3 Bills Aiming To Boost LGBTQ Rights In Kentucky

Kentucky State Representative Lisa Willner has taken action against the recent wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation by introducing three bills that aim to improve the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.

The trio of bills aimed at boosting LGBTQ rights would allow for these things:

• One bill aims to prohibit licensed mental health professionals from offering “conversion therapy” to people under 18
• One hopes to stop discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the housing, employment, and public accommodations
• Another seeks to require public schools to teach inclusive “healthy relationship” instruction that includes affirming information about sexual orientation and gender identity, teaches students how to spot abuse, and provides them with information about safe sex practices and the benefits of abstinence

Willner’s Proposed Law To Ban “Conversion Therapies”

Ever since the early 20th century, in several countries, people have tried to use “conversion therapies” to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ+ people.

The “conversion therapies” have had different uses, including as a treatment for cases of mental illness, as an attempt to “cure” homosexuality, and as efforts at religious conversion.

The “conversion therapies” that are out there today can cause negative health effects like depression and anxiety.

The American Psychiatric Association, one of the leading medical institutions on mental illness, has urged clinicians to avoid “conversion therapies”.

Rep. Lisa Willner will reintroduce a proposed ban on “conversion therapy,” which will prevent licensed mental health professionals in Kentucky from trying to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity under 18 years old.

The Need For Inclusive And LGBTQ-Affirming Sex Education In School

Students need to be educated on sex and sexual health however, many schools are still using a curriculum that is outdated and does not include the needs of all students, especially LGBTQ students.

So Rep. Willner also pre-filed a bill that would only allow inclusive sex education in schools and school curriculums.

State Rep. Lisa Willner (photo from Twitter/@lgwillner)

It would require public schools to teach inclusive instruction providing students with affirming information about sexual orientation and gender identity, safe sex practices, the benefits of abstinence, and how to recognize abuse.

This bill would ensure that every student has access to comprehensive sex educational resources for them to make healthy decisions about their bodies, identities, and relationships with others.

The Nondiscrimination Bill

We need laws to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination.

Willner’s bill would ensure that a house, a job, and public accommodation are not denied based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

This is about making sure everyone has equal rights in our society and can be treated with dignity.

The Chances To Be Approved

The bills introduced by Rep. Willner will go a long way in ensuring equal rights and protections under the law for all members of our community and make Kentucky an even better place to live, work, or just exist as your authentic self.

But let’s be honest, these bills will need to be supported by a majority of Republicans to become laws.

The chance to make them happen will come early next year when legislators return for their legislative session. Stay tuned!