Suit Challenges Local Bans On Conversion Therapy For Minors

A suit was filed this week in a Florida federal district court challenging the constitutionality of ordinances enacted by the city of Boca Raton and by Palm Beach county which prohibit licensed counselors from practicing conversion therapy on minors.  The complaint (full text) in Otto v. City of Boca Raton, Florida, (SD FL, filed 6/13/2018), filed on behalf of counselors and their patients, contends that the ordinances violate speech and religious exercise rights under the federal and state constitutions, as well as state statutory protection of religious exercise and other state statutory provisions. Liberty Counsel issued a press release announcing the filing of the lawsuit.