Sacramento, Calif., Dec 5, 2012 / 04:02 am
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a California law that bars therapy to change the behaviors or orientations of those with same-sex attractions under 18, ruling that a lawsuit against it will likely succeed on free speech grounds.
Opponents of the law praised Monday's ruling.
Brad Dacus, President of the Sacramento-based Pacific Justice Institute, said Dec. 3 that the decision "sends a clear signal to all those who feel they can stifle religious freedom, free speech and the rights of parents without being contested."
On Sept. 29 California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law S.B. 1172, a broadly worded law that bars any therapy "to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex" among minors. The law applies even if a minor and his or her parents desire the therapy.