US: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to sign bill banning gay ‘cure’ therapy for minors
New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie is today expected to sign into law a ban on therapist attempting to turn teenagers straight. New Jersey will be the second state to enact such a law after California.
The bill received bipartisan support back in June when it passed the New Jersey legislature and Governor Christie has signalled that he will sign the bill into law today.
He cited a comprehensive list of the groups that have rejected gay conversion therapy for being dangerous and having an ill effect on children. He went onto say, “I believe that exposing children to these health risks without clear evidence of benefits that outweigh these serious risks is not appropriate”
Governor Christie has a mixed record on LGBT rights, he was critical of Supreme Court to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act calling it “wrong.” However he has stated that he does not believe homosexuality to be a choice and has cited that as a reason for supporting a ban on conversion therapy.
Some Republicans have opposed the ban on the therapy claiming that it would take away parents choice on how to raise their children.
Gay conversion therapy has been widely debunked with the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association both condemning the practice.
