New Jersey Bans Gay Conversion Therapy For Minors

Recent findings that say the practice is harmful to youth convinced Governor Christie to sign the bill into law.

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According to CNN, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will sign legislation today that will make his state the second in the country to ban gay conversion therapy on minors. California enacted a similar law earlier this year.

Christie has been leery to make a decision about the bill since it was passed by the Senate in June, citing his concern about the “government limiting parental choice on the care and treatment of their own children.” But recent findings that say conversion therapy poses harm to minors convinced him to sign the bill into law. In a released statement he said:

The American Psychological Association has found that efforts to change sexual orientations can pose critical health risks including, but not limited to, depression, substance abuse, social withdrawal, decreased self-esteem and suicidal thoughts. I believe that exposing children to these health risks without clear evidence of benefits that outweigh these serious risks is not appropriate.

Now if we can just find some statistics that say opposing gay marriage is also bad for your health …

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