Some good news for LGBT youth in the state of New Jersey. Gov. Christie will sign today a bill that will outlaw "Gay Conversion" therapies for minors.
CNN reports that
New Jersey will become the second state to forbid gay conversion therapy for minors when Gov. Chris Christie signs legislation into law Monday banning the highly controversial practice, CNN has learned.
Gov. Christie in a coherent statement provided by CNN:
The American Psychological Association has found that efforts to change sexual orientations can pose critical health risks including, but not limited to, depression, substance abuse, social withdrawal, decreased self-esteem and suicidal thoughts,” ... I believe that exposing children to these health risks without clear evidence of benefits that outweigh these serious risks is not appropriate.
He also stated that:
Well, my religion says it's a sin,” Christie said on ‘Piers Morgan Tonight.’ “But for me, I don't. I've always believed that people are born with the predisposition to be homosexual. And so, I think if someone is born that way, it's very difficult to say then that that's a sin. But I understand that my church says that. But for me personally, I don' t look upon someone who is homosexual as a sinner.”
I don't care much for Christie's republican policies and dogmas, but a day where republican governor chooses science and reason over religious bigotry so prevalent in his own party is a good day in my book.
I'm not saying there is no some cynical political calculation on his part (probably there is).
And of course - This is a good day for LGBT minors in NJ who will be able to resist the attempts to "cure" them by unscrupulous "therapists"
From now on, in NJ, this mental rape (AKA "conversion therapy) of minors is illegal.
That is also an excellent day in my book.