Gay Conversion Therapy For MInors To Be Banned In New Jersey By Governor Chris Christie

New Jersey has now joined the ranks with California as the second state to ban gay conversion therapy for minors. Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill into law Monday that forbids the highly controversial practice to be used on minors, a move supporters of LGBT rights view as a step toward equality and a major statement from the Republican leader. Conversion therapy is used as a way to change a person's sexuality from gay to straight, which many say use tactics that pose a danger to the recipient's mental health. The American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association and American Psychological Association , among others, all oppose the practice.

"The American Psychological Association has found that efforts to change sexual orientations can pose critical health risks including, but not limited to, depression, substance abuse, social withdrawal, decreased self-esteem and suicidal thoughts," Christie will say in his signing statement, according to documents obtained by CNN. "I believe that exposing children to these health risks without clear evidence of benefits that outweigh these serious risks is not appropriate."

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While the middle-of-the-road Republican governor may be a hot candidate for his party and has won favor from same-sex rights advocates, he's been far from a champion for the LGBT community. New Jersey if currently the only state in the Northeast that does not allow same-sex couples to marry. Christie vetoed a same-sex marriage bill just last year. He said publicaly that he does not believe homosexuality to be a choice -- which is some of the rationale behind his decision to outlaw conversion therapy -- nor does he believe homosexuality to be a sin, but has not supported any other gay rights initiatives. The approval of the bill, which may be frowned upon by more rigid conservatives within the party, is prompting some gay rights advocates and legislators to call on Christie to openly support same-sex marriage.

"He recognizes what many opponents of marriage equality do not recognize, which is that gay people are not in need of treatment,'' said state Sen. Raymond Lesniak, a Democrat who sponsored the legislation. "That's certainly an important statement to make and he made that with his signing of the bill. [Supporting same-sex marriage] is the next natural step."

California's bill was passed in 2012, but supporters of the therapy said that the bill infringes on their First Amendment rights. The bill has since been challenged. There has been no word yet on whether or not conversion therapy supporters in New Jersey will do the same.