The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a First Amendment challenge to a 2012 California law prohibiting licensed therapists from attempting to change the sexual orientation of youths under 18. A minister challenged the law on the grounds that it stifled religious practices and speech in the form of prayers and readings. A 9th Circuit ruling held that the law was constitutional in regulating conduct rather than speech.(San Francisco Chronicle, May 1, 2017, by Bob Egelko)
Six other states and the District Of Coumbia have laws banning gay conversion therapy. Medical authorities and psychologists have criticized the therapy as harmful to youth as many undergoing the treatment experienced suicidal thoughts. (teenVOGUE, May 1, 2017, 2017, by Brittney McNamara)