In a significant move towards protecting the rights and well-being of LGBTQ youth, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has signed an executive order banning the widely discredited practice of conversion therapy on minors. With this order, Kentucky becomes the 24th state to take a stand against the harmful mental health treatment that aims to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ individuals.

The executive order, which went into effect immediately upon being signed, reflects the commitment of Kentucky to ensure equality and inclusivity for all its citizens. Governor Beshear, a Democrat, emphasized the importance of eradicating discrimination and providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone in the state. He noted that conversion therapy lacks any scientific or medical basis and can have detrimental long-term effects on young individuals, including higher rates of depression and suicide.

Various LGBTQ advocacy groups have long denounced conversion therapy, supported by research indicating the increased risks it poses to mental health. A 2023 survey conducted by The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to preventing suicide among LGBTQ youth, found that up to 15% of queer Americans aged 13 to 24 had either experienced or been threatened with conversion therapy. Alarmingly, the same survey revealed that 54% of LGBTQ youths who attempted suicide had been subjected to or threatened with conversion therapy.

The signing of the ban on conversion therapy by Governor Beshear has been met with praise from LGBTQ advocates, including The Trevor Project. Tanner Mobley, the manager of state advocacy and conversion therapy campaigns at The Trevor Project, expressed his appreciation for the governor's action in protecting LGBTQ+ young people from this abusive practice. Mobley, a proud queer individual who grew up in Kentucky, emphasized that conversion therapy has caused immense harm and is an issue that needs to be addressed across the Commonwealth.

Beshear's executive order comes at a time when a record-breaking number of anti-LGBTQ bills are being introduced in state legislatures nationwide. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, lawmakers have considered a staggering 530 anti-LGBTQ measures this year alone. Against this backdrop, the move by Kentucky to ban conversion therapy highlights the state's commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of its LGBTQ citizens.

By joining the ranks of states that have already banned conversion therapy on minors, Kentucky takes a significant step towards protecting vulnerable LGBTQ youth from the detrimental effects of this debunked and harmful practice. As more states recognize the need to prioritize the mental health and well-being of their LGBTQ communities, advocates hope that this momentum will continue to drive nationwide change and ultimate eradication of conversion therapy.