Gov. Beshear signs executive order banning 'conversion therapy' in Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order Wednesday banning the use of conversion therapy on minors in Kentucky.

Beshear called his executive order a necessary step to protect children from a widely discredited practice that tries to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity through counseling.

"Let's be clear: conversion therapy has no basis in medicine or science, and it has been shown to increase rates of suicide and depression," Beshear said in a statement. "This is about doing what is right and protecting our children. Hate is not who we are as Kentuckians."

The governor took action using his executive powers after efforts to enact a law banning the practice repeatedly failed in the state's Republican-dominated legislature. Beshear signed the executive order during a statehouse ceremony attended by activists for LGBTQ+ rights.

State Rep. Lisa Willner, D-Louisville, introduced House Bill 162 in February 2023, which would prohibit all licensed mental health providers from engaging in any practices that purport to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity.

Willner, who said she is the only licensed mental health professional in the Kentucky General Assembly, released a statement after the signing.

"I'm feeling such relief that young Kentuckians will finally have protections in place from this discredited and too-often deadly practice," Willner said. "This is a great step forward for the safety and mental health of so many young Kentuckians."

The Family Foundation has strongly advocated against "conversion therapy" bans in the General Assembly multiple times including arguments that the bans "attack religious freedom."

The foundation's executive director, David Walls, said Beshear's executive order is an "unlawful action that will hurt children, trample the fundamental rights of Kentucky parents and suppress free religious expression."

Walls said, "This order, like previous failed legislative efforts, is designed to promote false LGBTQ ideologies and muzzle Christian counselors, therapists, and pastors from helping children struggling with sexual orientation or gender identity confusion."

He continued, "Kentucky parents and their children should be free to seek the faith-based counseling on sexuality and identity issues that they need. The Christian message on sexuality and human dignity is not harmful, it is life-bringing."

Walls called the executive order disappointing and concerning.

"Our real concern is, this is designed to silence those who disagree with the LGBTQ ideology and agenda," said Walls.

Bills to ban conversion therapy in Kentucky have been introduced in the past, and Louisville officially banned conversion therapy on minors in 2020.

The executive order signed by Beshear bans the practice and makes it illegal to use state or federal funds to provide the therapy on minors. It also gives the state's board of licensure the authority to take action against anyone found to have practiced conversion therapy on minors and gives the board the authority to bring disciplinary action against anyone found in violation of the order.

Such therapy has been discredited and is opposed by, among others, the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association, citing research that shows it leads to increased risk of suicide and depression.

Chris Hartman, executive director of the Fairness Campaign, praised Beshear for taking "bold and necessary action to protect Kentucky’s LGBTQ youth from the harmful practice of conversion therapy.”

"Today Gov. Beshear sends a crystal-clear message to all of Kentucky's LGBTQ kids and their families – you are perfect as you are," Hartman said.

Louisvillian Zach Meiners said he was in conversion therapy from the time he was 14 years old until he was 18 years old.

"I'm very thankful to be a survivor of conversion therapy, because a lot of people have not survived it," he said. "... I feel very lucky to be on the other side of it despite all the harmful effects that it had on me for many, many years and still has had on me some."

Meiners stood behind Beshear on Wednesday as the governor signed the executive order. Meiners called the day a "culmination of a lot of hard work."

Hartman said he believes this action from the governor will "save countless Kentucky kids' lives."

Just before signing the executive order, Beshear said Kentucky can't reach its full potential unless everyone is supported to be their "true selves."

At least 23 states and the District of Columbia prohibit the use of conversion therapy with minors, Beshear's office said.

Beshear said he still hopes to get legislation passed by the General Assembly on this topic but said Wednesday, he's "not going to wait any longer."

Kentucky senators released this statement in response:

“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.”

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