Democratic Governor Andy Beshear
Signed Kentucky issued an executive order Thursday banning so-called “conversion therapy” on minors.
Thank goodness for the Republican Party, extremists are still allowed to dress up confused children as transvestites. Banning fertility drugs for sex offenders And irreversible genital mutilation is taking place in the state.
But medical and mental health professionals who are licensed or certified in the state are now effectively barred from helping children overcome gender dysphoria and embrace their bodies.
The executive order cites the Trevor Project as an authority on the issue, despite one of the radical activist groups' central claims being false, and, citing the Project, defines conversion therapy as follows:
Any practice, treatment, or intervention that seeks or has the purpose of changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behavior or gender expression, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions to individuals of the same sex.
This definition reflects a successful campaign by gender ideologues to link the treatment of gender identity disorder with efforts to discourage gay people from being gay.
Beshear failed.
tried to exercise veto When Republicans passed a bill last year banning sex-reassignment surgery for children, he said, “This is [EO] It is about protecting our youth from inhumane acts that harm them.”
“The president can't just issue an executive order and make it law.”
The wording of the executive order suggests that professionals who dare to help children overcome their delusions and accept the reality of their biological sex could lose their licenses.
However, Governor Beshear's order makes clear that affirming a confused minor's “gender identity” and facilitating the minor's “identity exploration and development” is permissible, as is “any practice, treatment, or intervention that assists an individual who wishes to transition or is in the process of transitioning.”
Governor Beshear has directed state agencies to submit reports of non-compliant professionals to their respective certification or licensing boards for consideration for possible disciplinary action.
The Governor appears intent on pressuring agencies beyond his reach to comply, urging all professional certification or licensing boards, departments, and autonomous agencies in the state that do not fall under his oversight to “consider and implement all options to prohibit the practice of conversion therapy on minors and referrals of minors for conversion therapy.”
The order also makes it unlawful to use state or federal funds “to conduct conversion therapy on a minor, to refer a minor for conversion therapy, or to extend health insurance coverage for conversion therapy on a minor.”
Chris Hartman, director of the LGBT activist group Fairness Campaign,
said “Today, Governor Beshear sends a crystal clear message to all of Kentucky's LGBTQ children and their families that you are perfect just the way you are,” the statement read, apparently missing the irony that the order prohibits professionals from helping children accept their physical reality.
“This executive order will chill and stigmatize Christian counseling in the midst of Kentucky's mental health crisis.”
Richard Nelson, executive director of the Commonwealth Policy Center,
said The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that the failure of the Kentucky General Assembly to approve the ban is evidence that Governor Beshear should not unilaterally enact it.
“States have tried the legislative route, which is a means of creating state law and public policy, but it has not been approved by the legislature. There's a reason for that,” Nelson said, adding that the ban could violate First Amendment rights.
Conservative lawyer Chris Wiest suggested to the Herald-Leader that this amounted to political theater.
“The governor can't just issue an executive order and make it law. This is Constitutional Law 101 and, frankly, I think the governor knows it,” Wiest said. “The governor's not stupid, but he's here to grab headlines and get his supporters excited.”
Republican State Rep. Josh Callaway
Tweeted“why [Andy Beshear] Are you going to continue to disrupt vulnerable children? I will fight this with all my heart and soul.”
“Leave the kids alone!” Callaway added.
“This executive order, similar to those held to be unconstitutional, could have a chilling effect on Christian counseling and infringe on religious freedom…. I believe this is[w]Please give it a try!”
Tweeted State Senator Robbie Mills (R).
“Parents have a right to raise their children in a manner based on Biblical standards and to help their children receive faith-based counseling. This executive order will chill and stigmatize Christian counseling in the midst of a mental health crisis in Kentucky,” Mills added.
Matt Sharp, senior adviser at the Alliance Defending Freedom, said: said The Washington Post states, “The government does not have the power to censor private conversations between clients and counselors, and counselors should not be used as tools to impose the government's biased views on clients.”
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