Walz signs order restricting gay conversion therapy for youth. Here's what it does.

Jul. 15—Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday signed an executive order that seeks to stifle the practice know as gay "conversion therapy" for youth.

The uncommon and controversial practice that generally seeks to deny gay and trans people the desire to be themselves has been widely panned by the health care community and has been in the sights of LGBTQ advocates and Democrats for years.

Contrary to initial reporting, Walz's unilateral order is not a true "ban," but a new set of restrictions that, in the words of one supportive lawmaker, "may have the effect of barring access to conversion therapy." That lawmaker, Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, and Walz both acknowledged that only way to ban the practice outright is for the Legislature to pass a law doing so — a proposition that Republicans have blocked.

In 2019, the Democratic-controlled House approved a ban, but it was narrowly defeated in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Flanked by advocates and in front of a pride flag that joined the other banners in the Governor's Reception room of the Capitol, Walz said the action was intended to send a message to youth who are discovering, or may be struggling with, their own gender or sexual identity.

"There's someone out there today, a young person ... trying to understand who they really are, and I hope they understand: We see you, we hear you and we welcome you for who you really are."

It wasn't clear Thursday how much Walz's order — signed days before this weekend's Twin Cities Pride Festival in Minneapolis — would practically accomplish.

WHAT THE ORDER DOES

According to the order:

— The Minnesota Departments of Health and Commerce will change rules, when necessary, restrict coverage of conversion therapy and request statements from health insurers that they won't cover the practice.

— Similarly, the Department of Human Services will not pay for conversion therapies. It's unclear how much the practice is actually paid for by state programs or covered by health plans currently, but Walz said that when it is, it's often because it's unclear to insurers that what's being reimbursed is some form of conversation therapy.

— The Department of Human Rights will go after health care providers who engage in discrimination related to conversion therapy — a wide-ranging order that could put conversion therapy providers in the crosshairs of the agency.

— The Department of Health will prepare a report on the public health impacts of conversion therapy. The problems associated with the practice are already widely known, as the practice on youth has been rejected by American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and National Education Association, among other groups.

Every aspect of his order, Walz acknowledged, could be undone by a future governor.

REACTIONS

In the past, conservatives have argued that banning conversion therapy — which has been given many euphemisms — would deny people the right to a treatment they voluntarily choose. However, the situation is trickier in the case of minors. Republicans have also argued that a ban could infringe on religious freedom, as some conversion therapies — or practices that verge on conversion — are organized in churches.

Republican leaders in the House and Senate declined to comment on Walz's action Thursday.

The Minnesota Family Council, which has organized against issues such as gay marriage in the past, called Walz's order executive overreach.

"This executive order will not end so-called 'conversion therapy,' since professional standards in mental health care already did that years ago. Instead, this will ban young people experiencing unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria from getting the voluntary, compassionate care they need," John Helmberger, CEO of Minnesota Family Council, said in a statement on the group's website.

Advocates for gay and transgender issues celebrated the moment, emphasizing that the message it could be as important as its legal force.

"Governor Walz's action to prohibit conversion therapy will save lives," said Jeremy Hanson Willis, CEO of Rainbow Health, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ and HIV health equity and provides mental health care. "This order recognizes the pain that too many LGBTQ+ Minnesotans and their families have gone through and will help heal the wounds caused by this damaging and dangerous practice."

The signing event was streamed live on the governor's official YouTube channel.