World
Gay Cure and Treatment Bill Reversal Moves Forward
![Bonnie_lowenthalx390_0](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/bonnie-lowenthalx390-0.jpg?id=32725412&width=1200&height=876)
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
An antigay California statute requiring health experts to find a cure for homosexuality is on its way to being reversed by the state legislature. The assembly's public safety committee has approved Assembly Bill 2199, introduced by Bonnie Lowenthal (pictured) of Long Beach, which seeks to repeal the decades-old law.
The San Francisco Chronicle
reports that it seemed the assembly bill would be easy to pass. But it took a while
to get the bill out of committee because several assembly members
abstained from voting, fearing parts of the law pertaining to sex
offenders would wind up being removed from state statutes.
Lowenthal
explained that the 1950 measure was one of many intended to address mounting
public fear resulting from highly publicized child molestations,
including the 1949 rape and murder of 6-year-old Linda Glucoft. Although the Glucoft case did
not involve a gay man, the wave of legislation lumped gays in with
"sexual deviants" and sought to find answers to "the causes and cures
of homosexuality."
Some of the legal language was altered in 1977, but Lowenthal's bill would remove the archaic antigay provision
from the books 60 years after it was passed.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!