Federal ruling strikes down local Florida conversion therapy bans, citing First Amendment protection
(Worthy News) – A panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a local Florida ordinance Friday that prohibited licensed therapists from engaging in conversion therapy, ruling that banning the controversial practice that aims to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity violates therapists’ First Amendment rights.
In a 2-1 decision, the federal appellate court in Atlanta sided with therapists Robert Otto and Julie Hamilton, who challenged the constitutionality of measures adopted by Palm Beach County and the city of Boca Raton that banned conversion therapy.
The county and city ordinances expressly prohibited licensed counselors from “treating minors with any counseling, practice or treatment performed with the goal of changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity,” citing widespread consensus such therapy is harmful. [ Source: Washington Examiner (Read More…) ]
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