N.J. gay conversion therapy ban is upheld

NEWARK, N.J. - A federal judge on Friday upheld a New Jersey law barring therapists from trying to turn gay youths straight.

U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson said in the ruling that the law does not violate free speech or religious protection.

The law "on its face does not target speech, and 'counseling' is not entitled to special constitutional protection merely because it is primarily carried out through talk therapy," Wolfson wrote.

Gov. Christie signed a ban on gay conversion therapy in August.

Christie, a Republican, said the health risks of trying to change a child's sexual orientation, identified by the American Psychological Association, usurped concerns about parental choice. Christie, however, said it was an area where the government should "tread carefully."

California is the only other state to ban the practice. In August, a federal appeals court upheld that state's statute.

The New Jersey lawsuit, filed by two therapists, the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, and the American Association of Christian Counselors, argued that the law violates the right to free speech because counselors are barred from talking about conversion therapy.

The plaintiffs also argued that it infringed upon the right to exercise religion and parents to "direct the upbringing and education of their children according to their sincerely held religious beliefs."

Demetrios K. Stratis, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Wolfson granted a motion to allow Garden State Equality to intervene in the lawsuit. Its president, Troy Stevenson, said in a statement that the ruling was a "huge victory for New Jersey youth."