In a landmark victory, a jury has found that a New Jersey provider of conversion therapy violated the state’s consumer fraud law by offering services that purport to turn gay people straight.
In a landmark victory, a jury has found that a New Jersey provider of conversion therapy violated the state’s consumer fraud law by offering services that purport to turn gay people straight.
The SPLC suit claims therapy purporting to turn gay people straight is fraudulent and based on junk science.
The SPLC urged Capitol Hill lawmakers to pass legislation that would create a nationwide ban on conversion therapy – a dangerous and discredited practice based on the false premise that homosexuality is a disorder that should be cured. The legislation was inspired by an SPLC lawsuit against a conversion therapy provider set for trial next month.
A transgender woman repeatedly sexually assaulted as she was held in prisons housing Georgia’s most dangerous male felons has been transferred to a medium-security prison – potentially placing her in a safer environment. The move comes after the SPLC sued state officials earlier this year over her treatment.
Tristan Broussard, a young transgender man, was fired from his manager trainee position at Tower Loan, a Mississippi-based finance company with 180 locations nationwide, for not agreeing to dress and be treated as a woman. The Southern Poverty Law Center and allies filed a federal discrimination lawsuit alleging Tower Loans violated Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights by firing plaintiff Tristan Broussard. Title VII prohibits against employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.
Tristan Broussard’s employer, a national, Mississippi-based finance company, demanded that he dress and be treated as a woman. The transgender man refused and was fired.
In a court ruling obtained by the SPLC – and cited by the White House – a New Jersey judge ruled it was consumer fraud to misrepresent homosexuality as a disorder while marketing conversion therapy.
The Department of Justice filed a brief in Diamond v. Owens, et al. arguing that the Eighth Amendment mandates individualized assessment and care for gender dysphoria.
The action comes amid a confrontation between the Alabama Supreme Court and the federal judiciary, which has struck down the state’s same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional.
Destin Holmes was constantly bombarded with anti-gay slurs and insults by students and even teachers. Her principal said: “I don’t want a dyke in this school.” Now, the school district has agreed to adopt new policies to protect LGBT students from harassment.
Now, more than ever, we must work together to protect the values that ensure a fair and inclusive future for all.