To date, not a single study or person has come forward to actually admit that their sexual orientation has changed drastically through ex-gay therapy. Even the people behind Exodus International have admitted that they have not changed their orientation, but basically have buried it. Doing so is psychologically unhealthy, of course, and damaging to children.

Assemblyman Tim Eustace would make New Jersey the second state to ban children being forced into conversion therapy, better known as ex-gay therapy. Such therapy is intended to chagne the sexual orientation of a person, usually a minor, and usually involves a lot of pseudoscience that actually tends to believe that homosexuality is created by a lack of contact with one’s father, or some kind of problem with masculinity.

Never mind the fact that many gay men are pretty masculine.

The practice has been condemned by the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Counseling Association. Recently, Dr. Robert Spitzer retracted his study supporting the practice noting that his methodology was flawed.

Eustace stated “Studies and personal testimony have shown this practice creates irreparable harm on young people struggling to come to terms with their sexuality. Forcing someone to deny their innate feelings and their very existence has led to depression, suicidal tendencies and other untold harm. Leading psychological professionals agree that this practice has no place in legitimate mental health therapies. I hope New Jersey will join California in leading the way on standing up to this harmful practice.”

The bill itself is aimed at minors, and would prohibit counseling to change the sexual orientation of a minor. The bill is also specific to those who provide professional counseling including, but not limited to, psychiatrists, licensed practicing psychologists, certified social workers, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, certified psychoanalysts, and anyone who performs counseling as part of their professional training.

The bill also defines ex-gay therapy as any practice seeking to change a person’s sexual persuasion or reduce and eliminate sexual and romantic attractions, feelings or behaviors directed towards a person of a particular gender.