California bill would outlaw reparative therapy for homosexuality for minors
CWN - April 30, 2012
A California state senator--Sen. Ted Lieu, a Catholic--has introduced a bill that would prohibit psychologists from offering minors reparative therapy for homosexuality.
"Under no circumstances shall a patient under 18 years of age undergo sexual orientation change efforts, regardless of the willingness of a patient's parent, guardian, conservator, or other person to authorize such efforts," the bill's text reads.
The bill would also compel adults who choose to undergo such therapy to sign a consent form stating that "having a lesbian, gay, or bisexual sexual orientation is not a mental disorder. There is no scientific evidence that any types of therapies are effective in changing a person's sexual orientation. Sexual orientation change efforts can be harmful. The risks include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behavior."
Stating that the bill "inaccurately represents the science," the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality called upon legislators to reject the measure.
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