In a bill that is the first of its kind, California looks set to partially ban so-called ‘conversion’ or ‘reparative’ therapy that claims to ‘wean people off’ their homosexuality.

The bill, which outlaws such therapies for minors, and requires adults to be told that counselling is ineffectual and probably dangerous, is sponsored by Senator Ted Lieu, who has said that such therapies “can be dangerous” and cause “extreme depression and guilt” which may lead to suicide.” It passed its final Senate Committee yesterday.

The National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) quickly condemned the bill as a piece of social engineering. David Pickup, speaking for NARTH, said: “Any therapist worth his salt knows that homosexual feelings commonly occur in victims as a result of abuses. I ought to know because I was one of those boys.”