Lawsuit Against NJ Gay Reparative Therapy Ban Tossed For A Second Time

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A federal judge in New Jersey has tossed a lawsuit challenging the state's ban on gay conversion therapy for the second time in nine months.

The ruling in U.S. District Court in Trenton filed on Thursday rejected the claims of a New Jersey couple who said their constitutional rights were being violated because the law prevents them from seeking treatment for their 15-year-old son.

The couple had claimed in their lawsuit filed last fall that the teen suffers from "unwanted gender identity disorder and unwanted same-sex attractions'' and has contemplated suicide.

Last November, the same judge dismissed another challenge to the law filed by a group of plaintiffs that included two licensed therapists who practice what is called "sexual orientation change efforts.''

Gov. Chris Christie signed a law last year banning the therapy that attempts to turn gay teenagers straight, saying at the time that the potential health risks trumped concerns over the government setting limits on parental choice.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories:

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)