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\f0\fs24 \cf2 Image:{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.aglbical.org/2A%20REPARATIVE.htm"}}{\fldrslt
\cf3 \ul ALGBTICAL}}\ \uc0\u8232
\b BY JASMINE BAILEY\'a0 \b0 \
\ A federal appeals court ruled Friday to put
a hold on a California state law that would ban the controversial \'93conversion\'94 therapy
for minors, aiming to turn gay minors straight.\uc0\u8232 \u8232 {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.sandiego6.com/"}}{\fldrslt
\cf3 \ul \ulc3 XETV:\'a0}}\'a0 \b \'93The first of its kind law was supposed
to go into effect January 1st. It would make mental health professionals who try to change
their clients *** orientations subject to discipline by state licensing boards.\'94
\b0 \ \pard\pardeftab720\sa220
{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.kofytv.com/"}}{\fldrslt \cf3 \ul \ulc3 KOFY:}}\'a0
\b \'93Councilors who practice the therapy and two families who say their teenage sons
benefited from it sought the injunction after a lower court refused their request.\'94
\b0 \ \uc0\u8232 According to the {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/place/article/Court-puts-hold-on-gay-conversion-law-4139819.php#ixzz2FmrMcujj"}}{\fldrslt \cf3 \ul \ulc3 San Francisco Chronicle}},
opponents of the law claim that it violates First Amendment rights. In an interview with
{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-22/california-gay-therapy-injunction-granted-by-appeal-court.html"}}{\fldrslt \cf3 \ul \ulc3 Bloomberg}}, a lawyer representing
a therapist who filed to have the law overturned said\'85.\uc0\u8232 \u8232 \u8232
\b \'93This law is politically motivated to interfere with counselors and clients \'85
This law is an astounding overreach by the government into the realm of counseling and
would have caused irreparable harm.\'94 \b0 \uc0\u8232 \u8232 \u8232 But according
to the {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/***-orientation.aspx"}}{\fldrslt \cf3 \ul \ulc3 American Psychological Association}},
conversion therapy has not been proven to work and, in some cases, might even be harmful.\uc0\u8232
\u8232 \u8232 \b It seems likely that the promotion of change
therapies reinforces stereotypes and contributes to a negative climate for lesbian, gay, and
bisexual persons. This appears to be especially likely for \'85 individuals who grow up in
more conservative religious settings.\'94 \b0 \uc0\u8232 \u8232 \u8232 A doctor tells{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/12/california-gay-conversion-therapy-ban.html"}}{\fldrslt \cf3 \ul KTTV}}, that is exactly what the
law aims to protect minors from.\ \uc0\u8232
\b \'93To try to stop teenagers who have no control or power from being forced into gay
conversion therapy. Like it protects children who are Christian Scientist and won\'92t give
them penicillin.\'94 \b0 \uc0\u8232 \u8232 \'a0\u8232 The three-judge
panel gave no reason for its decision. Both sides have until mid-February to file written
briefs on the case. A different panel of judges will then determine whether the law is constitutional.\
}