MEDIA ALERT
September 20, 2024
Contact: Richard Nelson (270) 719-1640 / richard@commonwealthpolicy.org
Remarks from Richard Nelson at CPC Press Conference
(Frankfort, KY)
“Thank you all for joining CPC and several concerned citizens that will respond to Governor Andy Beshear’s executive order banning conversion therapy. I’m Richard Nelson, Founder and Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center. On Wednesday, Gov. Beshear roundly condemned ‘anyone who changes the sexual orientation of a minor.’ He ordered that ‘The Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall take all actions necessary to prohibit the direct or indirect use of state and federal funds for the practice of conversion therapy on minors, referring a minor for conversion therapy, or extending health benefits coverage for conversion therapy with a minor.’
“Gov. Beshear also directed state agencies that discover or receive reports that licensed or certified counselors are engaging in conversion therapy efforts with minors ‘shall report that provider to the appropriate professional certification or licensing board within the Commonwealth for potential disciplinary action.’
“It’s important to clarify and define conversion therapy. Traditionally, it has been known a controversial technique where counselors employ abusive physical and shame-based practices to force change on those struggling with various sexual orientations.
“We can all agree that that is wrong and should be condemned. However, this executive order goes far beyond that and says anyone who tries to change a child’s sexual orientation is in the wrong and should be punished. The order prescribes that counselors can affirm a minor’s homosexual or transgender sexual identity, but they cannot counsel a minor who desires to change their orientation to a heterosexual identity. We believe this is morally wrong and ultimately hurts minors who desire change. It is wrong for the governor to prohibit and punish certified counselors for simply helping their struggling minor clients who seek change. Daniel Mingo and Jonathan Bennett will speak from the perspective of counselors who help families and individuals navigate life and human sexuality from a biblical worldview.
“A few questions are in order. When did it become OK for the government to rally around the supposed sexual identity of children? When did it become OK for the governor to interfere with the rights of parents to seek counsel to help their children onto a better path in life that they believe leads to flourishing? And for the minors struggling with their sexuality identity and who desire to change, why would the governor shut the door on them and refuse them help from counselors?
“We have a process for changing public policy in our commonwealth, and an executive order is not part of that process. The state legislature is charged this. State Rep. Josh Calloway will speak more on this.
“We agree that every human being is an image bearer and has incredible value and worth. We also agree with the Governor that we should love our neighbors as ourselves. Where we disagree is what this means, especially as it relates to human sexuality and the ability of Christian parents and counselors to guide minors onto a path they believe is healthy and moral. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Dean of Theology Hershael York will speak on what it means to be made in the image of God and to love our neighbor.
“While we should be compassionate towards minors struggling with gender dysphoria and confused sexual orientations, we should also be concerned with wholesale government restrictions that prohibits certain speech and prevents minors from getting the help that they and their parents seek. Several other concerns abound including constitutional rights.
“The executive order violates First Amendment protections of freedom of speech and freedom of religion for biblical counselors. It also violates Section 5 A of the Kentucky Constitution, which protects ‘religious tenet, dogma or teaching’ and forbids [any] ‘human authority… [to] control or interfere with the rights of conscience.’ (TJ Roberts, attorney will speak on constitutional concerns.)
“We can all agree that children should not be subjected to harmful techniques and shame-based approaches. But the executive order is an ill-conceived violation of the separation of powers and constitutionally indefensible. We are calling on the state legislature—the entity responsible for making public policy for us— to take action in the 2025 General Assembly session. Thank you.
“Please let me introduce next, Jonathan Bennett. He resides in Lawrenceburg, where he’s an Associate Pastor at Farmdale Baptist Church and is a counselor certified by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).”
Other speakers included:
Jonathan Bennett – Biblical Counselor
Hershael York – SBTS Dean
Daniel Mingo – Lay Counselor
TJ Roberts – Attorney
State Rep. Josh Calloway