Virginia became the first Southern State to ban conversion therapy by 2020. This program helps children accept the sexual orientation and gender that God has given them.
The legislation restricts the options that kids who need help have. The law prohibits counselors who are licensed from engaging in any “practice” or “treatment” that attempts to change a child’s “sexuality” or “gender identity.”
The state has now reversed its harmful policy.
A Henrico County Circuit court judge ordered on June 24 that licensed counselors could legally provide talk therapy for minors to help them overcome unwanted feelings of gender dysphoria or same-sex attraction.
This change was the result of a suit filed by Founding Freedoms Law Center in September last. This is the legal arm of The Family Foundation. The Virginia Attorney General’s Office accepted the consent order.
Victoria Cobb, the President of Family Foundation told Restoration News: “This is a significant win for counsellors as well as children.”
“Unconstitutional law that prohibits any conversation that is contrary to radical trans orthodoxy, especially conversations that are based on biological reality, violates free speech and robs vulnerable minors the right to explore alternative options that may save them from long-term harm. She also said that Virginia teens and their families now have access to counseling tailored to their beliefs and goals.
The suit was filed by licensed Christian counsellors John Raymond, and Janet Raymond. They have a Front-Office Practice in Front Royal (northern Virginia).
The Raymonds offer counseling on a wide range of issues including sexual addictions, identity problems and other related topics. In their complaints, they claimed that the Raymonds previously provided services for adults and minors but were forced to stop doing so as a precaution.
The couple not only suffered a significant loss in income but also had a chilling effect on their political and religious expression.
Cobb said that this would probably be the intended effect of the legislation, given Democrats’ tendency to silence anyone who disagrees with them.
When the Left ideologically disagrees with each other on certain issues, they tend shut down dialogue. “And that is exactly what happened here,” she said.
VA’s “conversion therapy” ban has been STRIKED BACK!
A lawsuit brought by the Founding Freedoms Law Center to support Christian counselors John & Janet Raymond allowed VA counselors speak freely about sexuality & gender. pic.twitter.com/E6fXFlrbtt
The Family Foundation of Virginia
July 1, 2025
“When alternative agendas are being promoted, the goal is not to suggest that their alternative is best, but rather to silence those who have biblical principles or opinions on a variety of issues.”
According to Movement Advancement Project, 22 states and the District of Columbia have also banned similar practices. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, and South Carolina currently have restrictions on implementation of such laws.
Even though the Virginia law has not been fully revoked by the court, it will no longer apply to the Raymonds and other talk therapy counsellors in the state.
In a press release, The Raymonds said that this was a “major victory” for Virginia counselors. They can now provide compassionate and commonsense talking therapy to minors seeking help with unwanted sexual thoughts or confusion regarding their identity.
We thank God and the Founding Freedoms Law Center for helping us defend our rights to free expression and religion.
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This article originally appeared on Virginia win: Court approves talk therapy for kids confused about gender and sex