Kentucky governor bans conversion therapy statewide

Kentucky’s Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, signed an executive order on Wednesday barring mental health professionals from attempting to counsel minors out of a chosen gender identity or same-sex attraction. So-called conversion therapy hurts children and has no basis in medicine or science, Beshear said before signing the measure at the state’s capitol. The order also prohibits organizations that practice such therapy from receiving state or federal funding. Kentucky joined 23 other states plus the District of Columbia in banning this type of therapy for minors.

How does the order define “conversion therapy?”? The measure stated treatments that support or remain neutral on a patient’s sexual attractions are not considered to be conversion therapy. The order also clarified counseling that assists a patient in seeking or undergoing sex surgery or hormone treatments is also not considered conversion therapy. Conversely, providers who seek to provide Biblical counseling to minors in the form of abstaining from the practice of expressing same-sex attraction, or of embracing their biological sex over their so-called gender identity, are defined by the measure as engaging in conversion therapy. The measure prohibits healthcare providers from referring minors to such Biblical counselors, even if the provider does not conduct the sessions themselves. Such action would constitute unprofessional conduct and trigger disciplinary action from the appropriate professional certification or licensing board, according to the measure.

Dig deeper: Read my report about the U.S. Supreme Court refusing to hear a case that challenged a conversion therapy ban in Washington state.