Almost eight years later we did it, yall. We banned conversion therapy for minors in Kentucky.In September, Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order protecting LGBTQ+ young people from conversion therapy, making Kentucky the latest state to take a stand against this abusive and dangerous practice. As I stood there at the signing ceremony, surrounded by fellow advocates, survivors, and supporters, it felt like the culmination of years of hard work, heartache, and hope. This executive order wasnt just a piece of paper it was a lifeline. A declaration that LGBTQ+ young people in Kentucky are no longer invisible, and they will never again be subjected to the trauma of trying to fix who they are.As a proud queer man from Bullitt County, Kentucky, and a survivor of LGBTQ+ change efforts, this victory is deeply personal. Growing up, the messages I absorbed at school and in church taught me that my homosexual thoughts were not just wrong but sinful. Desperate to reconcile my faith with who I was, I sought out a Catholic priest on my own, hoping for support. Instead, I was told to confess and repent and for months, I returned to confession, hoping I could be fixed. Id sometimes pray upwards of 10 times per day begging God to rid me of these feelings.That experience left me trapped in a cycle of shame and guilt, scars Ive spent my adult life working to heal. Its those wounds that have fueled my fight to end this harmful practice, so no young person ever has to carry that same burden.Its why I founded Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky in 2017 as a young adult, which marked the beginning of a larger movement. This victory was the result of hundreds of people advocates, students, mental health professionals, and legislators joining together, united by a common goal. This is what grassroots advocacy looks like at its finest: building relationships, shifting hearts and minds, and working through setbacks, all while keeping the people we serve at the center of everything. Special thanks to our local partner, the Kentucky Fairness Campaign, for partnering with us every step of the way.The High Stakes of Heart: Why We Fought So HardConversion therapy isnt just dangerous its deadly. Research tells us that LGBTQ+ youth who experience this harmful practice are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide. Ive seen the devastating effects firsthand. Enduring change efforts in my own life deepened my understanding of the harm this practice inflicts. And now, in my role at The Trevor Project, as the Manager of State Advocacy and Conversion Therapy Campaigns, I hear from young people every day who are struggling, scared, and exhausted by the hate and rejection they face.But Kentucky just sent a powerful message: You matter. You are seen. And we will fight for you.There were moments when this fight felt impossible. But then something shifted. After a Baptist Sunday school teacher and longtime conservative state senator who had previously led the anti-LGBTQ rights movement in Kentucky watched Boy Erased, a movie about the harmful impact of conversion therapy, she was moved to action. As a mother of a gay son, her perspective changed, and she decided to sponsor the bill that would end this dangerous practice. Her commitment opened the floodgates; suddenly, Republicans began pouring in to support the cause.This momentum showed that the tide was indeed turning. Two veteran legislators shared that they received more emails and held more meetings about this issue than any other bill in their ten-plus years in office. By 2021, we had gained traction, attracting more bipartisan cosponsors than any other pro-LGBTQ+ bill in the nation. It was a testament to how change can transcend party lines when people come together with a shared purpose.Gratitude and GritThis movement has been defined by perseverance. Its taken nearly a decade of showing up over and over whether at rallies, coffee meetings, or legislative hearings. Each step along the way, the people I met gave me hope. The survivors who bravely told their stories. The legislators who listened. This wasnt just about passing policy it was about building a community rooted in love and justice.In 2019, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with The Trevor Project after working with them as a partner on local initiatives. That summer was transformative; it shaped me not just as an advocate but as a person. I learned that advocacy isnt solely about winning its about being with people through their struggles. Trevor equipped me with invaluable tools and support, encouraging me to dream bigger and envision a future where every LGBTQ+ young person is celebrated.Fast forward to 2024, and I am proud to be a manager on Trevors advocacy team, where I had the privilege of helping push the executive order banning conversion therapy over the finish line.A Lifeline for Our Youth: What This Executive Order MeansThis executive order is a promise to every young LGBTQ+ person in Kentucky: You belong here, just as you are. I know many LGBTQ+ youth feel like the world is stacked against you right now. I know the political climate feels toxic and overwhelming. But this victory shows that change is possible even in places where it seems out of reach.To everyone who has been part of this journey, thank you. To the organizers and volunteers who believed in this movement from day one: You made this happen. And to every young person watching, wondering if things will get better: They already are. The tide is turning, and we are winning in places people thought were unwinnable.Lets Keep This Momentum Going!This fight isnt over. Conversion therapy still occurs in too many places, and we have more work to do to enforce protections and ensure every child grows up knowing they are loved for exactly who they are. But today, we celebrate. Today, we honor the community that got us here.This victory shows the power of community, perseverance, and daring to dream big, even when the odds are stacked against you. Its about finding hope in one anotherthrough every setback, victory, and moment of doubt and knowing that together, we can create a future where love and justice always win.Lets keep building, believing, and fighting because every young person, no matter where they live, deserves to grow up knowing they are perfect just as they are.Sign up here to help us ban these dangerous practices in every state.Lets go. Weve got work to do.The post 8 Years of Advocacy: How We Made Strides in Banning Conversion Therapy in Kentucky appeared first on The Trevor Project.