Gov. Andy Beshear has officially banned conversion therapy in Kentucky.
The Democrat signed an executive order blocking the discredited practice Wednesday morning in Frankfort surrounded by mental health and LGBTQ+ advocates, along with some lawmakers who have tried to pass legislation banning it.
Beshear’s executive order specifically prohibits state or federal funds from going to conversion therapy for minors, along with allowing licensing boards to discipline medical professionals who are found to use the practice.
“Kentucky cannot possibly reach its full potential unless it is free from discrimination by or against any citizen – unless all our people feel welcome in our spaces, free from unjust barriers and supported to be themselves,” Beshear said in a press release “This is about protecting our youth from an inhumane practice that hurts them.”
Kentucky joins around two dozen states that block conversion therapy on minors in some capacity.
Even before officially signing the executive order, Beshear faced criticism from some Republicans for the move, including questions of if the governor can legally do this.
Over the past few years, there have been multiple bills filed in Frankfort hoping to ban conversion therapy. They ultimately didn’t go anywhere, despite at times having bipartisan support and more than two dozen co-sponsors.
Louisville Democrat Rep. Lisa Willner, the only licensed mental health professional in Kentucky’s statehouse who has backed legislation to end conversion therapy for years, said in a statement she is “feeling such relief that young Kentuckians will finally have protections in place from this discredited and too-often deadly practice.”
“And while I wish we hadn’t had to wait so long, I’ll just say how appropriate it was for today’s event to coincide with National Suicide Prevention Month,” Willner continued.
Before Wednesday’s move, three Kentucky cities had banned the practice in recent years: Covington, Louisville and Lexington.
Chris Hartman, the leader of the Fairness Campaign, commended Beshear for his “bold and necessary action.
“Today Gov. Beshear sends a crystal-clear message to all of Kentucky’s LGBTQ kids and their families – you are perfect as you are.”
