FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NJ Law Gives Shot of Momentum To Nationwide Efforts To Protect LGBT Youth From Abusive Practice
Truth Wins Out applauded a law signed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie today (A3371), that would stop conversion therapists from practicing their harmful psychological techniques on minors. New Jersey becomes the second state, after California, to ban the practice, and on July 16, a hearing was held on this issue in front of the Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons, with Disabilities.
“New Jersey’s LGBT youth are safer today because an abusive practice has been banned that destroys families and shatters lives,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “The New Jersey law gives tremendous momentum for moving forward with new efforts to protect LGBT youth across the nation. We must remember that conversion therapy isn’t a legitimate form of therapy, but a political marketing gimmick designed to demonize and stigmatize LGBT people. This is why it is rejected by every respected mainstream medical and mental health association in America.”
“I believe that exposing children to these health risks without clear evidence of benefits that outweigh these serious risks is not appropriate,” wrote Gov. Christie. “Based upon this analysis, I sign this bill into law.”
Truth Wins Out is grateful for Garden State Equality’s leadership in moving the bill through the New Jersey legislature, and helping to persuade the gove
rnor to sign it into law.
“There is no greater achievement than helping to stop the abuse of our youth,” said Garden State Equality Executive Director Troy Stevenson. “Today’s Sexual Orientation Change Effort (SOCE) ban will do just that. It will protect young people from being abused by those they should trust the most, their parents and their doctors. Garden State Equality thanks Assemblyman Tim Eustace and Senator Raymond Lesniak for championing this law.”
In June, TWO’s Wayne Besen testified in Trenton in support of the bill.
Truth Wins Out is a nonprofit organization that fights anti-LGBT extremism. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.
