New Jersey Governor Chris Christie today signed
A 3371, a bill that bans licensed mental health, social work and counseling professionals from engaging in in sexual orientation change efforts with a person under 18 years of age. In his signing statement (
full text), Christie said that while he is concerned about limiting parental choice, exposing children to the mental health risks of conversion therapy without clear evidence of benefits that outweigh the serious risks is not appropriate. A
press release from the governor's office announcing the signing included an exchange between Christie and CNN's Pierce Morgan:
Piers Morgan: Is homosexuality a sin?
Governor Christie: Well my religion says it’s a sin. I mean I think, but for me, I’ve always believed that people are born with the predisposition to be homosexual. And so I think if someone is born that way it’s very difficult to say then that’s a sin. But I understand that my Church says that, but for me personally I don’t look at someone who is homosexual as a sinner.
USA Today reports on the bill signing.
