It’s been a year since a bill was signed into law banning the use of conversion therapy on children in Michigan. It’s a method used to try to change a person’s sexual orientation. Now, a group of Catholic counselors have filed a lawsuit to overturn the law.
The group claims the law violates their free speech rights as Catholic counselors.
Luke Doodrich is one of the plaintiffs. He says conversion therapy is helpful to children struggling with their identities.
“There’s mounting evidence that pushing children down a path of a medical transition with drugs, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries is deeply harmful,” Doodrich said. “So a lot of doctors are saying what the children really need is compassionate counseling to help them understand the underlying causes of their distress. And this is just the type of counseling that the plaintiffs in this case provide. That’s what these kids need.”
LGBTQ advocates in Michigan believe conversion therapy to be harmful to children, increasing risks of depression, anxiety, and severe distress.
