Steve Knight on Civil Rights

Marriage is a union of one man and one woman

Knight: Strongly Agree

Voted NO on prohibiting sexual orientation repair therapy

The Legislature finds the following:
• Being lesbian, gay, or bisexual is not a disease, disorder, illness, deficiency, or shortcoming.

  The American Psychological Association advises avoiding sexual orientation change efforts that portray homosexuality as a mental illness or developmental disorder and to seek services that reduce rejection of sexual minority youth.

• The potential risks of reparative therapy are great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior, since therapist alignment with societal prejudices against homosexuality may reinforce self-hatred already experienced by the patient.

  California has a compelling interest in protecting its minors against exposure to serious harms caused by sexual orientation change efforts.

Status:Passed Senate, 23-13-4; passed Assembly 52 -22-6; Approved by the Governor 9/30/2012 (Steve Knight voted NAY).