Trial Begins in Orthodox ‘Gay Conversion’ Therapy Case

By JTA June 4, 2015

The fraud trial for an Orthodox Jewish group that promotes so-called conversion therapy for homosexuals opened in New Jersey.

In opening statements Wednesday in state Superior Court in Jersey City, an attorney for four former patients accused Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing, or JONAH, of offering “junk science” and lies, The Associated Press reported. Meanwhile, an attorney for JONAH, which is based in Jersey City, said the group’s practices are widely used, with some patients reporting satisfaction with the results.

In 2012, the four plaintiffs, three from Orthodox families in Brooklyn, filed the lawsuit, claiming that JONAH breached state consumer fraud laws and that their treatment had included such practices as stripping naked during therapy sessions and listening to anti-gay slurs.

Gay rights groups are trying to outlaw conversion therapy in more than 12 states, according to AP. The therapy claims to help homosexual men become heterosexual.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO