s Pride Parade. As of Monday morning, more than 400 people have signed the petition.

Lucas did not mention the petition during the town hall, but he said he’s dealt with negative response from constituents before, calling it a “tough part of the job.” He also said the City Council’s communication with the public regarding the plan should have been better, but the city is focused on enacting an ordinance that works.

“I think what we need to do is make sure that we repeal and replace and come up with something that’s better,” Lucas said. “I think we have that, something that’s better, and I expect us to be able to roll that out for you sometime pretty soon.”

U.S. Supreme Court ruling and free speech

The City Council’s vote on May 21 came as the Missouri attorney general’s office is suing the city on behalf of a group of Christian counselors. The case against the city was bolstered by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in March that found a similar ban in Colorado is unconstitutional for limiting free speech. It also likely made the city’s ordinance unenforceable.

The council members narrowly passed the ordinance repealing the ban with a 7-5 vote, with some voting against the measure as a form of protest. Lucas voted to repeal the ordinance and was joined by council members Ryana Parks-Shaw, Darell Curls, Melissa Robinson, Nathan Willet, Kevin O’Neil and Johnathan Duncan, who faced significant backlash from his constituents.

In response to the court ruling, Colorado lawmakers enacted a new state law that allows people who experience conversion therapy to seek civil lawsuits against organizations so they can claim damages.

New version of conversion therapy ban?

Lucas told the online audience Sunday that Kansas City’s new version of a ban would likely be different. He said the city does not have the legal authority to allow for civil lawsuits because it would require state legislation.

But he noted Kansas City’s previous ban included a criminal law punishment, unlike the Colorado ban, and a new ban would again include that kind of enforcement.

“We are taking real steps to actually have a stronger ordinance, something that will stand the test within the courts,” Lucas said.

GASTON, Ind. (WKRC) – An Indiana man was accused of sexually assaulting a young homeless woman in a barn.

According to WXIN, 34-year-old Dale E. Bosworth was arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted a homeless 18-year-old woman in a barn after the two connected through social media.

WXIN reported that Bosworth picked up the woman on May 24 while visiting Kokomo, Indiana, and brought her back to his home after seeing a Facebook post in which she said she had no money and nowhere to stay.

Court documents obtained and reviewed by WXIN state that Bosworth and his wife picked up the woman in a truck around 10 p.m. and drove her to their home. The woman stayed the night and was later offered $100 to perform work in a barn in Delaware County.

According to WXIN, Bosworth drove the woman to a friend’s barn in Gaston, Indiana. While the two were alone, Bosworth allegedly asked if she wanted to “fool around.” The woman told law enforcement she did not respond to the question. Bosworth then allegedly began rubbing her back and unzipped his overalls.

WXIN reported that Bosworth is accused of sexually assaulting the woman until he heard a noise near the barn. He later allegedly told his friend that the woman was refusing to work and that he needed to take her back to his home.

During the drive back to Marion, Indiana, the woman used the “Texty” app to contact Grant County 911 and reported that she had been raped, according to WXIN.

Authorities in Grant County then contacted the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies later located and stopped Bosworth’s vehicle, per the report.

While being questioned by investigators, Bosworth reportedly admitted that the woman had stayed at his home. Court documents reviewed by WXIN state that he spent “well over 20 minutes” explaining how he came to be alone with the alleged victim while denying any sexual contact.

When asked whether his DNA would be found on the woman’s body, Bosworth allegedly admitted to certain sexual acts. According to WXIN, he told investigators that the woman “did not say yes or no” when he asked her to undress and engage in sexual intercourse, but claimed she “looked at him” when he asked.

Authorities said Bosworth later admitted to portions of the assault after initially providing false statements and reportedly told investigators that “cops freak him out,” according to the report.

Bosworth was arrested and charged with the following, per WXIN:

According to WXIN, investigators determined that Bosworth knowingly and intentionally caused the woman to submit to sexual conduct, which constitutes rape under Indiana law.

He is being held without bond at the Delaware County Jail, WXIN reported.