California Lawmakers Ban Attempting to "Cure" Gay Youths

The bill completely bans reparative therapy for those under 18.

The California Assembly on Tuesday approved a bill that would prohibit mental health providers in the state from attempting to change the sexual orientation of minors.

"This, in my opinion, is an abusive practice in the guise of therapy," said California Assembly Speaker John A. Perez, the first openly-gay man in the nation to hold the position of Speaker of a legislative body. He described the practice of attempting to change someone's sexual orientation, sometimes called reparative therapy, as dehumanizing and damaging.

The bill, S.B. 117, "helps protect children from activities, as well meaning as they may be, that subject them to incredible challenges to their humanity and put their lives at risk," Perez said.