NJ Judge Rules Gay Conversion Therapy Claims are Fraud

A New Jersey-based gay conversion therapy provider was found in violation of the state's consumer protection law for claiming that homosexuality is a disease in their marketing materials, NBC News reports.

"It is a misrepresentation in violation of the CFA (Consumer Fraud Act), in advertising or selling conversion therapy services to describe homosexuality, not as being a normal variation of human sexuality, but as being a mental illness, disease, disorder, or equivalent," wrote Judge Peter F. Barsio Jr in his ruling.

Barsio's decision was part of a consumer fraud lawsuit filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on behalf of ex-clients and two parents of ex-clients against Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH). The lawsuit alleged that the group used deceptive practices to lure clients to pay sometimes over $10,000 a year for therapy purported to convert people from gay to straight.

"For the first time, a court has ruled that it is fraudulent as a matter of law for conversion therapists to tell clients that they have a mental disorder that can be cured," David Dinielli, a SPLC deputy legal director, said in a statement.

Tuesday's ruling isn't the first time that JONAH has found itself on the losing end of a decision made by Judge Barsio. ' target='_blank'>In 2014 EDGE reported Barsio ruled that JONAH could be financially liable for financial damages three times the amounts that four former clients paid for psychological counseling to repair the damage caused by JONAH's conversion therapy program.

According to the SPLC, customers of JONAH's services typically paid a minimum of $100 for weekly individual counseling sessions and another $60 for group therapy sessions. The lawsuit describes sessions that involved clients undressing in front of a mirror and even a group session where young men were instructed to remove their clothing and stand naked in a circle with the counselor, Downing, who was also undressed. Another session involved a subject attempting to wrestle away two oranges -- used to represent testicles -- from another individual.

Reparative or conversion therapy for minors has been banned in the Garden State since August 2013 when Republican Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill forbidding the practice.

The practice of conversion therapy has been condemned by the American Psychiatric Association.