California bans 'gay cure' therapy for children

Rich Pedroncelli / AP file California state Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, sponsored the bill to ban a controversial form of psychotherapy aimed at making gay youth straight. By James Eng, NBC News California has become the first state in the nation to ban therapy that tries to turn gay teens straight. Gov. Jerry Brown announced Sunday that he has signed Senate Bill 1172, which prohibits children under age 18 from undergoing "sexual orientation change efforts."  The law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, prohibits state-licensed therapists from engaging in these practices with minors.  "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," Clarissa Filgioun, board president of Equality California, said in a press release. Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, added: "Governor Brown has sent a powerful message of affirmation and support to LGBT youth and their families. 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.'" The bill was sponsored by Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, who said bogus and unethical practices by mental-health providers to try to change a young person's sexual orientation have resulted in irreparable psychological and emotional harm to patients. In some cases, teens later committed suicide, he said. Watch the most-viewed videos on NBCNews.com "No one should stand idly by while children are being psychological abused, and anyone who forces a child to try to change their sexual orientation must understand this is unacceptable," Lieu said in a statement. "Governor Brown should be commended for protecting LGBT youth by ending this type of quackery." Supporters of the bill included several lesbian and gay-rights groups and mental health associations. Previous story: California moves closer to banning 'gay cure' therapy for teens More content from NBCNews.com: LA drivers steer clear of 'Carmageddon' freeway closure Wild horses sold by US later ending up at slaughterhouses? Video: What troops in Afghanistan want from home Cops: Teen mom dumped 3-week-old baby on roadside, claimed abduction Killing of wolf pack criticized by key Wash. state senator Follow US News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook