California Seeks To Outlaw Gay 'Cure' Therapy

CUPERTINO, CA -- California lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it illegal for therapists to attempt to "cure" homosexuality. Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Cupertino) recently introduced Assembly Bill 2943 to declare conversion therapy a fraudulent practice in the state of California.

Conversion therapy is considered a practice that aims to change a patient’s sexual orientation through counseling, hypnosis, or in some rare cases, electric shock treatment. Although conversion therapy with minors is illegal in the state, there are no such protections for adults, said Low who chairs the state's Legislative LGBT Caucus.

“Study after study has shown that conversion therapy is ineffective, damaging, and counterproductive,” Low said. “It is our duty to protect Californians from such deceptive practices that will expose them to physical and emotional harm.”

The bill, if passed, would declare conversion therapy a fraudulent practice under the Consumer Legal Remedies Act. Doing so would extend certain consumer protections to individuals harmed by sexual orientation change efforts, Low's office said.

“This sham practice persists even in California and consumers need additional tools such as those provided under this bill to protect themselves from “professionals” profiting off of endangering others," said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur.

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