Story highlights Conversion therapy aims to transform gays and lesbians into heterosexuals

It has been denounced by several leading medical groups, including the American Psychological Association

Washington (CNN) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday announced regulations to prevent "conversion therapy," a practice aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, in the Empire State.

Conversion therapy aims to transform gays and lesbians into heterosexuals. It has been denounced by several leading medical groups, including the American Psychological Association , which says efforts to change sexual orientation through therapy have "serious potential to harm young people because they present the view that the sexual orientation of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth is a mental illness or disorder."

"Conversion therapy is a hateful and fundamentally flawed practice that is counter to everything this state stands for," Cuomo said in a statement. "New York has been at the forefront of acceptance and equality for the LGBT community for decades -- and today we are continuing that legacy and leading by example."

"We will not allow the misguided and the intolerant to punish LGBT young people for simply being who they are," he added.

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