Illinois Law Banning Conversion Therapy Against LGBT Youth First to Contain 'Consumer Fraud' Provision

In response to Illinois passing a law to ban conversion therapy, the following statement can be attributed to Sam Wolfe, Southern Poverty Law Center staff attorney, who testified in favor of this legislation.

August 21, 2015 - "Illinois did the right thing by passing a law to protect LGBT youth from the harmful and fraudulent practice of conversion therapy. What's new and progressive about Illinois' law banning this 'therapy' is that it's the first to include a provision that says advertising this practice amounts to consumer fraud.

"It is exciting to see the SPLC's landmark consumer fraud case against a provider of conversion therapy so quickly have an influence on lawmakers. With federal legislation to ban conversion therapy pending, we hope – and expect – to see the drumbeat continue against this unconscionable practice. "

In a victory by the SPLC in June, a jury found that a New Jersey conversion therapy provider violated the state's consumer fraud law by offering the services. Read more here.


The Southern Poverty Law Center, based in Alabama with offices in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, is a nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry, and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. For more information, see www.splcenter.org.

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