NEW JERSEY: Liberty Counsel Appeals "Ex-Gay" Torture Ban To SCOTUS

After losing twice before the Ninth Circuit Court, in late June the Liberty Counsel was smacked down by SCOTUS in their attempt to overturn California's ban on "ex-gay" torture. But they are trying again, this time in New Jersey. Via press release:

Today Liberty Counsel filed its Petition for a Writ of Certiorari in King v. Christie, Liberty Counsel’s case on behalf of licensed mental health professionals who are providing, and families who are receiving, counseling to overcome their unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or identity. The Third Circuit upheld New Jersey’s ban on change counseling, but its discussion of the law created a circuit split on the issue of the appropriate level of scrutiny applied to regulations of professional speech and also on the issue of whether counseling in this area constitutes speech at all. Liberty Counsel is asking the High Court to resolve those critical questions on the rights of licensed professionals. “If counseling regarding change is banned today in New Jersey, tomorrow a different legislature with an opposite political agenda could ban affirmation and allow only counsel regarding change,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. “The state thwarts self-determination when it interferes with the counselor-client or doctor-patient relationship,” Staver concluded.

As in their losing California appeal, the New Jersey appeal was filed on behalf of NARTH. Read today's filing.

RELATED: This week the Washington DC City Council voted unanimously to ban "ex-gay" torture.