California senate finally repeals 60-year-old 'gay cure' mandate

On Monday, the California Senate approved a bill to repeal a six-decade-old "gay cure" mandate from the state's code.

As reported by the Associated Press, the 1950 law instructed California's State Department of Mental Health to investigate and research "the casues and cures of homosexuality".

The biggest gay advocate in the state, Equality California, were responsible for lobbying for the passage of the bill. The endevour was sponsored by Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, a Long Beach Democrat.

Ms Lowenthal said to AP earlier this year: "It's discriminatory, it's insulting and it's got to go. Sixty years is more than long enough."

The bill was approved by assembly members with a 62-0 vote back in April and the measure was passed this week with a unanimous 36-0 vote igniting no debate among senators.

The 1950 law classifies gay men and lesbians as "sexual deviants" and potential child molestors.

However, "ex-gay" group Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX), who believe sexual orientation can – and should – be altered, objected to repeal of the law, calling the move "offensive".