FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., banned the use of “conversion therapy” on minors in Kentucky on Wednesday, calling his executive order an overdue step to protect children from a widely discredited practice that tries to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity through counseling.

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., is banning the use of “conversion therapy” on minors in Kentucky

  • He signed an executive order Sept. 18 

  • The governor called it a "necessary step" to protect children from a discredited practice that tries to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity through counseling

  • The order bans the practice and makes it illegal to use state or federal funds to provide the therapy on minors

"This is something that we don't even have to cast in terms of gender," Beshear said. "It's something that is harming our children. It is a practice that is causing them to take their own lives. That means it's something we should not do and cannot allow to happen." 

The governor took action using his executive powers after efforts to enact a state law banning the practice repeatedly failed in the state's Republican-dominated legislature.

“My faith teaches me that all children are children of God," Beshear said during the signing ceremony at the Kentucky Statehouse. "And where practices are endangering and even harming those children, we must act. The practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ hurts our children.”

Eric Russ, executive director of the Kentucky Psychological Association, said conversion therapy is happening in Kentucky right now, and this order will stop it.

"These kinds of treatments don't work, and in fact, they make kids worse," Russ said. "So when kids undergo these sorts of treatments, they come out more anxious, more depressed, often with suicidality. Unfortunately, some of them die by suicide." 

As Beshear prepared to sign the order, someone shouted his opposition, saying “this is a denial of affirmation therapy.” Activists for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights drowned out the protester with cheers.

The Family Foundation, a socially conservative group based in Kentucky, denounced Beshear's action, saying it tramples on the rights of parents and suppresses religious expression.

“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,” David Walls, the group's executive director, said in a statement.

State Rep. Josh Calloway, R-Irvington, also opposed Beshear's deicsion. He also criticized the American Medical Association and other organizations for their opposition to allowing conversion therapy.

“They’re some of the same organizations that told us lies about (COVID-19), about so many different things," Calloway said. "What we have to understand is the truth always works. Stick with the truth; God has outlined the truth in his word. If people reject it, that's fine, but you cannot take away the ability to speak the truth." 

Anticipating such attacks, Beshear said his action “does not force an ideology on anybody.”

"It simply stops a so-called ‘therapy’ that the medical community says is wrong and hurts our children,” the governor said.

Kentucky's Senate Majority Caucus released a statement after Beshear's decision. It said, “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 statement said the following members condemned 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

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.

Nearly half the states and the District of Columbia prohibit the use of conversion therapy with minors, Beshear's office said.

Chris Hartman, executive director of the Fairness Campaign, a Kentucky-based LGBTQ+ advocacy group, praised Beshear for taking bold action to protect Kentucky’s LGBTQ+ youth from what he called the harmful practice of conversion therapy. He said the governor's action sent a clear message to Kentucky’s LGBTQ+ kids and their families: that "you are perfect as you are.”

Calloway said he plans to challenge Beshear’s order in the legislature next year. Attempts by lawmakers in the state to ban conversion therapy has failed for the last several years.

A bill filed this year did see at least some bipartisan support, with two northern Kentucky Republicans signing on as cosponsors to the measure

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