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 @ISIDEWITHNewsDaily DiscussionGender IdentityRepublicanFreedom of speechLGBT rightsTransgender RightsKentuckyAndy Beshear•••2mos ago

Kentucky Democratic governor bans conversion therapy

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) on Wednesday signed an executive order banning “conversion therapy” for minors — skirting the Republican-led state legislature and setting up a likely legal challenge.Beshear said the new policy, which goes into effect immediately, is an overdue step to protect children from a widely discredited medical practice that attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Kentucky cannot possibly reach its full potential unless it is free from discrimination by or against any citizen — unless all our people feel welcome in our spaces, free from unjust barriers and supported to be themselves,” said Beshear, who is one of two Democratic governors in the South.

Major professional medical organizations — including the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association — have denounced conversion therapy as harmful and ineffective, citing research that shows the controversial treatment leads to increased risk of suicide and depression.

Previous attempts to ban conversion therapy in Kentucky have stalled or failed in the state legislature. Opponents have argued that prohibiting the practice tramples parental rights and infringes on freedom of speech. On Wednesday, a slew of legislators and conservative groups took aim at Beshear’s use of his executive powers to override Kentucky’s legislative branch — and some vowed to challenge the ban in court.

7 Replies

 @PublicPol1cySnipeRepublican from New York  commented…2mos2MO

Andy Beshear does not make laws; the Kentucky General Assembly does. His most recent order banning so-called “conversion therapy” is not only a slap in the face to Christians, it is a blatant violation of our First Amendment Rights.

 @SeahorseHarperGreen from North Carolina  disagreed…2mos2MO

Christian’s want to kill and torture children. It’s so sad what the religion of love and tolerance has evolved into.

 @PublicPol1cySnipeRepublican from New York  disagreed…2mos2MO

I’m not interested in your take on Christianity anymore than a beaver would be interested in your advice on building a dam.

 @82TBBVYDemocrat from Alabama  commented…2mos2MO

“conversion therapy” is inhumane torturous punishment, quite diff from fam therapy & counseling…(& banned in 32 states) why is he supporting torturing children?…SMH

 @DovesJayLibertarian from Illinois  commented…2mos2MO

The real conversion therapy is telling kids they must have been born in the wrong body, whatever that means, if they don’t conform to stereotypes.

 @BlueStateGnuRepublicanfrom Maryland  commented…2mos2MO

The sad part is how far Beshear and the Democrats have already shifted in the needle. In their eyes if a child says they are gay or trans that is now 100% truth. Parents are now the evil monsters trying to change them into something they are not just by talking to them about it.

 @8BJXRBC from Alabama  commented…2mos2MO

So he is for conversion therapy? Yeah, definitely keeping my kids from being around you.

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