News
Court upholds N.J. ban on ‘ex-gay’ therapy
Judge says law signed by Christie doesn’t violate freedom of religion
A law signed by Gov. Chris Christie upholding a ban on ex-gay therapy in the state was upheld as constitutional (Photo by Bob Jagendorf via Wikimedia Commons).
A federal court in New Jersey ruled on Friday the recently signed law barring “ex-gay” sexual orientation conversion therapy for minors in the state is constitutional.
U.S. District Judge Freda Wolfson, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, upheld the law signed by Gov. Chris Christie in August on the basis that the law restricts neither speech nor religious freedom.
In the 66-page decision, Wolfson writes the arguments presented by plaintiffs are “counter to the longstanding principle that a state generally may enact laws rationally regulating professionals, including those providing medicine and mental health services.”
Additionally, the judge granted a request by Garden State Equality, a statewide LGBT group in New Jersey, to intervene in the case to defend the law.
Wolfson issued the ruling in response to a lawsuit filed by the Liberty Counsel on behalf of practitioners in New Jersey who practice “ex-gay” therapy, which is widely discredited by mainstream psychological groups, and fringe psychological groups that have endorsed it.
LGBT advocates who worked to pass the law hailed the decision as an affirmation the law protects LGBT youth in New Jersey.
Troy Stevenson, executive cirector of Garden State Equality, called the ruling “a huge victory for New Jersey youth.”
“This law will save lives by protecting young people them from these horrible and damaging practices,” Stevenson said.
Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, represented Garden State Equality in the lawsuit and praised the decision.
“This law protects youth from practices that have been rejected by all leading medical and mental health professional organizations,” Minter said. “The court issued a clear and thorough decision explaining that state-licensed therapists do not have a constitutional right to engage in discredited practices that do not improve patients’ health and put young people at risk of severe harm, including depression and suicide.”
The ruling comes in the wake of a second lawsuit that was filed against the law by an unidentified New Jersey couple who argue the law prevents them from seeking treatment for their 15-year-old son.
In August, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a similar a law in California barring “ex-gay” conversion therapy for minors signed by Gov. Jerry Brown (D-Calif.). A similar bill that would ban the practice in D.C. has been introduced by Council member Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3).
Mat Staver, chair of the Liberty Counsel, told the Washington Blade via email on Monday that his organization “has already” filed an appeal of the decision.
“Since this is an unprecedented intrusion on counselors and clients and restricts what they can say or hear, we believe this law will be overturned on appeal,” Staver said. “If necessary we will take this case to the U.S. Supreme Court.”
CORRECTION: An initial version of this article misspelled the names of Judge Freda Wolfson and Troy Stevenson. The Blade regrets the error. The article has also been updated to include to quote from Mat Staver.
Maryland
‘Girlfriends’ wanted for murder in Silver Spring, Md.
Montgomery County police say two charged with killing mother of one of them
The Montgomery County, Md., Department of Police announced on June 4 that it is seeking the public’s help in locating two women, who they identify as a couple, who are charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing the mother of one of them.
In a statement police identified the two women as Vanessa Tjongarero-Henderson of Clarksburg, Md., and her girlfriend Samantha Raebel of Phoenix, Ariz. The statement says the two are charged with the murder of Hilde Henderson, 67, the mother of Vanessa.
According to the statement, officers with the department’s 3rd District found Hilde Henderson deceased on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at her home at the Charter House apartments in the 1300 block of Fenwick Lane in Silver Spring after being called to check on the resident’s welfare.
“Henderson was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where an autopsy was conducted,” the statement says. “The cause of death was ruled a homicide.”
It adds, “Through the course of the investigation, detectives identified Henderson’s daughter, Vanessa Tjongarero-Henderson and Vanessa’s girlfriend, Raeble, as the suspects.” It says detectives obtained an arrest warrant against the two women, charging both with first-degree murder.
“Anyone with information regarding the location of these suspects or this crime is asked to call 911 or to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, Md. website at crimesolversmcmd.org,” the statement says, or to call the tip line at 1-866-411-8477.
“Tips with information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward from $250 up to $10,000,” it says, adding that tips may remain anonymous.
A spokesperson for Montgomery County police didn’t immediately respond to a request from the Washington Blade for information not disclosed in the police statement, including the physical-medical cause of death for Hilde Henderson and whether detectives have determined a motive for the murder.
National
Madonna turns Times Square into massive dance floor
Pop icon celebrates Pride month with surprise performance
Pop icon Madonna celebrated Pride month with a pop-up performance in New York City’s Times Square on Thursday to the delight of 50,000 fans.
She performed for about 15 minutes high above street level, including several songs from her new album “Confessions II” due on July 3, along with a trio of songs from the first “Confessions on a Dance Floor.”
In addition to the brand new “Love Sensation,” she performed “I Feel So Free” and “Bring Your Love,” plus “Hung Up,” “Get Together” and “I Love New York.” She wished the crowd a happy Pride season; the event was shared with audiences through Grindr’s first-ever livestream.
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Emma LaPointe as its summer intern.
Emma is studying journalism, political science, and German studies at the University of Arizona. She is from Tucson, Ariz., and is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am super excited to spend my summer with the Washington Blade and to learn more about D.C.,” said Emma. “I have loved reporting on the LGBTQ+ community back in Tucson, and I am excited to continue the work here.”
Emma’s internship will end on July 31.
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