The New Jersey state Senate has passed a bill to ban licensed therapists from trying to convert gay minors into heterosexuals.

Gay Flag
Oleksiy Maksymenko, Getty Images
loading...

It now goes to Gov. Chris Christie for consideration. Christie has declined to answer questions about whether he will sign the measure.

Supporters of the ban say that it's damaging to young people and wrong to think that homosexuality is something that can or should be "cured."

Opponents, mostly social conservatives, say the bill restricts what counselors can do and interferes with the rights of parents to do what they believe is best for their children.

The Senate passed the bill Thursday on a 28 to 9 vote. The Assembly had already adopted it.

 

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.)

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM