The Supreme Court on Monday refused to
hear a challenge to New Jersey's ban on “ex-gay” therapy to
minors.
Two years ago, New Jersey became the
second state after California to prohibit so-called conversion
therapy that attempts to turn gay teens straight. The District of
Columbia recently approved a similar law.
Republican Governor Chris Christie said
in signing the law that he does not believe being gay is a choice and
that such therapies expose children to health risks.
Two groups which promote such
therapies, the National Association for Research and Therapy of
Homosexuality (NARTH) and the American Association of Christian
Counselors, sued the state, arguing that the law infringes on
parents' rights to “direct the upbringing and education of their
children according to their sincerely held religious beliefs.”
In September, a 3-judge panel of the
Third Circuit Court in Philadelphia upheld a lower court's
determination that the law does not violate free speech or religious
freedom. Opponents turned to the Supreme Court.
Justices refused to review the case
without comment.