The First Amendment to the United States Constitution forbids laws “abridging the freedom of speech” or “prohibiting the free exercise” of religion. The California Constitution affirms that “[e]very person may freely speak, write and publish his or her sentiments on all subjects,” and that “[f]ree exercise and enjoyment of religion without discrimination or preference are guaranteed.”
(Calvin Freiburger – LifeSiteNews) – The California Senate voted Thursday to approve the nation’s broadest proposed ban on treatment for overcoming unwanted same-sex attractions.
The vote on Assembly Bill 2943 was 25-11, the Washington Blade reports. The bill forbids minors and adults alike from obtaining “sexual orientation change efforts,” regardless of their wishes. By classifying what leftists pejoratively call “conversion therapy” (also known as reparative therapy) under prohibited “goods,” critics say it would go so far as to ban the sale of books endorsing the practice, as well as other forms of constitutionally-protected speech.
The Assembly voted 50-14 to pass AB 2943 in April, but its Senate vote was delayeduntil after the summer recess following a deluge of phone calls from disapproving constituents and a fierce public backlash from churches and other religious groups.
Bill sponsor and Democratic Assemblyman Evan Low reportedly considered amending it into a more palatable form, but Courthouse News reports that the state Assembly only needs to vote on procedural amendments before sending the final version to Gov. Jerry Brown.
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