RELIGION

Jurors set to hear openings in New Jersey 'gay conversion' fraud trial

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Benjamin Unger is sworn in as a witness in the trial against Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing, (JONAH) Wednesday, June 3, 2015, in Jersey City, N.J. The nonprofit New Jersey based group, who promised to turn gays heterosexual with so-called gay conversion therapy, are being sued by Unger and three other plaintiffs for fraud. (Alex Remnick/The Star-Ledger via AP, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Plaintiff Michael Ferguson stands in the courtroom during a trial against Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing, (JONAH) Wednesday, June 3, 2015, in Jersey City, N.J. The nonprofit New Jersey based group that promised to turn gays heterosexual instead offered "junk science" and lies, an attorney for four young men told jurors Wednesday during opening statements in the fraud trial involving so-called gay conversion therapy. (Alex Remnick/The Star-Ledger via AP, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Charles LiMandri delivers the opening statement for the defense in a fraud trial against Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing, (JONAH) Wednesday, June 3, 2015, in Jersey City, N.J. The nonprofit New Jersey based group promised to turn gays heterosexual with so-called gay conversion therapy. (AP Photo/The Star-Ledger, Alex Remnick, Pool) (The Associated Press)

A jury in northern New Jersey is scheduled to hear opening arguments Wednesday in the fraud trial of a nonprofit that offers so-called 'gay conversion' therapy.

Four men and two of their mothers sued Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing, under New Jersey's consumer fraud laws in 2012.

The men contend the organization violated the laws by characterizing homosexuality as a mental disorder and claiming it could successfully change patients' sexual orientation.

They say they underwent treatment that included being told to spend more time naked with their fathers and participating in role-playing in which they were subjected to anti-gay slurs in a locker room setting.

The nonprofit contends there's still debate over whether human sexual orientation is changeable and that it isn't an issue for courts to decide.