February 4, 2014

The following Liberty Counsel press release “Ninth Circuit Stays Ruling on California Change Therapy Ban” is reprinted in its entirety: San Francisco, CA—Yesterday the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco granted Liberty Counsel’s motion requesting the court to stay its recent ruling in Pickup v. Brown regarding the California law which bans change therapy.

The law was scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2013, but Liberty Counsel obtained an injunction blocking the law. Last week the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law, but the decision drew a strong dissent from three judges. Liberty Counsel filed a motion to stay the opinion, stating it will be filing a Petition asking the Supreme Court to review the case. The Court of Appeals granted the motion and stayed the ruling until the Supreme Court acts on the Petition.

“Our clients are very pleased that the ruling has been stayed. The law remains blocked and cannot be implemented,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. Liberty Counsel represents parents, their children, and two counseling associations—the National Association of Research and Therapy on Homosexuality and the American Association of Christian Counselors.

Liberty Counsel will now ask the Supreme Court to review this case. Liberty Counsel has filed two similar cases on change therapy in New Jersey, King v. Christie and Doe v. Christie. Change therapy bans have also been proposed in Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington. Liberty Counsel is communicating with legislators in those states as well. “If legislation passes in other states and minors and counselors ask for our help, we will file similar lawsuits,” Staver said.

“The minors we represent do not want to act on same-sex attractions nor do they want to engage in such behavior. They are greatly benefiting from this counseling. Their grades have gone up, their self-esteem has improved, and their relationships at home are much improved. If this ban on change therapy went into effect, it would have devastating consequences for our clients. The next step in this case is the Supreme Court,” said Staver.

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.