First law to ban gay-to-straight treatment passed in U.S.August 30, 2013 - 09:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An appeal court has sided with California and upheld the first law in America banning psychological treatment that seeks to turn gay youths straight, Belfast Telegraph said. In a resounding, unanimous opinion, a three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals found the state law barring the so-called gay aversion therapy legal in every respect. The judges said trying to change a minor's sexual orientation through intense therapy appeared dangerous, and that California politicians properly showed that the sexual orientation change efforts were outside the scientific mainstream and have been rejected for good reason. The activities of pastors and lay counsellors who are unlicensed but provide such therapy through church programmes are not covered by the law. Liberty Counsel, a Christian legal aid group that represents supporters of the practice, said it would either ask a larger panel of the court to reconsider the decision or petition the US Supreme Court to take up the case. The group is also fighting the New Jersey law. Liberty and other backers of the therapy argue that politicians have no conclusive, scientific proof that the therapy does harm. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |