Supreme Court Rejects Challenge To WA State Ban On Conversion Therapy

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal filed by “Christian therapist” Brian Tingley against Washington state’s ban on so-called “conversion therapy,” allowing the law aimed at protecting LGBTQ minors to remain in effect. Tingley, a licensed marriage and family counselor, claims the law violates his free speech rights under the Constitution’s First Amendment because the government is seeking to dictate what he says. But, as many experts have noted, the dangerous practice of “conversion therapy” (aka reparative therapy) is known to lead to depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behavior. https://twitter.com/chrisgeidner/status/1734272356003049660 From Chris Geidner at Law Dork:

Both the district court and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit had rejected Brian Tingley’s challenge to Washington’s law, dismissing his case. Under Monday’s decision denying certiorari at the Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit decision stands — and Tingley’s case is at its end.

More than 25 states and Washington, D.C., have some statewide protections against conversion therapy for minors, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Only Indiana has a state law banning local policies banning conversion therapy.

Practically every major medical organization (including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Counseling Association, and the American Medical Association) opposes the debunked, harmful practice of conversion therapy. https://twitter.com/NBCNews/status/1734226627796533278