California law banning therapy that aims to make gay teens straight faces first court test

A California law prohibiting the practice of so-called "ex-gay therapy" on minors faces its first legal test Friday, when lawyers for counselors endorsing the anti-gay practice and parents who claim their sons have benefited from it, plan to ask a judge to block the first-of-its-kind measure. U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller will hear arguments on whether she should grant an injunction that would prevent the law, which was passed by the California Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown as SB1172 in October, from taking effect on Jan. 1. The temporary delay would allow underage clients to continue receiving the so-called "therapy" while its anti-gay supporters seek to overturn the law on grounds that it violates their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and religion.