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NARTH files its own lawsuit challenging California’s ban on “ex-gay” therapy
October 15, 2012
By Scottie Thomaston
As we noted before, Liberty Council and Pacific Justice Institute filed a lawsuit challenging the newly-signed law in California banning the practice of “ex-gay” conversion therapy for minors. The complaint (which can be found here) alleges violation of the “right to privacy”, the first amendment’s protections against freedom of religion and viewpoint discrimination, and it alleges the statute is vague and overbroad.
Now the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) has filed its own lawsuit challenging the ban. Their lawsuit aims to prevent the statute from “violating their [plaintiffs'] respective federal and state constitutional guarantees of Freedom of Speech, Free Exercise of Religion, and the fundamental right to direct the upbringing of one’s child.” Many of the plaintiffs in NARTH’s lawsuit practice this type of therapy, and the complaint suggests that it can be effective.
National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and Equality California are ready for any lawsuit challenging the ban. And new bills to ban the practice are being introduced in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The complaints in both challenges are here, h/t Kathleen:
Having technical problems? E-mail equalityontrial AT couragecampaign DOT org for assistance!
8 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
echamberlain | October 15, 2012 at 10:41 am
It's not free speech, it's commercial speech and to sell products in California, the product must have an implied warranty of merchantability. All NARTH needs to do is prove in court that the "therapy" works, then they can sell it to children.
2.
dr. shock 'em | October 15, 2012 at 11:05 am
If the voltage is high enough anyone will scream i've changed!
3.
Old Verger | October 15, 2012 at 11:53 am
The statute applies to the treatment of children, but not to adults. Methinks it pretty clear that the State has an interest in protecting all children from dangerous medical and/or psychological treatments and drugs.
4.
davep | October 15, 2012 at 12:07 pm
They'll have to do more than simply prove it works. They'll also have to prove it isn't harmful and that parents should be allowed to inflict this on children. Good luck with that, narth. I hope these trials get LOTs of media visibility.
5.
Reformed | October 15, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Do these groups use porn as part of their therapy with children (or adults for that matter)?
6.
echamberlain | October 15, 2012 at 8:31 pm
No, they cut a hole in the child's head to let the demon out.
7.
Deeelaaach | October 16, 2012 at 11:33 pm
I think they use leeches to let the demon out too.
8. Prop 8 Trial Tracker &raq&hellip | December 4, 2012 at 10:09 am
[...] new law banning so-called gay ‘conversion therapy’ is facing a number of court challenges on First Amendment and other grounds. The law marks the first time that a state [...]
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