California Bans 'Gay Cure' for Kids

California has banned the "gay cure" from being used on anybody under 18. The controversial cure is exactly what it sounds like. Gay teens are often subjected to therapy designed to change their sexual orientation to one that is socially acceptable.

Gov. Jerry Brown made the announcement on Sunday, revealing the law would go into effect on January 1. Licensed therapists will not be allowed to try any kind of "sexual orientation change efforts." While this is great news for the teens in California, it is remarkable this is the first state to enact such a law. Teens elsewhere will still be subjected to these asinine therapy sessions if their parents deem it necessary.

Equality California board president, Clarissa Filgioun, is obviously thrilled with the recent Senate Bill and released a statement.

"Governor Brown today reaffirmed what medical and mental health organizations have made clear: Efforts to change minors' sexual orientation are not therapy, they are the relics of prejudice and abuse that have inflicted untold harm on young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Californians."

Kate Kendall of the National Center for Lesbian Rights expresses her thanks to Governor Brown as well, "This law will ensure that state-licensed therapists can no longer abuse their power to harm LGBT youth and propagate the dangerous and deadly lie that sexual orientation is an illness or disorder that can be 'cured.'"

Proponents of the controversial therapy, which is often referred to as conversion therapy, state the "quackery" has resulted in "irreparable psychological and emotional harm to patients." On the other side of the coin, another group, National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, says there is no scientific proof the therapy causes any damage.

What kind of scientific proof does it take to prove kids are emotionally shattered after being told they are sick? The wonderful folks at NARTH are actually going to try to get an injunction against the law. Sadly, this "gay cure" therapy will still be shoved down the throats of impressionable teens, but it will be done in back alley type settings.

Comments: 15

Truth Always Oct 1, 2012, 10:46am UTC

I dont like using anyone as a guinea pig and dont think it should be up to the parents to decide what sexual preference their child should be... BUT having said this, I know gays that have never had such therapy and many of them are still not happy.. Mixed up emotionally.

Hyper Intellect Oct 1, 2012, 1:38pm UTC

If Mixed up emotionally more than straights, it could be by:

Strain of dubious societal (& often parental) sexpectations.
Other causes.
Very common mis-perception by being viewed through socially conservative lenses.

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Scott H. Oct 1, 2012, 1:38pm UTC

Why is it almost always the State of California which is the first to take the lead in demanding protection of people's rights under the U.S. Constitution.

There must be no question that such a step, is a step in the right direction for Californias' pre adult individuals and who they are and not who others would have them be.

My congratulations to the California State Legislature, The Governor and the citizens of the State of California. Please keep moving our country out of the dark ages and into the 21st century.

Hyper Intellect Oct 1, 2012, 1:48pm UTC

In large part due to recent Democratic Governor Gray Davis. And former & current Democratic Governor Jerry Brown.

In fact: Governor Brown recently signed a bill mandating education of positive LGBT contributions to society, or similar wording.

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Becky Paulsen Oct 1, 2012, 2:35pm UTC

Great article, Mia! My son was subjected to a lesser form of this type of abuse in which the therapist treated him as if there was something wrong with him. She didn't say anything outwardly, but as soon as he tried to discuss his emerging feelings with her {he was 15 at the time} she was aloof, dismissive, & ultimately told him he needed to resolve other issues with an alternate therapist before she would treat him. I was STUNNED!! I can't really help him with the subject, & I have to rely on professionals to be sensitive, compassionate, & to work with him to get to a place of confidence, & maturity, especially when it comes to his feelings about this subject.

Thank God we found the right therapist who not only helped him, but me as well. I know it sounds selfish considering all that he's experiencing, but my biggest fear is the prejudice & hatred he'll be exposed to throughout his life. No parent wants their child to be a target. I know he sometimes misinterprets my fears as somehow being ashamed, or uncertain that his feelings are genuine, it breaks my heart. I've often acted as a surrogate mother for many of my children's friends. Every child needs a responsible adult other than a parent that they can rely on for mature, rational advice, even more so in his case. I can't understand why any parent would intentionally turn their children over to hate mongers, or even someone unintentionally misguided.

Anyway, that's my two...or three...cents. Thanks for your post, it gives me hope :-).

Mia Meadows Oct 1, 2012, 2:47pm UTC

Kudos to you for doing what you can to help your son and his friends. That is all a parent really can do. Nobody wants their child to suffer, which is why we go to such great lengths to buy them the right clothes, get them all the latest gadgets and so on.

I fully believe it is a narrow-minded society that hurts these children, not parents who are just trying to do their best.

Becky Paulsen Oct 1, 2012, 2:57pm UTC

LMAO!! My kids know better than to expect me to shell out good money on designer {pardon me} crap, & the latest gadgets. In fact, I've instilled a deep hatred for those things in each one of them...except for video games {sigh}.

I don't know how much help I've been to their friends. A few parents are a bit upset with me because I won't tell them what their kids said, but I don't see the point in trying to help if they think I'm going to rat them out, LOL.

Thanks for the kudos, though!

Scott H. Oct 1, 2012, 4:35pm UTC

Becky

my biggest fear is the prejudice & hatred he'll be exposed to throughout his life.

Exactly, so why would anyone who is not born a homsexual wish to subject themselves to such personal discrimination, hate and possible harm by choosing to be a homosexual, answer, no one in their right mind would.

Those who are homosexual did not choose to be such, they were born as homosexuals, the same way others were born as heterosexuals. No amount of therapy nor intervention by well wishers is ever going to change the sexuality of which a person is born. Each person in the world is an individual humanbeing, distainctly different from all others and no one should attempt, nor has the right to change nor to disparage that which we are.

Those among us who are homosexual (GLBT) are constantly at the mercy of the thugs and gay bashers, people who would wish to do them mental and physical harm. They are also belittled, disparaged and harrassed by the so called, Christian community, whos' leaders would have everyone believe that those who are either GLBT, are not born as homosexuals, but choose to be so. What a total fallacy, misunderstanding and disrespect for the human race they seem to hold and preach as being truth.

Best wishes to your son and you, you are both brave individuals and deserve to be treated with the same respect as all other Americans.

Becky Paulsen Oct 1, 2012, 5:44pm UTC

That was beautifully put, Scott, thank you :-). If I'm being 100% honest I have to say that my own upbringing in the Baptist church {both grandfathers & my father were ministers} engrained in me certain beliefs that are extremely hard to shake. No matter how much I tell myself it's ridiculous, there will always be that little voice instilled so deeply.

I would never, ever, ever defend so-called ignorant, intolerant, hateful "Christians" who have no desire to be otherwise, but the ones who struggle so hard to do & be right, you might cut them ever so much slack for their ignorance if you can find it in your heart :-).

Bless you Scott, you've made me feel much better, & less afraid for my son.

Hyper Intellect Oct 1, 2012, 7:22pm UTC

I can never remember not being on my guard about my sexual orientation. Always varying measures of guarded concern or fear of physical attack, verbal disapproval, job discrimination, secret animosity, & sneak attack.

This is still reinforced today when I read anonymous message boards that vary from disdain to violent hatred. I translate those comments to whatever physical surrounding I happen to be in:

Maybe one or two of those anonymous hateful posters are sitting right there in front of me, but they are not telling me how they really feel?

Straights do not have this concern.

Renee Nal Oct 1, 2012, 7:31pm UTC

Hyper, that is heart-breaking. I cannot imagine what you have been through - and I mean that sincerely.

I agree with Scott ;) Who would choose it? What you like is what you like. I have a friend who still hasn't come out to his parents. I can't imagine what he goes through - not being himself. My other friend was open with his parents, who did not bat an eye - they accept him for the incredible person he is.

I am frankly shocked that such "therapy" even still exists. I wonder where in California it was "practiced"? Was it prevalent? How about in the rest of the country?

Becky Paulsen Oct 1, 2012, 8:06pm UTC

Oh Hyper! I'm feel so badly that you have to feel concern for your safety & personal rights to that agonizing degree! If I could change the world for you I would, in a heartbeat ;-).

Becky Paulsen Oct 1, 2012, 8:15pm UTC

That's so sad, Renee...& good, too. My son came into my room in the middle of the night when he was about 14, all sweaty & frazzled, said he just couldn't stand it anymore & had to tell me...I half opened my eyes & said, "I know, Honey." You should have seen the look on his face...priceless! I'm not sure how to say it without sounding ignorant or offensive, or maybe just saying that is {sorry}, but he isn't overtly gay, & had always verbally expressed a preference for girls, so I think he thought I didn't have a clue. I shouldn't poke fun at such a serious subject, but it turned out to be a nice moment for us. I can't speak to what kind of response your friend might get from his parents, he likely knows best, but moms just know things, & they love their boys, {almost always} no matter what...he may be surprised.

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Mark-John K. Oct 1, 2012, 10:22pm UTC

"Exactly, so why would anyone who is not born a homsexual wish to subject themselves to such personal discrimination, hate and possible harm by choosing to be a homosexual, answer, no one in their right mind would." -

Correct.

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California Bans 'Gay Cure' for Kids

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