The Illinois church leaders from Pastors Protecting Youth says clergy should be exempt from a clause in the Youth Mental Health Protection Act (2016) which prohibits anyone offering conversion therapy in a why that represents homosexuality "as a mental disease, disorder, or illness."
Pastor Steven Stultz of Nu-Church Apostolic Ministries of East Garfield said: "In 1 Corinthians 6:9, the Apostle Paul writes to those who had overcome many sins including homosexuality, stating, 'such were some of you' but you were changed through God's healing.
"I have personally witnessed many people change their sexual orientation through counseling and know it is possible.
"The government is interfering into someone's private decisions. This ban on counseling creates fear in the people most in need of comfort and support."
The government has no right preventing people from seeking help through pastoral counseling https://t.co/QcArXmFfmM
— Mauck & Baker Law (@MauckBaker) August 12, 2016
The pastors argue the current law breaks their constitutional right to free speech and freedom to exercise their faith.
Their lawyer, John W Mauck from Mauck & Baker, LLC (a firm which represents churches and Christian groups), said: "We are most concerned about young people who are seeking the right to choose their own identity. This is an essential human right.
"However, this law undermines the dignity and integrity of those who choose a different path for their lives than politicians and activists prefer.
"Each person should be free to receive Biblical and spiritual counseling from the pastor of their choice to help them orient their sexuality."
The Illinois Attorney General's office is going to handle the lawsuit on behalf of the state but a spokeswoman said the office could not yet comment on the case, the Associated Press has reported.
US President Barack Obama has expressed his support for banning same-sex attraction conversion therapy, a move which has already been enshrined in law by five states.
Picture: Illustration only