California law banning gay 'conversion therapy' put on hold From AnneClaire Stapleton, CNN December 22, 2012 -- Updated 1030 GMT (1830 HKT) The law would have gone into effect January 1 Conversion therapy has been a topic of hot debate Supporters say the therapy can can help turn a gay person straight Critics say it does not work (CNN) -- An appeals court slapped an injunction on a new California state law that bans conversion therapy for minors-- a method some say can help turn a gay person straight. The federal panel of three judges at the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday to block the law that would have prevented young people under 18 from undergoing the controversial treatment. The ruling will keep the law, the first of its kind in the United States, from being instituted until it can be argued at future court hearings. Conversion therapy has been being hotly debated across the country. "We do competent therapy, therapy that truly works," he said in October, adding that he had undergone the treatment and was treating others.