Appeals Court Upholds Ban On Gay Conversion Therapy In New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A legal challenge to the ban on gay conversion therapy in New Jersey suffered yet another court defeat on Thursday.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on upheld a lower-court ruling in a lawsuit filed by several people -- including two licensed therapists -- who practice what are called ``sexual orientation change efforts.''

A federal judge in Trenton had dismissed the lawsuit last November, rejecting plaintiffs' claims that the law violates their rights to free speech and free exercise of religion.

Another challenge to the bill was tossed by a federal judge gay conversion therapy for the in July.

That challenge stemmed from a suit was filed by the unnamed couple and their teenage son last year. It claimed their constitutional rights were being violated because the ban prevents them from seeking treatment for their son.

Gov. Chris Christie signed the law last year banning the therapy for patients under 18.

In its ruling Thursday, the appeals court upheld the ban though it disagreed with the lower court's definition of verbal communication during therapy sessions as conduct and not speech.

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