Two recent lawsuits have put what has been called gay “conversion therapy” in the news. The premise of conversion therapy, sometimes called “reparative” or “ex-gay” therapy, is that it will convert a gay person into a straight person.
The Chicago Tribune reported that four gay men who underwent treatment designed to change their sexual orientation recently filed a lawsuit in New Jersey, accusing their therapists of fraud.
ABC News said that the lawsuit, filed in Superior Court of New Jersey Hudson County, alleges methods used by the Jersey City-based Jews Offering New Alternatives to Healing (JONAH) do not work, and constitute fraud under the state's consumer protection laws.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a rights group based in Montgomery, Ala., is bringing the suit on behalf of the four former patients and two of their mothers, who say they paid thousands of dollars not only for useless therapy for their sons, but also for more counseling to undo the damage, wrote the New York Times.
According to the SPLC, it is the first time a “conversion therapy” provider has been sued for fraudulent business practices, said NBC News.
The lawsuit says clients of JONAH’s services typically paid a minimum of $100 for weekly individual counseling sessions and another $60 for group therapy sessions, wrote NBC News.
ABC News said the plaintiffs are seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, an undisclosed amount of monetary relief, as well as court costs, according to the lawsuit.
CNN reported a statement from JONAH:
"The lawsuit is without merit, and is designed to create a chilling effect upon speech and programs that assist people in overcoming unwanted same-sex attractions. We remain steadfast in our commitment to assist those with unwanted same-sex attractions. There are thousands of people who have shed their unwanted same-sex attractions, not only through our programs, but also through other similar programs."
And on the West Coast, the New York Times reported that so-called ex-gay therapists have gone to court to argue for the other side. They are seeking to block a new California state law, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in September. CNN said that the law made it illegal for licensed counselors to use conversion therapy with clients under 18.
NBC News wrote that at least two groups, the Christian legal organization Liberty Counsel and the California-based Pacific Justice Institute, have filed lawsuits challenging the California state law. New York Times wrote that the groups claim the ban is an unconstitutional infringement on speech, religion and privacy.
Sources:
Bennett-Smith, Meredith. "Gay Orthodox Jews Sue Conversion Therapy Counselors Who Promised To Make Them Straight." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/gay-orthodox-jews-sue-conversion-counselors-promised-make-straigh_n_2200001.html
Donaldson James, Susan. "N.J. Lawsuit Alleges JONAH Gay Conversion Therapy Fraud - ABC News." ABCNews.com - Breaking News, Latest News & Top Video News - ABC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/nj-lawsuit-alleges-jonah-gay-conversion-therapy-fraud/story?id=17814302
Duke, Alan. "Conversion therapist: Lawsuit won't stop us - CNN.com." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/29/us/conversion-therapy-response
Eckholm, Erik. "Gay Conversion Therapy Faces Tests in Courts - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/28/us/gay-conversion-therapy-faces-tests-in-courts.html?hp&_r=0
Eng, James. "Four men sue New Jersey organization over 'gay conversion therapy' - U.S. News." U.S. News. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/27/15486181-four-men-sue-new-jersey-organization-over-gay-conversion-therapy?lite
Rudegeair, Peter. "New Jersey gay conversion therapy group sued for fraud - Chicago Tribune." Featured Articles From The Chicago Tribune. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-11-27/news/sns-rt-us-usa-court-gayconversionbre8aq16b-20121127_1_conversion-therapy-jonah-sam-wolfe.
Reviewed December 3, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith