Ban on gay conversion therapy

[Jazzy]

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation Monday banning the controversial practice of "conversion" therapy for gay youth. It is a victory for gay rights groups that have long been trying to get the Republican governor to reverse his position on same-sex marriage.

The law forbids licensed therapists from using therapy to try to change the sexual orientation of minors. New Jersey is the second state, after California, to ban the practice.

Christie said that while he is concerned about "government limiting parental choice on the care and treatment of their own children,'' he sided with expert opinion from the American Psychological Association that the practice can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts and substance abuse in teenagers.

Christie "did the right thing" by banning conversion therapy, Log Cabin Republicans, a GOP gay rights group, said in a statement. "We may disagree with the governor on the issue of marriage, but it's good to see that we see eye-to-eye when it comes to the dangers of nonsensical 'ex-gay' therapy and treating all life with dignity.''

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Do you think conversion therapy could work? Why / Why not?