UPDATE: This article has been updated to include new legal developments and recent statistics regarding conversion therapy bans.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined forces with 20 other state attorneys general in a significant legal effort to protect LGBTQ+ youth from conversion therapy practices. The coalition filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to uphold Michigan's ban on conversion therapy for minors, marking another front in the ongoing national battle over LGBTQ+ rights and youth protection.
The Michigan Case at the Center of National Attention
The legal action centers on Catholic Charities v. Whitmer, a federal lawsuit challenging Michigan's 2023 ban on conversion therapy for minors. According to the New York Attorney General's office, the coalition argues that conversion therapy "is proven to be both dangerous and ineffective" and "increases risks of suicide and depression, especially among transgender youth."
The Michigan legislation, known as House Bills 4616 and 4617, prohibits licensed mental health professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with minors. According to Michigan Advance, violations can result in disciplinary action, licensing sanctions, and fines up to $250,000.
Key Players in the Legal Challenge
The lawsuit was filed by Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties alongside Emily McJones, a licensed therapist from Lansing who operates Little Flower Counseling. According to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represents the plaintiffs, McJones "integrates evidence-based psychotherapy techniques with her religious beliefs" and argues the ban violates constitutional protections for freedom of speech and religious exercise.
The case gained additional attention when a federal district court denied the plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction in January 2025. As reported by Law360, the plaintiffs immediately appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, where the case now awaits review.
Attorney General James' Leadership on LGBTQ+ Issues
James, who serves as New York's 67th Attorney General, has established herself as a prominent defender of LGBTQ+ rights since taking office in 2019. According to her official biography, she became the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected Attorney General. "No one should ever be subject to the harmful practice of conversion therapy," James stated in the recent press release, emphasizing that "states must stand firm in defending their rights and dignity."
Her involvement in this case represents part of a broader pattern of advocacy. Recent months have seen James lead multiple coalitions addressing LGBTQ+ issues, including challenges to federal restrictions on gender-affirming care and efforts to protect diversity programs in education.
National Trends and Statistics
The Michigan case occurs against a backdrop of significant national activity around conversion therapy legislation. According to Wikipedia's comprehensive tracking, 27 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have instituted bans on conversion therapy, with more than 100 municipalities also enacting local protections.
Despite these bans, conversion therapy remains a persistent issue. A 2023 report by TIME found more than 1,300 active conversion therapy practitioners operating in almost every U.S. state except Hawaii and Vermont. The research, conducted by The Trevor Project, revealed that more than half of these practitioners offer services through religious organizations.
The Trevor Project's 2024 National Survey found that LGBTQ+ young people who experienced conversion therapy had more than twice the rate of suicide attempts compared to those who hadn't undergone such practices. The survey of over 18,000 LGBTQ+ youth also revealed that 90% said their well-being was negatively impacted by recent politics.
Legal Implications and Supreme Court Oversight
The timing of the Michigan case carries particular significance as conversion therapy bans face increasing legal scrutiny. According to Colorado Public Radio, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed in March 2025 to hear a challenge to Colorado's conversion therapy ban in the case Chiles v. Salazar, with a decision expected in 2026.
The Supreme Court case centers on free speech arguments similar to those raised in the Michigan lawsuit. Legal experts suggest the high court's eventual ruling could either strengthen or undermine conversion therapy bans nationwide, making the current coalition efforts particularly crucial for advocates on both sides.
Regional Circuit Court Conflicts
Federal courts have reached conflicting conclusions on conversion therapy bans, creating a patchwork of enforcement. Bloomberg Law reports that while the Ninth Circuit upheld Washington's ban in 2022, the Eleventh Circuit struck down a similar ban in Boca Raton, Florida in 2020, finding it likely unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds.
Recent Similar Cases and Trends
The legal landscape has intensified in recent months with several high-profile challenges emerging. According to GLAAD, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit in February 2025 seeking to reverse conversion therapy bans in Kansas City and Jackson County, drawing sharp criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates who characterized the action as "legalizing child abuse."
Meanwhile, other states have moved to strengthen protections. The Human Rights Campaign praised North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper for issuing an executive order in 2024 prohibiting the use of taxpayer funds for conversion therapy, though advocates noted this fell short of comprehensive legislative protection.
Medical and Scientific Consensus
The attorneys general coalition emphasizes that their position aligns with overwhelming medical consensus. The Human Rights Campaign notes that every major medical and mental health organization in the United States, including the American Psychological Association and American Medical Association, has condemned conversion therapy as ineffective and harmful.
Research consistently demonstrates the practice's connection to increased mental health risks. According to Statista data from The Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ youth who experienced conversion therapy showed significantly higher rates of suicide attempts compared to those who hadn't undergone such treatment.
The coalition argues in their brief that states have long regulated professional standards of care and that prohibiting conversion therapy falls within established authority to protect public health. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, "California is proud to support the State of Michigan in protecting our youth from scientifically discredited practices that put their health, safety, and well-being at risk."
Looking Ahead
As the Sixth Circuit prepares to review the Michigan case, advocates on both sides are watching closely for signals about how courts may approach these increasingly common constitutional challenges. The outcome could influence similar cases across the country and potentially shape the legal arguments presented to the Supreme Court in the Colorado case.
The coalition of attorneys general represents states from across the political spectrum that have enacted conversion therapy bans, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
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