Trump’s judges just overturned a law that bans fake therapy meant to turn gay kids straight

A federal appeals court has ruled that a ban on conversion therapy is unconstitutional, and the two judges who agreed with the majority were appointed by Donald Trump.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued a ruling earlier today in a case brought against Palm Beach County, Florida for its ban on conversion therapy in minors, the discredited practice that claims to be able to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Related: Conversion therapy survivor says the Mormon church pays for its members to undergo it

“We understand and appreciate that the therapy is highly controversial,” wrote Judge Britt C. Grant in the majority opinion. “But the First Amendment has no carveout for controversial speech. We hold that the challenged ordinances violate the First Amendment because they are content-based regulations of speech that cannot survive strict scrutiny.”

Judge Barbara Lagoa joined Grant in the majority of the 2-1 decision; both judges were appointed by Donald Trump and confirmed by a Republican Senate. The third, and dissenting, judge was Judge Beverly B. Martin, who was appointed by Barack Obama.

Conversion therapy attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity in order to make them straight or cisgender, and it has been denounced by major medical associations – including the American Medical Association and the British Psychological Society – because it is linked to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

A 2013 survey showed that…

Read full story, and more, from Source: Trump’s judges just overturned a law that bans fake therapy meant to turn gay kids straight

Share

About Gay Today

Editor of Gay Today