Carson City, NV — Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced his participation in a multistate coalition defending a Michigan law that prohibits licensed health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors. Conversion therapy, also known as sexual orientation or gender identity change efforts, is considered harmful and ineffective.
“Nevada banned conversion ‘therapy’ years ago because it is extraordinarily damaging to children and causes long-term psychological harm to those who have been put through it,” said AG Ford. “These so-called treatments do nothing to actually help children. Rather, they put youth at increased risk for self-harm, up to and including suicide. I am proud to sign on to this brief to stop this damaging practice; protect the rights of states; and defend our nation’s youth.”
The Michigan law faces a legal challenge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The amicus brief filed by 19 states and the District of Columbia supports Michigan’s ban on conversion therapy, arguing that it is not safe or effective and poses serious risks such as increased suicide and depression rates among youth.
Nevada is among over 25 states that ban or restrict conversion therapy. Leading medical organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association repudiate the practice.
The brief argues against claims challenging Michigan’s ban:
– The First Amendment does not protect dangerous mental health practices from regulation.
– States have historically regulated professional standards of care.
– Overturning such bans could undermine state authority over professional practices.
Joining AG Ford are attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.
