Judge Jane M. Beckering of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan has denied a preliminary injunction request by Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale Counties and an individual psychologist. They sought to block the enforcement of Michigan's ban on conversion therapy while their lawsuit against the law proceeds.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the decision, highlighting her support for maintaining the law. "The harms of conversion therapy on our children are well known and documented, which is why Governor Whitmer and health officials took action to protect their mental health," Nessel stated. She added that states have a duty to protect residents from treatments causing harm and expressed satisfaction with the court's decision.
The lawsuit challenges changes to the Michigan Mental Health Code, signed into law by Governor Whitmer in 2023, which prohibits any Michigan-licensed mental health professional from engaging in conversion therapy with minors. The plaintiffs argue that this violates their due process, free speech, and free exercise rights—claims rejected by Attorney General Nessel.
Judge Beckering found that while plaintiffs have standing at this stage, they are unlikely to succeed on claims regarding due process, free speech, and free exercise rights violations. She noted, "The Michigan legislature acted rationally when it decided to protect the psychological wellbeing of its minors by preventing state-licensed health care providers from engaging in conversion therapy with them."