Calif Bill Would Ban Gay Teen Conversion Therapy---California Bill Would Ban Conversion Therapy to Make Gay Teens: California may become the first state to ban “conversion” therapy for gay and lesbian teens if a bill, spearheaded by Democratic State Sen.
Ted Lieu, passes on the senate floor. The bill passed its final committee vote Tuesday. The bill would make it illegal for psychologists in the state of California to provide gay and lesbian conversion or reorientation therapy to teens.
The controversial conversion therapy, sometimes also known as reparative therapy, attempts to change the sexual orientation of a person from homosexual (or bisexual) to heterosexual. The bill would also require adults who submit to the therapy to sign a release saying they know what they’re getting into.
“This therapy can be dangerous,” Lieu said. He and supporters of the bill said conversion counseling is ineffective, can cause severe depression and guilt, and can even lead to suicide.
The American Psychological Association defines the type of therapy as based upon “the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the a priori assumption that a patient should change his/her sexual homosexual orientation.”
The California bill quotes a 2009 APA report that defines conversion therapy as “unlikely to be successful and involves some risk of harm.” The APA did not take a position on the California bill.
Ted Lieu, passes on the senate floor. The bill passed its final committee vote Tuesday. The bill would make it illegal for psychologists in the state of California to provide gay and lesbian conversion or reorientation therapy to teens.
The controversial conversion therapy, sometimes also known as reparative therapy, attempts to change the sexual orientation of a person from homosexual (or bisexual) to heterosexual. The bill would also require adults who submit to the therapy to sign a release saying they know what they’re getting into.
“This therapy can be dangerous,” Lieu said. He and supporters of the bill said conversion counseling is ineffective, can cause severe depression and guilt, and can even lead to suicide.
The American Psychological Association defines the type of therapy as based upon “the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the a priori assumption that a patient should change his/her sexual homosexual orientation.”
The California bill quotes a 2009 APA report that defines conversion therapy as “unlikely to be successful and involves some risk of harm.” The APA did not take a position on the California bill.
