FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear banned the use of “conversion therapy” on minors in Kentucky on Wednesday, calling 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.

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.

“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 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.

  • TimLovesTech (AuDHD)(he/him)@badatbeing.social
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    1 month ago

    The “counseling” being referenced above is abuse, not actual therapy. It’s someone brain washing a kid to make them think bad about themselves and “want” to “get better”. It’s everything the asshole fascists claim the drag queen story hour folks are doing, because like everything it’s all projection. The party of “family values” and “protect our kids” that wants to take away kids meals, healthcare, education, and if they don’t “act right” to ship them off to one of these torture camps to “straighten them out”.

    Good to see news like this with all the bad/hate the right is trying to impose on everyone constantly.