California is taking the proper steps to ban an extremely controversial form of psychotherapy that was developed to help turn gay teens straight. It will be the first state to have successfully banned the program.The "gay therapy" practice said to be rarely used but has been backed by certain religious groups. Some Republicans also argue that banning the the program would interfere with parents' rights to provide psychological care for children as they see fit.
'One of our number one priorities in this house is to protect the next generation of Californians,' Mr Lara Democrat Ricardo Lara said, one of several openly gay legislators to champion the bill during a debate.
CBS News reports:
Effective Jan. 1, the state will prohibit what is known as reparative or conversion therapy for minors. Brown says the therapies "have no basis in science or medicine and they will now be relegated to the dustbin of quackery." Gay rights groups say the practice is dangerous because it can put youth at higher risk of depression and suicide.
How do you feel about "gay therapy"?