Cali Gay Therapy Law on Hold

A California law banning therapy aimed at changing the sexual orientation of gays is on hold. The Liberty Counsel, a Christian legal group, asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to stop the law's enforcement until the court decides on whether it violates the First Amendment rights of therapists and parents. One judge in the state has already declared it unconstitutional - while another decided the opposite. It was due to go into effect January first. An appeals court panel wants to wait at least until it can hear full arguments in the case. A lower court had turned down a request for an injunction by counselors who practice so-called "reparative therapy" along with two families who say the therapy helped their sons. If the law goes into effect, therapists using this technique could be disciplined by state licensing boards.