As Legislature Sends Ban on Gay Therapy to Governor, PJI Promises Legal Challenge

Sacramento, CA – California legislators cast their final votes late Thursday in favor of a controversial ban on therapy for minors with same-sex attractions. The bill, SB 1172, now goes to Gov. Jerry Brown. Meanwhile, attorneys with Pacific Justice Institute are pledging to file suit if the bill is signed into law.

The State Senate approved SB 1172 on a party-line vote of 22-12, with Democrats casting all the yes votes and Republicans all voting no. The vote yesterday followed a similar result in the Assembly. It is not clear whether Gov. Brown will sign or veto the bill, though he typically agrees with homosexual advocacy groups like Equality California that have been pushing SB 1172. 

Pacific Justice Institute has been the leading pro-family legal organization opposing the bill. According to PJI attorneys, SB 1172 unconstitutionally restricts parental rights, privacy rights and First Amendment rights—to name just a few. “We have never seen this level of restriction, prohibition and intrusion in the name of LGBT rights,” said Brad Dacus, president of PJI. “We intend to vigorously pursue legal action if this unprecedented attack on family decision-making is signed into law.”

PJI Staff Attorney Matthew McReynolds, who has been coordinating PJI’s legislative opposition and spoke against the measure at all three policy committee hearings, commented, “SB 1172 makes it crystal clear that the new focus of LGBT advocacy groups is not equality or civil rights, but shutting down and silencing their opponents. Californians are among the most tolerant people in the world, and they do not support this approach of outlawing speech just because LGBT groups disagree with it.”

PJI is urging Californians to call Gov. Brown’s office toll-free at 1-855-468-2796 to voice their concerns about SB 1172.  

Pacific Justice Institute is a non-profit legal organization dedicated to defending religious, parental, and other constitutional rights.

P.O. Box 276600 Sacramento, CA 95827-6600 Phone: (916) 857-6900 Fax: (916) 857-6902 PJI.org