Liberty Counsel filed an amended complaint to the Southern District Court of Florida to request a permanent injunction, damages, attorney fees and costs in Otto, et al v. City of Boca Raton, FL et al, regarding the ordinances enacted by the City of Boca Raton and Palm Beach County which prohibited licensed counselors from providing counsel to minors who desperately desire to conform their attractions, behaviors, and gender identities to their sincerely held religious beliefs.
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Liberty Counsel’s clients, Dr. Robert Otto, LMFT and Dr. Julie Hamilton, LMFT and their minor clients, who challenged the constitutionality of ordinances enacted by the City of Boca Raton and Palm Beach County. As a result, now counselors in Florida, Georgia and Alabama are free to help their minor clients.
The Eleventh Circuit also previously denied a request from the county and city for a full court review of a decision by a three-judge panel that previously struck down laws in 2020 that ban counselors from providing minor clients and their families from receiving any counsel to reduce or overcome unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or gender confusion.
The district court issued the preliminary injunction at the order of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. A permanent injunction is now needed to prevent the city and county from enacting any future ordinances.
Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “Licensed therapists in the City of Boca Raton and Palm Beach County have waited years to help their clients. Now a permanent injunction is needed to ensure they remain free from political censorship in their counseling rooms and their clients have the freedom to choose the counsel of their choice.”
