Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
A federal appeals court on Wednesday blocked michiganBans conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ minors, declaring it a violation of the First Amendment rights of therapists and counselors.
In a 2–1 opinion, the court held that the law unlawfully restricts speech that reflects physicians’ moral beliefs. It vacated the lower court’s decision and granted a preliminary injunction Catholic charity Of jacksonLenawee and Hillsdale Counties.
“Michigan law discriminates on the basis of viewpoint – meaning that the law permits speech on a particular topic only if the speech expresses a viewpoint that the government itself approves of,” Judge Raymond Kethledge wrote, joined by Judge Joan Larson.
He said the law allows counseling that helps someone undergoing gender transition.
The court’s decision comes more than two months after the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the Colorado case, which could resolve the issue nationwide.
In a dissent, Judge Rachel Blumekatz said the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals should have waited for the Supreme Court to act.
The Michigan bill was passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature and signed into law in 2023 by Democratic Gov. Gretchen WhitmerWho said that conversion therapy is a “terrible practice”. If physicians violate the law they may lose their license. More than 20 states have similar laws.
LGBTQ+ rights advocates have cited research suggesting that conversion therapy may increase the risk of suicide and depression.