Michigan Agrees to Stop Enforcing LGBTQ+ Conversion Therapy Ban

The government of Michigan agreed in July 2026 to stop enforcing its state ban on conversion talk therapy for LGBTQ+ minors. This decision follows a permanent injunction issued by a U.S. District Court judge in Grand Rapids, concluding a legal battle that began in 2024.

Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties filed the original lawsuit, arguing that the ban violated the First Amendment rights of practitioners. The settlement aligns with a March 2026 ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States, which found a similar ban in Colorado unconstitutional based on free speech protections.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who signed the ban into law in July 2023, expressed disappointment and described the court order as a step back for the LGBTQ+ community. Conversely, attorney Luke Goodrich characterized the agreement as a major victory for children, counselors, and common sense.