According to Out in the 562, two California groups—the California-based Pacific Justice Institute and the Florida-based Liberty Counsel—are filing lawsuits in an attempt to overturn SB 1172.
The bill, aimed at banning reparative therapy which seeks to alter the sexual orientation of minors, was signed by Governor Jerry Brown late last month, much to the applause of both LGBTQ and mental health organizations.
The Pacific Justice Institute filed its suit on behalf of family therapist/minister, a Roman Catholic psychiatrist and a person who claims to have benefited from what Brown called “quackery.” It seems to be the lawsuit will be based on a supposed violation of the First Amendement and equal protection rights, though the counsel for the Legislature stated that no such violations have occurred.
Given that even its creator, renowned psychiatrist Dr. Robert Spitzer, not only outright rejected the therapy’s validity but apologized to the LGBTQ community for having even supported it initially, it should of no shock that mainstream mental professionals do not endorse nor advocate the therapy.
Following an appearance that eventually went viral, a representative of the California-based National Association for Research and Therapy on Homosexuality (NARTH), David Pickup, asserted that their organization will be taking legal action as well. However, that has not be confirmed.
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