According to CNN, Gov. Chris Christie will sign legislation today banning gay conversion therapy for minors, becoming the second state — behind California — to do so.
The New Jersey Senate passed a bill banning the controversial practice back in June, but at the time Christie’s cooperation was still up in the air.
Christie, a centrist Republican and potential presidential candidate, is expected to note his wariness of the “government limiting parental choice on the care and treatment of their own children,” but he will side with the experts on this particular issue.
From an advanced copy of Christie’s statement, obtained by CNN:
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“The American Psychological Association has found that efforts to change sexual orientations can pose critical health risks including, but not limited to, depression, substance abuse, social withdrawal, decreased self-esteem and suicidal thoughts. I believe that exposing children to these health risks without clear evidence of benefits that outweigh these serious risks is not appropriate.”
Christie has rather stubbornly — and stupidly — opposed gay marriage legislation in the nation’s favorite punchline state, but said that as a Catholic he does not believe homosexuality is a sin.
hyhybt
“Christie has rather stubbornly — and stupidly — opposed gay marriage legislation in the nation’s favorite punchline state”
Why would he even comment on Florida?
Ottoman
Christie is not a centrist Republican. Stop perpetuating that lie. He’s anti woman, anti gay, anti union, anti poor, anti abortion, and pro corporate and millionaire tax breaks. He’s just better at hiding his zealotry be amuse media compares him to utter morons like bobby Kendal and Scott walker
2eo
@Ottoman: To be fair the same media paints Obama as a leftist liberal when in the real world he’s a centre right [at best] politician.
It seems to not be a fanatic nutter in the right leaning press you have to not be actively jacking off to holocaust photos.
iMort
Gee, that’s awfully BIG of Christie. They are all a bunch of amoral asses who say and do anything to get votes. Our government is so opaque as to be invisible. Our country is run and controlled by corporations and lobbyists, and every politician is tucked neatly into their back pockets. The current trend is to eliminate the middle class and silence every voice but those they want to hear. If you think that YOU have any real rights or freedoms then you live in a world of dreams. Enjoy the lie while it lasts.
Caleb in SC
So he is willing to the experts when it comes to gay conversion therapy, but isn’t willing to listen to experts when it comes to marriage equality? I’m calling bullshit on this one.
Kangol
He “reluctantly” signed this bill. He knows better. Disgusting that the mainstream media love this man, but then the money people in New York badly want him in power, and what they want, they often tend to get, from both Republicans AND Democrats.
BJ McFrisky
Damned if he do, damned if he don’t.
Christie could appease every legal movement you support, but as long as he has that (R) beside his name, you’ll always hate him. Sad you guys can’t accept any ally unless his name is Obama.
erasure25
@BJ McFrisky: Omg. Ok we get it. You like the GOP. Every post from you is the same. We are not going to fall in love with the GOP just because they did one thing right, or didn’t make a point to utterly hate us. Yes, Christie signing this bill is great. But we need more actions from Christie before the lgbt community should applaud him. You do realize Christie is the only thing standing in the way of marriage equality in NJ. Even the majority of NJ residents want marriage equality. So no, Christie does not deserve our gratitude yet. Neither does Fox “News” despite Kelly and that other commentator not being so homophobic.
Jonty Coppersmith
@BJ McFrisky:
You’re absolutely right! That “R” stands for religious fundamentalism, racism, misogyny, Ayn Randian philosophy (government’s primary purpose to protect interests of the wealthy while stomping on the filthy masses), trickle down economics,fascism (essentially government by corporate interests that is characterized by extreme militarism,extreme patriotism, and often racism), etc.
So no I’m not going to vote for that no matter what.
Horse Lips
He’s still a douche wizard.
Redpalacebulleaglesox
Christie is rather conservative, but the difference is that he is a traditional politician instead of an absolutist. An absolutist would never had met with a President from the other party under any circumstances. Christie, for all his faults (and there are many), knows where partisan politics ends and governance takes over, as he demonstrated with meeting President Obama after Sandy. Some of these other panderers to the GOPs right wingnut base “wouldn’t.
Vartan X.
It’s interesting how the far left loves bashing anyone if he/she is not 100% on their side. The same crowd who allegedly cares about the poor looks down on anyone who isn’t a Starbucks patron or a boutique shopper. I am a working class man. I know Republicans don’t give a crap about me and neither do wealthy white liberals, who live in gated communities and get terrified at a sight of black man walking down the street.