Overriding a veto from Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear, Kentucky lawmakers invalidated an executive order banning so-called “conversion therapy” for minors while making hormone therapy and transgender surgery coverage through Medicaid illegal.
Beshear signed an executive order in September 2024 barring certified or licensed practitioners from providing such counseling to minors. Practitioners could no longer help patients seeking to embrace their biological sex or “eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender” under the order. State agencies were required to report any accounts of noncompliance to “the appropriate professional certification or licensing board within the Commonwealth for potential disciplinary action.”
In February, House Bill 495, primarily sponsored by Republican Rep. David Hale, was introduced. The bill protects practitioners by nullifying the executive order, legalizing such counseling for people with unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria, and adding a new ban on Medicaid paying for transgender procedures and hormone therapy.
After its passage, Beshear vetoed the measure on March 22. Beshear stated that conversion therapy has “no basis in medicine or science and causes significant long-term damage to our kids” and that the bill is “unconstitutional” and “promotes dangerous and discriminatory practice.”
However, the veto was nullified by the Kentucky General Assembly. The Kentucky House overruled the veto with a 78-20 vote along party lines. With a 31-6 vote, the state Senate also voted to override the veto. One Democrat, Sen. Robin Webb, voted in favor of the bill. The GOP holds 31 of 38 Senate seats while holding 80 of 100 House seats. The vote guarantees the bill will immediately become a law since it has an emergency clause.
The Family Foundation, a Christian policy organization defending Biblical values and fighting for Kentucky families, responded to the ruling.
“Win for free speech, religious liberty and for fiscal and moral sanity!” the organization posted on X. “Gov. Beshear’s veto on HB 495 has been overridden by both chambers. KY counselors and pastors can once again share the truth about God’s design for gender and sexuality. And our tax dollars will no longer pay for gender mutilation via Medicaid.”
Such “conversion therapy” bans are in effect in 23 states. In one of those states, Colorado, Kaley Chiles, a Christian therapist, is fighting for her right to help patients struggling with gender identity and unwanted sexual desires. Chile filed a petition with the Supreme Court after she lost an appeal at the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The high court will hear her case later this year.
Decision Magazine, founded by Billy Graham in 1960, works through its website and monthly magazine to communicate the Gospel, as well as inform and challenge readers about key cultural and Biblical issues.
Editor’s Note: ‘Conversation Therapy Bans Are A Trojan’
By design, to the unsaved world, the words “conversation therapy ban” bring to mind shock therapies and other disturbing images—which have long been contrary to the law. However, Christians recognize that the intention behind these bans is just as the name suggests: placing a legal roadblock in the way of sharing the Gospel and Biblical truth with those who desire to leave the homosexual lifestyle and embrace God’s design.
In Canada, the “conversation therapy ban,” which passed without a single vote in opposition, placed a law on the books which effectively outlaws the teaching of Biblical sexuality, referring to such teachings a “myth.” Similar laws have been passed in many Western societies and US states. While many argued that the bans had no intention of targeting Christians, Matthew Grech in Malta became the first Christian to face criminal charges of “conversion therapy” in 2023. Grech is facing up to five years in prison for simply sharing his testimony on a radio program describing how he left homosexuality and became a follower of Jesus.
Ken Ham, the Founder and CEO of Answers In Genesis and the Ark Encounter, based in Kentucky, has long warned that conversation therapy bans are a trojan horse seeking to target the freedoms of Christians.
“For years, conservative politicians and Christian commentators (including me) have been saying these ‘conversion therapy bans’ are ‘Trojan horses’ that pave the way for the bridling of free speech and the criminalization of those who believe and act on biblical principles,” Ham highlighted.
“As believers, we must be prepared to continue sharing biblical truth regardless of what the culture around us says or threatens,” he urged. “Teaching God’s Word is not abusive or dangerous—the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). It is the gospel and the truth of God’s Word, with the power of the Holy Spirit, that free us from our slavery to sin (Romans 6:6) and makes us a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).”
“The time is coming when speaking biblical truth regarding sexuality will be illegal,” he warned. “But we must love people enough to continue to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3), making disciples (Matthew 28:19), as we do the King’s business until he returns (Luke 19:13). Are we courageous enough to boldly state as Peter and the apostles did: ‘We must obey God rather than men’ (Acts 5:29)?”
