California bans a cure for gayism ?

GOVERNOR Jerry Brown has signed legislation that makes California the first state to ban a controversial form of psychotherapy that's aimed at making gay teenagers straight. 

Effective January 1, mental health practitioners are prohibited from performing sexual orientation change efforts - known as reparative or conversion therapy - for anyone under 18.

The therapies "have no basis in science or medicine and they will now be relegated to the dustbin of quackery," Mr Brown said in a statement.



But some organisations and ministries continue to use counselling and prayer to try to help conflicted Christians rid themselves of unwanted homosexual inclinations. Gay rights activists have said the damage they inflict on individuals can be deep and lasting and can put youth at higher risk of depression and suicide.


Conservative religious groups and some Republicans have argued that banning conversion therapy would hinder parents' right to provide psychological care for children experiencing gender confusion.

The Encino, California-based National Association for Research and Therapy on Homosexuality said in August that the bill was a case of "legislative overreach." They said Democratic state Senator Ted Lieu's claims of harm to children were based on politics, not research.

Mr Lieu, who sponsored the bill, said the law will stop children from being psychologically abused.



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