Washington state fights Tacoma therapist over conversion therapy

Lawyers with the Washington Attorney General’s office are in federal court defending the state's ban on conversion therapy.

A lawyer for a Tacoma therapist and Washington state attorneys argued their case in front of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last Tuesday, May 17.

A panel of the 9th Circuit in Seattle is hearing the case.

It's over Washington's ban on conversion therapy, enacted in 2018, which prevents therapists from working with minors in a way that tries to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The law is based on research that the practice can inflict harm on LGBTQ youth.

"Efforts to change sexual orientation and gender identity are ineffective and put minors at significant risk of harm, including elevated risks of suicidality, depression and elevated anxiety," argued attorney Cristina Sepa with the Washington state Attorney General's office.