Op-Ed: Lawmakers should ban discredited, ineffective, cruel therapy that increases suicide among youth

t’s a therapy that is discredited, ineffective, and often cruel, that can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, and even suicide. Yet, this practice – known as conversion or reparative therapy – still exists in the commonwealth today with a goal of changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Now, Kentucky lawmakers have an opportunity to protect our next generation from these degrading practices. Two bills have been introduced – the Youth Mental Health Protection Act, HB 12 by Representative Lisa Willner, and SB 137 by Senator Alice Forgy Kerr. Both bills would bar licensed mental health professionals – including physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers – from engaging in sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts for people under 18-years old.