Calif. Senate Reverses Gay "Cure" Law

The California state senate passed measures Monday to reverse an archaic law that requires the state mental health agency to research “cures” for homosexuality, and to call on President Barack Obama and Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

According to the Associated Press, Sen. Roy Ashburn, who came out this year after a drunk driving incident involving a gay bar, carried the bill to reverse the gay “cure” law, which the assembly already approved. It passed on a 36-0 vote with no debate.

“The law passed in 1950 classifies gays as sexual deviants,” reported the AP. “It requires the Department of Mental Health to research the causes and potential cures for homosexuality.”

The senate also approved a resolution already passed in the assembly calling on the president and federal lawmakers to repeal the discriminatory DOMA. The vote was 22-12, according to the AP.