Washington’s LGBTQ ‘Conversion Therapy’ Prohibition Will Stand

The full US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit won’t reconsider a decision upholding two Washington laws that prohibit state-licensed medical professionals from practicing so-called conversion therapy on LGBTQ patients under 18 years old.

The denial of en banc review will leave in place a panel ruling affirming the dismissal of therapist Brian Tingley’s challenge. Five judges dissented from the decision, however, arguing that the panel’s ruling relied on precedent of questionable validity, used the wrong standard of review, and contributed to a circuit court split.

Conversion therapy is a practice meant to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender ...