The Supreme Court this week declined to hear a case challenging California's ban on "therapies" meant to turn lesbian, gay and bisexual youth straight, clearing the way for the state to enforce the law. Amid losses for women's health care coverage in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, which could have unexpected ramifications for LGBT Americans, it's one small victory gay rights advocates can take away from the court's choices this term.

New Jersey is the only other state with a ban in place on gay conversion therapy. Other states have introduced bills banning the practice, but none have passed yet.

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California state Sen. Ted Lieu (D), the California law's sponsor, said of the court's decision on Monday, "The Supreme Court has cemented shut any possible opening to allow further psychological child abuse in California. The Court’s refusal to accept the appeal of extreme ideological therapists who practice the quackery of gay conversion therapy is a victory for child welfare, science and basic humane principles."

Lieu also voiced his support on Twitter: SUBSCRIBE AND FOLLOW Get the top stories emailed every day. Newsletters may offer personalized content or advertisements. Privacy Policy Newsletter Please enter a valid email address Thank you for signing up! You should receive an email to confirm your subscription shortly. There was a problem processing your signup; please try again later Twitter

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Very pleased SCOTUS denied appeal challenging first-in-nation law I authored to ban gay conversion therapy. #SB1172http://t.co/mbKsbhASbT — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) June 30, 2014

Lieu's bill, which banned licensed therapists from engaging in efforts to change the sexual orientation of minors, was signed in 2012 by California Gov. Jerry Brown (D). The law applies only to professionals licensed by the state, and does not ban religious groups from attempting to change someone's sexual orientation.

A pair of lawsuits brought by anti-gay groups and self-proclaimed ex-gays challenged the ban, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that the law was constitutional. In its ruling, the court cited a lack of evidence that reparative "therapies" work, and the fact that they have been disavowed by most majormedical groups.

The 9th Circuit held that a ban on a certain type of counseling is not an unconstitutional restriction of freedom of speech, as the plaintiffs claimed, and that the state had a right to ban certain types of medical treatment for minors even if parents sought the treatment for their children.

The Supreme Court's decision not to hear the case means that California's ban, which had been on hold, can now be implemented. New Jersey's ban was similarly challenged and upheld by a federal court. An appeals court will hear arguments this July against the New Jersey law.

One online survey of 417 people who had undergone an attempt to change their sexual orientation found that for many, the treatments began at a young age and left lasting scars. More than 90 percent of the survey respondents said they experienced at least some harm from the attempts, and 16 percent said it "devastated their lives." Those who have been through ex-gay counseling tell of disturbing treatments and of self-hatred they felt was caused by the experience.