48 States Allow Gay Conversion "Therapy" For Minors

48 States Allow Gay Conversion "Therapy" For Minors Most medical professionals and organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association, agree that conversion or reparative "therapy," or the practice of trying to change sexual orientation, is ineffective and harmful. However, only two states ban state-licensed therapists from attempting to "cure" minors of their orientation, even though the practice has proven harmful to those who have undergone it, and lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are already at an increased risk for depression and suicide. Reparative therapy bans for minors legislation by state, as of July 1, 2014 CALIFORNIA NEW JERSEY The first state reparative therapy ban for minors was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on September 19, 2012. It was held constitutional by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on August 29, 2013. The Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the ban on June 30, 2014, clearing the way for enforcement. Governor Chris Christie signed a law on August 19, 2013 banning reparative therapy for minors. The ban was held constitutional by Law against reparative therapy for minors Legislation introduced Legislation introduced but failed the United States District Court for the District of No legislation O Law challenged, but upheld New Jersey on November 8, 2013. D.C. Source: National Center for Lesbian Rights THE HUFFINGTON POST