Kentucky Governor Takes Step to Ban ‘Conversion Therapy’ for Children

Therapy that aims to convince children they are not gay or transgender is now closer to being banned in Kentucky, after Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order on Sept. 18.

The order says that any state agency that finds a provider is providing “conversion therapy” to children shall report that provider to their certification or licensing board for potential disciplinary action.
It also bars the use of state funds for such therapy, directs the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and its offices to update materials to reflect the change, and tells other agencies under the supervision of the governor to “explore what further actions they can lawfully take to protect minors from the practice of conversion therapy.”

Beshear’s order also encourages certification and licensing boards outside the government to explore banning the therapy, which is defined as “any practice, treatment, or intervention that seeks or purports to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender.”

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