Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Judge temporarily blocks Calif. gay therapy law

USA Today   A federal judge has temporarily blocked California from enforcing a first-of-its-kind law that bars licensed psychotherapists from working to change the sexual orientation of gay minors, but he limited the scope of his order to just the three providers who have appealed to him to overturn the measure.
U.S. District Court Judge William Shubb made a decision on Monday just hours after a hearing on the issue, ruling that the First Amendment rights of psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals who engage in "reparative" or "conversion" therapy outweigh concern that the practice poses a danger to young people. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and other basic rights.

"Even if SB 1172 is characterized as primarily aimed at regulating conduct, it also extends to forms of (conversion therapy) that utilize speech and, at a minimum, regulates conduct that has an incidental effect on speech," Shubb wrote.

The judge also disputed the California Legislature's finding that trying to change young people's sexual orientation puts them at risk for suicide or depression, saying it was based on "questionable and scientifically incomplete studies."

The law, which was passed by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in October, states that therapists and counselors who use "sexual orientation change efforts" on clients under 18 would be engaging in unprofessional conduct and subject to discipline by state licensing boards. It is set to take effect on Jan. 1.

1 comment:

  1. Just to be fair let your readers be known your distatse for Satmar. Your posts and comments throughthe years have allways been anti Satmar.

    Your intrepretations of the Rebbes speach is slanted and tainted as allways to fit your beleifs and opinions.

    oh great one eidenshon master of time space and dimension. Pleaserun across the street and get Reb Moishe's approval for public ridicule of your next prey.

    May Hashem repay you for all of your deeds and dibros measure for measure

    ReplyDelete

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