Kentucky’s governor will issue an executive order Wednesday prohibiting a contentious therapeutic practice that has been condemned by nearly all major medical societies.
According to Gov. Andy Beshear’s office, the Democrat will sign an order unilaterally prohibiting conversion therapy throughout the Commonwealth.
Conversion therapy is a discredited type of treatment that involves interventions aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation, sexual practices, or gender identity. According to the American Medical Association, the assumption that “homosexuality and gender non-conformity are mental disorders and that sexual orientation and gender identity can be changed” is at the heart of so-called conversion therapy, which frequently employs unethical methods.
The American Medical Association, which supports conversion therapy bans, stated that these assumptions are “not based on medical or scientific evidence.”
Beshear’s move comes as congressional efforts to outlaw conversion therapy have failed, with Democrats leading the charge.
Democrats in both chambers of the state legislature have repeatedly proposed a statewide ban. Democratic Rep. Lisa Willner, a psychologist from Louisville, has seen various measures on the subject gain attention but not enough traction to pass.
Alice Forgy Kerr, a former Republican member of the state Senate from Lexington, attempted to introduce a measure prohibiting the practice several times while she was in office until 2022, but her proposals were never seriously considered.
A few cities have already approved local ordinances prohibiting conversion therapy, including Lexington, which became Kentucky’s third city to do so in 2021, following Covington and Louisville.
Rebecca Blankenship, executive director of Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky, welcomed Beshear’s upcoming action, stating Tuesday night, “This is five years too late, but better late than never.” Thank you, Governor Beshear, for making efforts to protect Kentucky’s children.
Though some have criticized Beshear for not being a strong enough ally of the LGBTQ community, he will be the first Kentucky governor to speak at a statewide LGBTQ rally in 2020. At that demonstration, he urged the legislature to approve a bill introduced by then-Rep. Forgy Kerr to prohibit the contentious therapeutic practice.
Similarly, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman has become increasingly open about her support for LGBTQ rights. Coleman spoke at this year’s Pride event on the Louisville waterfront. During the 2023 legislative session, when Republicans passed a bill prohibiting gender-affirming health care for transgender youth, Coleman slammed the policy, saying “Shame on any adult that would use our kids as pawns in their political game.”
Beshear also condemned the regulation, stating, “We are sitting at a time of great promise in Kentucky, but Kentucky cannot reach its full potential unless all people feel free to be themselves.”
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