Christie, now seeking reelection and viewed as a possible presidential contender in 2016, has steadfastly opposed Democrats in the Legislature as they have sought to legalize same-sex marriage. His administration argued last week in court against a lawsuit seeking to grant same-sex marriage.
In signing the ban into law Monday, Christie said he was reluctant to do so because it prevents parents from selecting treatment for their children. However, he cited medical experts who say the therapy can cause serious harm to minors.
Christie, a Roman Catholic, has said he doesn’t consider homosexuality to be a sin because he believes people are predisposed to it at birth. And his office attached those earlier statements to its message saying Christie had signed the new measure to ban the practice critics have called child abuse.
