Court blocks Michigan ban on conversion therapy on free speech grounds

https://apnews.com/article/conversion-therapy-ban-michigan-91fa7a0bb2e89bd491cf5b0bc76dcd18

A federal appeals court on Wednesday blocked Michigan’s ban on conversion therapy for minors who are LGBTQ+, declaring it violates the First Amendment rights of therapists and counselors.

In a 2-1 opinion, the court said the law illegally restricts speech that reflects the moral beliefs of therapists. It set aside a lower court’s ruling and granted a preliminary injunction sought by Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties.

“The Michigan law discriminates based on viewpoint — meaning the law permits speech on a particular topic only if the speech expresses a viewpoint that the government itself approves,” Judge Raymond Kethledge wrote, joined by Judge Joan Larsen.

133 points · 25 comments · view on lemmy.world

25 Comments

UnspecificGravity@piefed.social · 54 pts · 266d (7 replies)

So does this mean that basically all licensing requirements are also struck down? Can I open my bloodletting and phrenology practice?

_haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works · 33 pts · 266d (5 replies)

They have allowed chiropractors to continue their dangerous scam for decades, so you probably could've gotten away with that even before this.

MarriedCavelady50@lemmy.ml · 9 pts · 266d (4 replies)
[ removed ]
_haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works · 13 pts · 266d (2 replies)

"Haha, I accidentally the spinal cord. Whoopsiedaisy!"

-Chiropractors

davidgro@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 265d (1 reply)

"Aw nuts, killed another infant."

  • Chiropractors
_haha_oh_wow_@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 262d

"Sorry about causing you to have a stroke! Haha, I am kidding, just like I was kidding about being a medical doctor. My "doctorate" is also a lie that has no basis on actual science whatsoever!"

-Also chiropractors

mushroommunk@lemmy.today · 7 pts · 266d

Honestly they'd probably be doing less harm if that's what they did.

rothaine@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 265d

Why stop there? Start a false advertising firm!

BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world · 43 pts · 266d (4 replies)

There's zero scientific or empirical evidence that conversion therapy is safe and effective, but there is definite evidence of the opposite. That's why it's banned. Is attaching leeches to people still allowed on free speech grounds?

ThePantser@sh.itjust.works · 18 pts · 266d (3 replies)

Is attaching leeches to people still allowed on free speech grounds?

It's still a valid medical procedure for reattaching fingers. https://www.tgh.org/institutes-and-services/treatments/leech-therapy

Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io · 5 pts · 266d
NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 265d

If TV taught me anything, it's more than just that. It pops up in medical shows for various things on occasion.

BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 265d

Hey, if there's evidence it works.

Dragomus@lemmy.world · 30 pts · 266d (5 replies)

So, uh conversion therapy falls under free speech ... but if someone claims to feel at home with lgbtq is not free speech?

BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world · 13 pts · 266d (1 reply)

I think some red states might actually benefit from therapists that specialize in helping people feel comfortable with their sexuality.

frongt@lemmy.zip · 9 pts · 266d

No that's gender-affirming care, that's banned

DarkAri@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 263d (2 replies)
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JennyLaFae@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 262d (1 reply)

Conservativism requires repression and conformity. Repression and conformity cause people to develop paraphilias and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

They lash out and abuse anyone who dares not conform, they hurt people who cause them to have thought crimes.

Every one of them is an abuser.

DarkAri@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 262d

Very true

BeanGoblin@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 20 pts · 266d

"Your honor, the officer who tackled me for screaming 'I have a bomb!' in the middle of the airport was restricting my free speech rights."

ruuster13@lemmy.zip · 17 pts · 266d

Oh so this applies to gender-affirming therapy too... right?

Stamau123@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 266d

Oh fuck off

SkunkWorkz@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 266d

So conversion therapy for straight kids will also be allowed right.

phoenixz@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 266d (1 reply)

We need religious liberation therapy, if anything, to get people out of believing in these harmful fairytales

Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io · 1 pts · 266d

Mandatory SLT (Straight Liberation Therapy), seems like a viable use case as well.

Rooty@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 264d

Calling it conversion "therapy" is validating it. Call it for what it is - torturing and often murdering gay kids.

homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 266d

Bribing politicians? Also free speech!

Yeeeahh . . . That’s the ticket!