Nonsense known as ‘gay conversion therapy’ banned in California

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill banning therapy aimed at turning gay kids straight, saying such efforts “will now be relegated to the dustbin of quackery.” The ban will begin on January 1.

“This bill bans non-scientific ‘therapies’ that have driven young people to depression and suicide,” Brown tweeted.

The American Psychiatric Association says the potential risk of so-called “reparative therapy” is great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior. Therapists’ alignment with societal prejudices against homosexuality may reinforce the self-hatred already felt by patients, the association says.

“The longstanding consensus of the behavioral and social sciences and the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality per se is a normal and positive variation of human sexual orientation,” the association says.

[via CNN]