“The practice of so-called conversion therapy hurts our children and it’s something I’ve spoken out about time and time again," the governor said. "It has no basis in medicine. It has no basis in science.”
Beshear was joined by members of the medical community and survivors, who called the practice inhumane and dangerous. Every major medical organization in the country has denounced it.
The nonprofit suicide prevention organization the Trevor Project’s 2023 survey showed that youth who are subjected to conversion therapy reported more than twice the rate of suicide.
The governor added, “This is not about red or blue. It is not about politics at all. And to me, it’s not even about gender or sexuality. It’s about protecting our youth from an inhumane practice that hurts them.”
Just before Beshear signed the order, someone in the Capitol Rotunda shouted “abomination.” They were quickly drowned out by applause from those in attendance, including several people who call themselves survivors after going through conversion therapy.
Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have taken action to restrict the use of conversion therapy with minors in some way through executive order or by-passing legislation.
Opponents Respond
Not all Kentucky leaders are praising the new executive order.
At least one Republican is vowing to file legislation to stop the governor’s move banning what’s viewed as a widely discredited practice.
Irvington Republican Rep. Josh Calloway, who is up for re-election, says if voters send him back to Frankfort he’s planning on filing legislation on day one to stop the governor from “pushing his harmful far-left agenda on struggling kids.” The lawmaker added he’s also exploring other legal options to oppose what he dubbed “egregious overreach.”
David Walls with the Family Foundation wrote in a statement that Beshear’s order will “muzzle Christian counselors, therapists and pastors.”
UPDATE: GOP senators have signed their name to a statement regarding the executive order. Read it below.
“Time and again, the Kentucky Supreme Court has told the governor he lacks the power to create policy in the Commonwealth. Yet again, the governor is defying the Supreme Court, the General Assembly, and the doctrine of separation of powers.
“This executive order disregards the First Amendment rights regarding freedom of religion and speech and violates the fundamental parental rights and responsibilities for their children.
“The executive order uses such vague and overbroad language that health care providers are at risk, and children will be left without needed mental health care.”
The following members strongly condemn the governor’s executive order:
Sen. Gary Boswell, R-Owensboro
Sen. Donald Douglas, R-Nicholasville
Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester
Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria
Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson
Sen. John Schickel, R-Union
Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester
Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield
Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill
Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville
Senate Majority Whip Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green
Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville
