The state of Michigan has agreed it will not enforce its ban on conversion talk therapy for LGBTQ+ minors, according to July agreement reached in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids.
The move follows a March U.S. Supreme Court decision that a ban on conversion talk therapy is unconstitutional
Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties sued the state in 2024, saying Michigan's ban on conversion therapy violated the First Amendment rights of practitioners.
Conversion therapy is a controversial and discredited therapy that seeks change an individual's identity from LGBTQ+ to heterosexual or cisgender. It may involve talk therapy. In some cases, it may involve electrical shock treatment or medications.
The U.S. Court of Appeals issued
a temporary injunction in 2025, prohibiting the state from enforcing its law.
In March, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a Colorado ban on conversion talk therapy was unconstitutional because it violated free speech protections. Bans on other types of conversion therapy were not impacted.
In a court-approved agreement entered July 31 by a U.S. District Court Judge Jane Beckering in Grand Rapids, the state of Michigan agreed that it would not enforce its law against talk conversion therapy. The court issued a permanent injunction forbidding the ban.
When asked about the settlement, Whitmer's office issued this comment: "Governor Whitmer believes that every young person deserves the right to grow up safe, supported, and free to be themselves. This order is disappointing and represents a step back for the LGBTQ+ community. Michigan will never support any practice that harms or shames LGBTQ+ youth. The governor will continue to fight to ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals are protected from attacks and that their voices are heard."
Said Luke Goodrich, attorney for Catholic Charities in a statement: “This is a major victory for children, counselors, and common sense."
In 2023, the Michigan House and Senate passed bills banning the practice, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the ban into law in July of that year. The bills passed mostly along party lines, with Democrats supporting them and Republicans largely opposed. At the time, LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations commended the legislation.
There is no evidence conversion therapy is effective, however, there is evidence the practice can be harmful to children’s development, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
Detroit Free Press politics reporter Arpan Lobo contributed to this report.
Contact Georgea Kovanis: gkovanis@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan won't enforce its ban on conversion talk therapy for minors
