It's amazing how long past stupidities can hang around on the books. When I was 16 in 1960's Michigan, gay people could be locked up indefinitely in psycho wards by their parents or the courts just for being gay. Seriously...think about that.
Calif. legislature approves removing gay 'cure' languageFrom Equality California:
Code instructs state to research 'cure' for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals
The California State Senate passed a bill on Monday that would repeal a section of the California Welfare and Institutions code that instructs the State Department of Mental Health to conduct research into the "causes and cures of homosexuality," with the implication that lesbian, gay, and bisexual Californians are sexual deviants, potential sex offenders and a threat to children.
The bill, AB 2199, was passed in a unanimous 36-0 vote that included bipartisan support and is sponsored by Equality California and was introduced by Assembly member Bonnie Lowenthal (D-Long Beach).
"It is outrageous that California law requires the state to expend scare resources in a futile attempt to 'cure' homosexuality," said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California. "Every reputable study has demonstrated conclusively that it is an immutable characteristic that cannot and should not be changed. This offensive code must be stricken from the books immediately."
The code, which was originally authored in the 1950s, implies that lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals can and should be cured, in direct contradiction with an enormous body of research that demonstrates otherwise.
"Support for this bill has been fantastic," said Assembly member Lowenthal. "That speaks volumes about how far we've come since 1950."
This bill, Repeal of Discriminatory Code, heads back to the Assembly for a concurrence vote and will then go to the governor's desk.
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