California lawmakers narrowly advanced a bill Tuesday that would repeal a state law designed to find the causes and cures of homosexuality.
UPDATE 8/26/10: Repeal goes to Gov.; Assemblywoman compares to racial discrimination
-- From "Calif. considers repealing law to study, cure gays" by Cathy Bussewitz, Associated Press 4/7/10
The law, written in 1950, classifies homosexuals as "sexual deviants" and requires the state Department of Mental Health to conduct research on "deviations conducive to sex crimes against children." The research would be used to help identify potential sex offenders.
. . . California has not conducted research into homosexuality for decades, but did release several reports that examined hormone levels, physical characteristics and parental relationships of its subjects.
The American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality as a mental disorder until 1973.
. . . Parents and Friends of ExGays and Gays, also known as PFOX, sent a letter to [the Legislature] stating that research into the causes of homosexuality is a legitimate form of science that benefits both ex-gay and gay communities.
[Jeralee Smith, the PFOX California Educational Director,] believes research into the causes and cures of homosexuality should be continued, and called the move to end funding offensive.
Smith said she was molested by a woman when she was 16. She added that she spent most of her life in same-sex relationships, found it very painful, and later reoriented her thought patterns to what she called healthier ways.
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