So called ex-gay (also known as Conversion therapy) is well known to be an abusive, intimidating, and life destroying process. In recent months many former leaders of the movement have come out against it with claims that it doesn’t even work.
Now legislators in California have proposed a law that would prohibit such “therapy” from being performed on children.
SB 1172 (Lieu)
Sexual orientation change effortsExisting law provides for licensing and regulation of various professions in the healing arts, including physicians and surgeons, psychologists, psychiatric technicians, marriage and family therapists, educational psychologists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional clinical counselors.
This bill would prohibit psychotherapists, as defined, from performing sexual orientation change efforts, as defined, in the absence of informed consent of the patient. The bill would require a specified statement to be included on the informed consent form. Informed consent would not be effective for patients under 18 years of age. The bill would provide for a cause of action against psychotherapists by patients, former patients, or certain other persons in specified cases.
