Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear banned the use of “conversion therapy” on minors in Kentucky on Wednesday, calling his executive order an overdue step to protect children from a widely discredited practice that tries to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity through counseling.

The governor took action using his executive powers after efforts to enact a state law banning the practice repeatedly failed in the state’s Republican-dominated legislature.

“My faith teaches me that all children are children of God,” Beshear said during the signing ceremony at the Kentucky Statehouse. “And where practices are endangering and even harming those children, we must act. The practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy’ hurts our children.”

  • yo_scottie_oh@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    2 months ago

    Keep in mind that executive orders can be easily rolled back by the next chief executive without going through the legislature. Executive orders are a tool that can be used for good, as in this case, but it’s just something to keep in mind.