Pastors Sue Illinois For Banning Gay ‘Conversion Therapy’

A group of Illinois pastors are suing the state over a law prohibiting so-called gay conversion therapy. The group claims the ban violates their religious freedoms and freedom of speech.

The plaintiffs argue in their federal lawsuit that the law, which took effect January 1, wrongfully includes members of clergy. They further claim that being gay is “contrary to God’s purpose” and “can be resisted or overcome by those who seek to be faithful to God and His Word,” notes the Chicago Tribune.

Illinois joins California, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont in banning conversion therapy. The laws in other states have withstood legal challenges, however, the pastors filing against the Illinois law say that this is the only one which bars clergy from the practice.

“The law in Illinois is broader than the other laws, which were aimed at licensed counselors,” John Mauck, an attorney for the pastors said.

“We want to make sure that young people [minors] in particular have access to pastoral and Biblical-based counsel if they want it, and that pastors are able to provide Bible-based counseling without any fear of legal repercussions,” Steven Stultz, a Chicago pastor represented in the lawsuit, said. “I think we’ve been able to do it in such a way that doesn’t bring condemnation, doesn’t bring pressure.”

Rep. Kelly Cassidy, a Democratic state legislator who sponsored the bill, recounts stories from those who have experienced gay conversion therapy.

“This is torture, this is abuse,” she said. “We can’t sanction that.”

“The law protects patients from harmful, coercive, and fraudulent treatments that attempt to change the unchangeable,” Brian Johnson, chief executive of Equality Illinois, told the Washington Post. “Faith leaders remain free to say what they want from the pulpit, regardless of how misguided it may be, and the law and the state and federal Constitutions protect that right. That was not changed by this law.”

Sources: Chicago Tribune, Washington Post / Photo Credit: Saint John Cantius Church / Instagram