Gay Conversion Group Guilty of Fraud

A gay-to-straight conversion therapy group has been found guilty of consumer fraud in New Jersey court. The non-profit group Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH) and life coach Alan Downing “engaged in unconscionable commercial practices” and misrepresented their services, a jury ruled. The company and Downing must refund thousands of dollars paid by former clients. This is the first ruling in the U.S. on the validity of the controversial practice. “This is a momentous event in the history of the LGBT rights movement,” said David Dinielli, deputy director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, which filed the case. “The jury agreed not only is this based on lies, but it is an unconscionable business practice.”