Gay conversion therapy a fraud, New Jersey judge rules

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- A judge in New Jersey has ruled that claims of gay conversion therapy that describe homosexuality as a curable mental disorder are fraud.

Hudson County Superior Court Judge Peter Bariso Jr. ruled Tuesday against the Jersey City-based Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing. He said JONAH's claims are illegal based on the state's Consumer Fraud Act.

JONAH has been sued by four men and two of their mothers, alleging their methods don't work.

Bariso also ruled last week that JONAH could not call proponents who planned to offer testimony that homosexuality is an illness.

Republican Gov. Chris Christie signed a ban preventing licensed therapists from performing gay conversion therapy for patients under 18 in 2013. Two associations and therapists have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their appeal.

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