While Gov. Chris Christie expressed concern about “government limiting parental choice on the care and treatment of their own children,” he ultimately decided that the risk of kids growing up with suicidal thoughts, depression, and substance abuse problems was paramount to the right of parents to seek the treatment. But the denial of that right is exactly what the parents of one unnamed teen, who the court documents call “Joe Doe,” are challenging.

A New Jersey couple is challenging a measure signed into law this past August that prevents licensed therapists from performing gay conversion therapy in the state because they believe their 15-year-old son is gay and needs the controversial treatment.

“[The unnamed teen] has a sincerely held religious belief and conviction that homosexuality is wrong and immoral, and he wanted to address that value conflict because his unwanted same-sex attractions and gender confusion are contrary to the fundamental religious values that he holds,” the lawsuit claims.

Gay conversion therapy, or “reparative therapy,” is a practice that attempts to “convert” people who are sexually attracted to the same sex into heterosexuals. The method has been widely regarded by gay rights activists, psychologists, and patients who have undergone conversion therapy as ineffective and, in some cases, harmful. A 2007 report from the American Psychological Association found that the “results of scientifically valid research indicate that it is unlikely that individuals will be able to reduce same-sex attractions or increase other-sex sexual attractions through [sexual orientation change efforts.”

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