Court puts hold on gay conversion law COURTS

California's ban on therapy that seeks to turn gay minors straight, the first such law in the nation, has been put on hold.

A three-judge panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order Friday that the law signed in September by Gov. Jerry Brown will not be allowed to go into effect before a hearing on whether it is legal.

The injunction was in response to a motion filed by opponents of the law, who charge that it is a violation of the First Amendment.

The law would prohibit licensed therapists and counselors from engaging in what is called reparative therapy with anyone under age 18. Such therapy is described by supporters as a way to "cure" homosexuality, but gay-rights advocates as well as psychologists and family therapist groups have said the practice can have harmful effects on its subjects.

Under the law, SB1172, any licensed California counselor engaged in such therapy with minors could be disciplined by state licensing boards.

An appeal was filed in October on behalf of several families by Liberty Counsel, which describes itself as "dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life and the family." Friday, the organization's chairman welcomed the injunction.

"Our clients are thrilled that this law has been blocked," said Mathew Staver, who also is Liberty Counsel's chief lawyer. "It was an overreach by the legislation into the realm of private therapy."

There was a much different response from the office of state Attorney General Kamala Harris. "California was correct to outlaw this unsound and harmful practice, and the attorney general will vigorously defend this law," said Lynda Gledhill, Harris' press secretary.

The three-judge panel gave no reason for its decision Friday stating only that "appellants' emergency motion for an injunction pending appeal is granted" and that the already-established schedule for the appeal would remain in place.

Under that schedule, the two sides have until mid-February to file written briefs on the case. A different panel of judges will determine whether the law passes constitutional muster.