NJ Senate Passes Bill Banning Gay Conversion Therapy, Sends It to Chris Christie

New Jersey's Senate voted 28-9 to approved a ban on gay conversion therapy for minors, giving it final legislative passage, and sending it to Governor Chris Christie for his signature, the Star-Ledger reports:

Gov. Chris Christie has publicly stated his opposition to conversion therapy, so supporters are hopeful he will sign it into law. Opponents say the bill violates the rights of parents to make decisions for their children.

"This practice is an abuse of the term therapy and it is abuse in no uncertain terms," said Troy Stevenson, executive director of Garden State Equality, a gay rights organization that lobbied for the bill's passage. "Any attempt to take an immutable and fundamental aspect of a person's character and change it to suit someone else's will is selfish and often soul destroying for the victim. The legislation passed today will save lives; it will protect our youth; and it is vital that the Governor sign the bill as soon as possible."