SCOTUS Declines to Hear Challenge to New Jersey Law Protecting LGBTQ Youth from “Conversion Therapy”

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court again refused to hear a challenge to New Jersey’s law protecting LGBTQ youth from the fraudulent and dangerous practice of so-called “conversion therapy.” Republican Governor Chris Christie signed this important legislation into law in August of 2013. The Court’s action leaves in place the decision of the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upholding the law’s constitutionality. Last May, the Supreme Court declined to review a separate challenge to the same law, and on two prior occasions, the Court refused to hear similar challenges to California’s law protecting youth from “conversion therapy.”

California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon and the District of Columbia have all passed laws protecting LGBTQ minors from  “conversion therapy,” and more than 20 states have introduced similar legislation this year. Following an executive action from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, New York is also adopting regulations to protect youth from “conversion therapy.”

Last week, HRC, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a historic federal consumer fraud complaint against a major provider of “conversion therapy,” urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take enforcement action against the organization and all practitioners engaging in similar fraudulent advertising and business practices.

“Conversion therapy,” sometimes referred to as “sexual orientation change efforts” or “reparative therapy,” are practices that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. These practices are based on the false premise that being LGBTQ is a mental illness that needs to be cured, a theory that has been rejected by every major medical and mental health organization for decades.

There is no credible evidence that “conversion therapy” can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. To the contrary, research has clearly shown that these practices pose devastating health risks for LGBTQ young people. Use of these dangerous practices lead to depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, homelessness, and even suicidal behavior, which is why they are universally criticized by the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and American Medical Association.

More information on the lies and dangers of efforts to change sexual orientation or gender identity can be found here.

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Vigil For Victims of Hate and Violence of Alabama

Post submitted by HRC Alabama Field Organizer Tori Wolfe-Sisson

Earlier this month, HRC Alabama joined community supporters from around the state on the steps of the Alabama Statehouse for the 18^th annual Vigil for Victims of Hate and Violence.  The vigil was held for those who have lost their lives to bias motivated violence based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The annual event started in 1999 following the death of Billy Jack Gaither. Gaither, a 39 year old gay man who worked at the Russell Athletics apparel company near Sylacauga, Alabama, was brutally beaten to death.

​This year the keynote speaker was Judge Vanzetta McPherson.  The community members who were honored with the Billy Jack Gaither Humanitarian Award were Dr. Paul Hard, a professor at Auburn University of Montgomery who has been in a legal battle over his late husband’s estate, and Caleb Gumbs, the vice president of Amplified, the first recognized LGBTQ organization on Alabama State University’s campus. Caleb​ identifies​ as a Black trans man.

PFLAG, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Montgomery, Amplified ASU, HRC Alabama and Montgomery Pride United cosponsored the event.

The passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009 sent an important message to our nation that the federal government will not tolerate violent crimes that target individuals because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or other characteristics. However, Alabama does not have an LGBT-inclusive hate crime laws.

To learn more about the hate crime laws in your state, visit HRC’s State Equality Index (SEI), or HRC’s guide on state hate crimes laws for a comprehensive state-by-state reports that provides a review of statewide laws and policies that affect LGBT people and their families.

Pictured: Eva Walton Kendrick presenting Dr. Paul Hard with his award.

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