Supreme Court refused to hear a case against California Senate Bill 1172, a bill which bans sexual orientation conversion therapy, on Monday.
The case was brought by Liberty Counsel, a Christian legal aid group. They wanted the Supreme Court to step in because although many LGBTQ activists believe that conversion therapy can be harmful, Liberty Counsel argued that there is no scientific evidence to prove the harm. Instead, they believe that not providing counsel does more harm.
Mat Staver, the Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, explained, “The minors we represent do not want to act on same sex attractions, nor do they want to engage in such behavior. They are greatly benefiting from this counseling. Their grades have gone up, their self-esteem has improved, and their relationships at home are much improved.”
Meanwhile, the LGBTQ celebrated the Court’s refusal.
“This life-saving law has cleared the final hurdle and will now protect California youth from harmful practices that have been rejected by all leading medical and mental health organizations. This important legislation will permanently improve the health and well-being of California’s most vulnerable LGBT young people. We look forward to more states joining California and New Jersey in preventing state-licensed therapists from engaging in discredited practices that offer no health benefits and put LGBT youth at risk of severe harm, including depression and suicide,” said Shannon Minter, Legal Director of National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR).
It seems that with both sides strongly believing that the other does more harm, this battle will not be over so simply. Mat Staver confirms this.
He declared, “I can assure you the battle over change therapy is far from over. We will be back.”
