TL;DR
- Gov. Beshear condemns SCOTUS ruling on conversion therapy.
- He argues it’s torture, not free speech.
- Beshear has vetoed anti-LGBTQ legislation in Kentucky.
- He emphasizes the need for love and acceptance.
- The ruling endangers LGBTQ+ youth’s mental health.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is not mincing words when it comes to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors. In an exclusive interview with The Advocate, Beshear expressed his outrage, stating, “The Supreme Court is absolutely wrong. Torture is never free speech. It’s just torture.” His fiery response comes just hours after the Court’s 8-1 ruling in Chiles v. Salazar, which many fear will embolden harmful practices against LGBTQ+ youth.
Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, claimed that Colorado’s law was an infringement on free speech, allowing therapists to affirm a client’s identity but forbidding them from attempting to change a client’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Beshear, however, sees it differently. He believes that the ruling opens the door to a practice that has been widely condemned by the medical community as harmful and damaging.
In his impassioned remarks, Beshear highlighted the personal toll of such practices, recalling the tragic story of Henry Berg-Brosseau, a transgender activist who took his own life in December 2022. “We should always be in the suicide prevention business. Never in the suicide causing business,” he said, emphasizing the real human stakes involved. This sentiment resonates deeply, especially as Beshear has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in a state that often leans conservative.
Beshear’s history of standing up for the LGBTQ+ community is notable. He previously signed an executive order banning conversion therapy in Kentucky, which was unfortunately overridden by the Republican-dominated legislature. Despite knowing his vetoes of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation would be overridden, he remains steadfast. “If a legislature is going to show people hate, a governor’s there to show them love,” he declared, a mantra that reflects his commitment to acceptance and support for marginalized communities.
During the interview, Beshear also addressed the ongoing internal debate within the Democratic Party regarding how to communicate about trans rights. He firmly believes that standing up for LGBTQ+ rights is not only a moral obligation but also a political necessity. “We should always stand up for our convictions, and we should always push back against discrimination,” he stated, drawing on his Christian faith to reinforce his message of love and acceptance.
As the conversation shifted to the broader implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling, Beshear called for electoral action. He urged the LGBTQ+ community to run for office and emphasized the importance of electing representatives who oppose discrimination. “We have to create a check on the Trump presidency because right now Congress is not doing its job,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for political change.
Beshear’s remarks resonate beyond Kentucky, as advocates and survivors of conversion therapy also condemned the ruling. Jaymes Black, CEO of the Trevor Project, called it “a tragic step backward for our country that will put young lives at risk,” while Lambda Legal’s Carl Charles, a survivor himself, lamented the ruling as a legitimization of a practice that has caused lasting harm.
In a world where LGBTQ+ youth are already at a higher risk for suicide, the implications of this ruling are dire. According to The Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ youth who experience conversion therapy are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers. As Beshear continues to advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, his message is clear: love and acceptance must prevail over hate and discrimination.
As we navigate these turbulent times, Beshear’s unwavering stance serves as a beacon of hope for many, reminding us all that standing up for what is right is not just a political act, but a moral one. “I’m going to continue to stand with our LGBTQ+ community until everyone’s rights are recognized,” he vowed, leaving no doubt about his commitment to fighting for justice and equality.