US EditionVirginia Agrees Not to Fully Enforce State Law Banning Conversion Therapy for LGBTQ+ Minors
- In June 2025, a consent decree was reached in Virginia whereby state authorities consented to limit enforcement of the 2020 law that prohibits conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors, following a lawsuit by two counselors.
- The 2020 law, signed by former Gov. Ralph Northam, prohibits licensed professionals from providing counseling aimed at altering the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors, citing concerns about the practice’s harm and widespread rejection by medical and mental health organizations.
- An agreement involving Virginia's health regulatory agency and the Raymonds allows voluntary talk therapy between counselors and patients, thereby exempting certain types of conversion therapy from disciplinary action.
- Spokesperson Shaun Kenney explained that the court ruling addresses a constitutional issue by permitting counseling sessions between consenting therapists and clients, while the Founding Freedoms Law Center described the decision as a win for both free speech and the protection of religious rights.
- The ruling could influence ongoing legal challenges and debates about protecting religious freedom and free speech versus preventing harm to LGBTQ youth, as supporters warn unaccepted sexuality increases youth suicide risk eightfold.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Virginia agrees not to fully enforce state law banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors
Virginia officials have agreed not to fully enforce a 2020 law banning conversion therapy for minors as part of an agreement with a faith-based conservative group that sued over the law.
Associated Press News
Virginia agrees not to fully enforce state law banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ minors
Virginia has agreed not to fully enforce a 2020 law banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ minors as part of a lawsuit settlement.
Court rules talk-based conversion therapy is legal in Virginia
From left to right: Family Foundation president Victoria Cobb, Founding Freedoms Law Center lawyer Josh Hetzler, and counselors/plaintiffs John and Janet Raymond celebrate a court ruling to overturn a ban on talk-based conversion therapy. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)A Henrico County Circuit Court judge ordered that licensed counselors be allowed to engage underage clients in a controversial form of talk therapy about gender i…
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