Gov. Christie unsure on 'gay conversion'

STONE HARBOR, N.J., March 21 (UPI) -- Gov. Chris Christie said he is unsure if New Jersey should ban "gay conversion therapy."

During a news conference Wednesday in Stone Harbor on the Jersey Shore, Christie said he remains opposed to legalizing gay marriage, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported. Civil unions are legal in the state but not marriage.

The state Senate Health Committee released a bill Monday that would bar licensed therapists from using "gay conversion therapy." Many gays insist the practice is "demoralizing" and does not work.

Christie said he has not made up his mind about signing the bill if it reaches his desk.

"Number one, I think there should be lots of deference given to parents on raising their children. I don't -- this is a general philosophy, not to his bill -- generally philosophically, on bills that restrict parents ability to make decisions on how to care for their children, I'm generally a skeptic of those bills," he said. "Now, there can always be exceptions to those rules and this bill may be one of them."