Court blocks Michigan ban on conversion therapy on free speech grounds
[December 18, 2025]
By ED WHITE
DETROIT (AP) — 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.
They noted that the law permits counseling that helps someone undergoing
a gender transition.
The court's decision comes more than two months after the U.S. Supreme
Court heard arguments in a Colorado case that could resolve the issue
nationwide.
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 In a dissent, Judge Rachel
Bloomekatz said the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals should have
waited for the Supreme Court to act.
The Michigan bill was passed by the
Democratic-controlled Legislature and signed into law in 2023 by
Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who said conversion therapy is a
“horrific practice.” Therapists could lose their license if they
violate the law. More than 20 states have a similar law.
LGBTQ+ rights advocates have cited research suggesting conversion
therapy can increase the risk of suicide and depression.
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