Kentucky Governor Prohibits ‘Conversion Therapy’ via Executive Order

In a significant move, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear has issued an executive order to prohibit the use of “conversion therapy” on minors in Kentucky. This decision comes as a response to the growing concerns regarding a practice that aims to alter an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity through counseling techniques, which have been widely discredited.

Beshear’s action was prompted by repeated failures to pass a state law banning conversion therapy in Kentucky’s Republican-controlled legislature. During the signing ceremony held at the Kentucky Statehouse, he emphasized the moral imperative to protect children from harmful practices.

“My faith teaches me that all children are children of God,” Beshear remarked. “And where practices are endangering and even harming those children, we must act. The practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ hurts our children.”

The atmosphere at the ceremony was charged, with one individual opposing the order by claiming it denied affirmation therapy. This protest was quickly overshadowed by supportive activists advocating for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights, who responded with cheers.

Shortly after Beshear’s announcement, the Family Foundation, a conservative group in Kentucky, condemned the executive order. They argued it infringes upon parental rights and hinders religious expression. David Walls, the executive director of the organization, criticized the order as an effort to impose what he referred to as “false LGBTQ ideologies” on the community.

In anticipation of backlash, Beshear defended his decision by stating that it does not impose any ideology. “It simply stops a so-called ‘therapy’ that the medical community says is wrong and hurts our children,” he insisted.

The executive order prohibits conversion therapy for minors and makes it illegal to use state or federal funds to provide such services. It also grants the state’s licensure board the authority to discipline individuals who violate this order.

The scientific community widely denounces conversion therapy, with organizations such as the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association expressing their opposition. These groups cite substantial research indicating that conversion therapy increases the risks of suicide and depression among those subjected to it.

Currently, nearly half of U.S. states, along with the District of Columbia, have enacted laws banning the practice for minors. Beshear’s office has highlighted Kentucky’s latest action as a critical step aligning with this national trend.

Chris Hartman, the executive director of the Fairness Campaign—a Kentucky-based advocacy group focused on LGBTQ+ rights—commended Beshear for his decisive action. Hartman described the move as a crucial affirmation of the dignity and worth of LGBTQ+ youth in Kentucky, reinforcing the notion that “you are perfect as you are.”

As discussions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights continue to evolve in the United States, Beshear’s executive order stands out as a landmark decision in the effort to protect vulnerable young people from harmful practices.