Assemblyman Rich Gordon’s statement on banning reparative therapy in California

Assemblyman Rich Gordon’s statement on banning reparative therapy in California

SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblyman Rich Gordon (Menlo Park), Chair of the Legislative LGBT Caucus, released the following statement in response to the signing of SB 1172.  Signed into law over the weekend by Governor Brown, the new law bans for minors reparative therapies, which aim to change one’s sexual orientation.

“I am pleased that Governor Brown has signed this important piece of legislation into law. It was not too long ago that ‘same-sex attraction’ was widely deemed a mental disorder under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.  While this view is widely rejected now, many national professional associations, including the American Psychological Association, have similarly disavowed so-called ‘reparative therapies’ as ineffective and even damaging. Reports suggest these therapies lead to long-lasting detrimental effects such as depression, guilt, shame, suicidality, substance abuse and high-risk sexual behavior. 

LGBT youth already face a number of obstacles as they come into their own, but exposing them to questionable practices should not be one of them. This bill is part of the state’s charge to ensure that all young Californians have the opportunity to lead productive and fulfilling lives.”

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Media Contact: 
William Kim
916-319-2021
William.Kim@asm.ca.gov