Washington State Defeats Suit Over Gay Conversion Therapy Ban

Washington may continue enforcing a law that bans licensed counselors from engaging in LGBT “conversion therapy” with minors, as the law regulates professional conduct and doesn’t violate therapists’ free speech rights, a federal court in the state said.

Brian Tingley’s challenge to the law, which imposes licensing sanctions against counselors who engage in efforts to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity, must be dismissed under Ninth Circuit precedent, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington said.

Washington’s law is substantially similar to a California provision upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth ...