Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear banned the use of conversion therapy on minors in Kentucky on Wednesday, calling his executive order a necessary step to protect children from a widely discredited practice that tries to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity through counseling.The governor took action using his executive powers after efforts to enact a law banning the practice repeatedly failed in the state's Republican-dominated legislature. Beshear signed the executive order during a statehouse ceremony attended by activists for LGBTQ+ rights.Lets be clear: conversion therapy has no basis in medicine or science, and it has been shown to increase rates of suicide and depression, Beshear said in a statement. "This is about doing what is right and protecting our children. Hate is not who we are as Kentuckians.The executive order signed by Beshear bans the practice and makes it illegal to use state or federal funds to provide the therapy on minors. It also gives the state's board of licensure the authority to take action against anyone found to have practiced conversion therapy on minors and gives the board the authority to bring disciplinary action against anyone found in violation of the order.Such therapy has been discredited and is opposed by, among others, the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association, citing research that shows it leads to increased risk of suicide and depression.At least 23 states and the District of Columbia prohibit the use of conversion therapy with minors, Beshear's office said.Chris Hartman, executive director of the Fairness Campaign, praised Beshear for taking "bold and necessary action to protect Kentuckys LGBTQ youth from the harmful practice of conversion therapy.Today, Gov. Beshear sends a crystal-clear message to all of Kentuckys LGBTQ kids and their families you are perfect as you are, Hartman said.Kentucky State Representative Lisa Willner of Louisville released the following statement in response to the executive order: Im very excited about todays executive order to ban conversion therapy in Kentucky! After working on this bipartisan legislation for the past six sessions, and as the only licensed mental health professional in the Kentucky General Assembly, Im feeling such relief that young Kentuckians will finally have protections in place from this discredited and too-often deadly practice. This is a great step forward for the safety and mental health of so many young Kentuckians. And while I wish we hadnt had to wait so long, Ill just say how appropriate it was for todays event to coincide with National Suicide Prevention Month!