Lexington’s General Government and Social Services Committee has given preliminary approval to a LGBTQ Youth Mental Health Protection Ordinance. If adopted, the new law would ban conversion therapy for minors in Lexington.
The controversial therapy attempts to convert LGBTQ individuals to heterosexual. If the ordinance receives full council approval, complaints would come before the Fayette County Human Rights Commission. Commission Executive Director Ray Sexton said violating counselors could face fines. “After we present our case and the other side presents their case, the hearing examiner can then decide whether or not this illegal conversion therapy took place,” said Sexton.
Committee members were told the ordinance would pertain only to state licensed providers. Council Member Fred Brown asked how the city could legislate counseling and what role parents might play in these cases. “Everything that was presented was one side. I didn’t see anything that alluded to anybody saying conversion therapy was ok in their mind. And I don’t know if we reached out to the community, but maybe through this committee meeting and what we’ve done we’re at least giving some time for the community to react,” said Brown.
Brown said he agrees with the primary objective of protecting minors. Community Outreach LGBTQ Liaison Craig Cammack told the panel it’s been scientifically shown conversion therapy is unlikely to reduce same-sex attractions. He said a San Francisco State University study revealed conversion therapy participants are almost six times more likely to report high levels of depression and more than three times more likely to use illegal drugs. Cammack said two Kentucky cities, Louisville and Covington, have approved such conversion therapy bans. He noted 20 states have similar laws. Cammack added there are some seven conversion therapy providers in Lexington.
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