Two weeks after the closure of Exodus International, a Christian ministry dedicated to repressing same-sex attraction, the New Jersey legislature passed a bill that would ban conversion therapy for minors. The state Assembly approved the legislation June 24 with an overwhelming 56-14 vote; it previously passed the Senate in a 28-9 vote. The legislation awaits the signature of Gov. Chris Christie. His office did not return a call to PGN about his position on the legislation. California last year became the first and only state in the nation to ban conversion therapy for minors. Out Assemblyman Reed Gusciora said Exodus International’s closing illustrated the primary message of the legislation. “I think it was important to introduce this bill, especially after Exodus closed its doors and realized that they did more damage than good,” Gusciora said. “When the executive director issued a public apology, it showed the falsehood of the therapy and that it gives false hope to a lot of parents when they should be more understanding of their child.” Garden State Equality communications director TJ Helmstetter said his agency, with the support of prime sponsor Assembly Tim Eustace, helped organize the effort to educate lawmakers and the public about the need for the law. “We organized witnesses, put out the word to partner organizations, compiled research and testimony and lined up witnesses to speak at the public hearing,” Helmstetter said. “We also made sure legislators had the information and knowledge before it advanced out of committee.” Now that the legislation has reached the governor’s desk, it is unclear what its next step will be. Christie has expressed opposition to conversion therapy, but Gusciora noted that he may be influenced by potential presidential aspirations. “He has always given signals that he is concerned about its effect on religious institutions and we made it clear that religious institutions are not affected, but he may use it as an excuse to veto the bill, but that would not be a valid constitutional stand,” he said. “Then we would need to have a veto override and the governor has gone four years without legislators being able to do that, so it will be difficult.” Helmstetter, however, was optimistic. “I think Gov. Christie is a man of his word and has strong convictions and, therefore, I would expect him to sign this bill.”
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