Miyares’ office greenlights agreement preventing state from enforcing parts of VA’s ban on conversion therapy

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is siding with two Virginia counselors.

Miyares’ office agreed to what’s called a consent decree to settle a lawsuit filed by John and Janet Raymond -- two counselors who said Virginia’s ban on conversion therapy for minors violated their free speech and religious rights.

The decree will prevent the state from disciplining counselors who engage in conversation “talk therapy” with LGBTQ youth. 

“For five years, a muzzle has been placed over the mouths of every licensed counselor in the State of Virginia,” said Victoria Cobb, President of The Family Foundation. 

The decree defines talk therapy as “voluntary conversations, prayer, and sharing of written materials such as scripture between an individual counselor and an individual client.” 

“Every counselor in Virginia will now be able to speak freely, truthfully, and candidly with clients who are seeking to have those critical conversations about their identity and to hear faith-based insights from trusted professionals,” said Josh Hetzler, Legal Counsel for the Founding Freedoms Law Center, who represented the Raymonds. 

Democrats like Senator Danica Roem, the nation’s first openly transgender state lawmaker, say conversion therapy is ineffective. 

“I am just as trans today at age 40 as I was when I got into catholic school in Fourth Grade in 1993,” Roem told 8News. 

Plus, Senator Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), who wrote the original law in 2020, says he authored it to protect public safety because many medical organizations say conversion therapy is also dangerous. 

“All the professional psychiatric organizations have all condemned conversion therapy. They say it doesn’t work. They say it’s counterproductive. There are numerous examples of conversion therapy leading to people killing themselves as opposed to curing them,” Surovell said.

The decree only applies to talk therapy. Any counselor who engages in any other type of conversion therapy can still be disciplined by the state. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for Attorney General Jason Miyares sent 8News the following statement.

This court action fixes a constitutional problem with the existing law by allowing talk therapy between willing counselors and willing patients, including those struggling with gender dysphoria. Talk therapy with voluntary participants was punishable before this judgment was entered.  This result—which merely permits talk therapy within the standards of care while preserving the remainder of the law—respects the religious liberty and free speech rights of both counselors and patients.

We are satisfied with the outcome and look forward to continuing to protect religious freedom and free speech.  OAG Spokesperson Shaun Kenney