Credit: Getty Images
Some New York state legislators were heartened by an appeals court ruling yesterday upholding a California prohibition on licensed therapists providing so-called “conversion therapy” to minors.
“Conversion therapy” attempts to change the sexual orientation or gender expression of patients under the age of 18.
State Senators Brad Hoylman and Michael Gianaris and State Assembly Member Deborah Glick, all Democrats, are sponsoring similar legislation in New York state and released a joint statement expressing hope that this ruling, as well as the ban recently signed by Republican Governor Chris Christie in New Jersey, bodes well for the passage of their own bills.
They called the ruling “an enormous boost” to their own efforts.
“At a time when there is increased pressure being placed on the LGBT community, with hate crimes and incendiary language being directed at gay people, this decision is a bright spot,” the statement said. “It’s now our responsibility to build on their progress and protect LGBT youth in New York.”
Anti-gay hate crimes like the fatal assault of a transgender woman named Islan Nettles in Harlem last week are on an apparent uptick in New York City. Police said the number of such incidents is almost double what it was last year.
Follow Danielle Tcholakian on Twitter @danielleiat
The post New York state legislators hail Calif., N.J. ‘conversion therapy’ bans appeared first on Metro.us.