Exploring Andy Beshear's Efforts Against Conversion Therapy in Kentucky

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has taken a significant step in the fight against conversion therapy by issuing an executive order aimed at banning the practice in his state. This move came amidst a controversial political backdrop in which state Republicans opposed a legislative ban on conversion therapy, a practice widely criticized as harmful and pseudoscientific.

Governor Beshear's executive order, issued in September 2024, explicitly prohibits the use of state or federal funds for providing conversion therapy to minors. The order also empowers state licensing boards to take disciplinary actions against practitioners who engage in this practice on minors. Beshear emphasized the harmful effects of conversion therapy, stating, "Conversion therapy has no basis in medicine or science, and it can cause significant long-term harm to our kids, including increased rates of suicide and depression. This is about protecting our youth from an inhumane practice that hurts them."

Support and Opposition

The executive order was praised by several organizations, including the Kentucky Mental Health Coalition, the Kentucky Psychological Association, and the National Association of Social Workers Kentucky chapter. Brenda Rosen, Executive Director of NASW-KY, described conversion therapy as "nothing more than physical, mental, and emotional torture." Additionally, the Fairness Campaign, Kentucky's leading LGBTQ+ advocacy group, supported Beshear's action.

However, the executive order faced swift opposition from Republican lawmakers in Kentucky. In March 2025, state legislators passed a bill overturning Beshear’s order. The bill, led by state Rep. David Hale, was defended as a measure to protect counselors, therapists, and pastors from government discrimination. Hale argued that the bill would safeguard the rights of parents to seek therapy that would relieve their children of "discomfort or distress" related to romantic or sexual attraction.

Conversion Therapy and the Supreme Court

Beshear's efforts in Kentucky are part of a larger national debate over conversion therapy. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case, Chiles v. Salazar, which could potentially affect similar bans on conversion therapy for minors across 23 states. This case, brought by the Alliance Defending Freedom, challenges Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy as a violation of free speech rights.

Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign, commented on the Supreme Court's decision to hear the case, stating, "The Supreme Court’s decision to take up this case isn’t just about so-called ‘conversion therapy’ – it’s about whether extremists can use our courts to push their dangerous agenda, in an effort to erase LGBTQ+ people and gut protections that keep our kids safe."

The Implications for LGBTQ+ Youth

The Trevor Project reports that over 1,320 conversion therapists are still active across the United States, including in states with bans. The potential overturning of these bans by the Supreme Court could have dire consequences for LGBTQ+ youth, who are more vulnerable to the mental health risks associated with conversion therapy.

Numerous studies and major medical associations have denounced conversion therapy as ineffective and harmful, increasing the mental distress and suicidal ideation among those subjected to it. Despite the legal challenges, some states may continue to oppose conversion therapy through regulatory business statutes that prohibit false advertising, given that conversion therapy offers no real cure and is condemned by all major medical and psychological associations.

Governor Beshear's Pro-LGBTQ+ Stances

Governor Beshear has consistently advocated for LGBTQ+ rights. He was the first sitting governor of Kentucky to participate in the Statewide Fairness Rally, and in 2021, he declared June as Pride Month for the first time in the state's history. His attempts to veto anti-LGBTQ+ legislation have been overridden by Republican supermajorities, but his stance remains clear.

As the legal battle over conversion therapy continues, the focus remains on protecting LGBTQ+ youth from practices that threaten their well-being and ensuring that all individuals have the freedom to explore their identities without fear of discrimination or harm.