I am personally elated about this great news for LGBT youth in California, from the Court today:
In resolving two separate legal challenges to the new law, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court rejected the arguments of a group of 'Christian' therapists and families who sued to block its enforcement. The three-judge panel was unanimous in upholding the statute, the first of its kind in the nation.
"(It) does not violate the free speech rights of practitioners or minor patients, is neither vague nor overbroad and does not violate parents' fundamental rights," Judge Susan Graber wrote for the court.
The therapists and families sued over the ban, arguing that it violates the free speech rights of therapists to discuss gay conversion with young patients, and families argued that the law tramples on religious freedoms to seek therapy to convert their children from homosexuality. The law barred licensed mental health professionals from using the therapy on those under the age of 18.A year ago, my CA LGBT therapist friends and I were working our butts off to pass this first law of its type in the world, through the state's legislature as well as get Governor Brown to sign it. It was tough-going but we did it. And today, the Federal Court for the 9th Circuit sided with us, the California Psychological Association, and others -- to protect CA minors from these harmful ex-gay practices. This ruling should encourage other states to enact similar laws to those of CA and NJ.
Most importantly, thousands of gay kids in California will be safe-guarded from this psycho-quackery. Bravo!
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