A July 15 executive order from Gov. Tim Walz restricts a practice he describes as “conversion therapy.” But Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, views it as a counseling ban that denies young people who struggle with gender discordance and same-sex attraction access to the psychological sciences that could help them live in harmony with their bodies and with a healthy, rightly ordered sexuality that promotes human flourishing.

The order targets a broad spectrum of speech and viewpoints that Walz does not appear to like, Adkins said. “In his view, kids are allegedly able to consent to puberty blockers and permanent body-altering drugs and surgeries, but supposedly need to be protected from seeking a counselor,” Adkins said.

The governor’s order defines conversion therapy as any practice by a mental health practitioner or professional that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward people, regardless of gender. Walz described the therapy “especially concerning when used on minors and vulnerable adults.”

As the broader culture promotes sex transition — which Adkins called an impossibility — as a cure for young people struggling with all sorts of psychological wounds and mental health challenges, Walz’s order shuts off access to needed counseling services and, instead, routes children toward hormone treatments, surgery and other “gender-affirming treatments,” Adkins said.

“Under the counseling ban, therapists and families are prevented from working together to address the underlying psychological issues and trauma of which same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria are often symptoms,” Adkins said. “In doing so, Gov. Walz merely emboldens gender ideologues and enriches pharmaceutical companies and unethical doctors — all of whom prey on young people by promoting these irrational ideologies and harmful body-altering practices.”

Because the restrictions took effect by executive order and not legislation, any governor succeeding Walz could repeal them. The Democrat-controlled Minnesota House of Representatives approved a ban in 2019, but the Republican-majority state Senate narrowly defeated it.

Adkins said the MCC will work with any families or counselors who wish to bring a lawsuit challenging state or municipal counseling bans and connect them with the appropriate legal representation.

“And the Catholic Church will continue to provide spiritual accompaniment to young people and their families so that they can find peace with their bodies and embrace an integrated sexual identity,” he said.

Adkins said Minnesota should follow Great Britain’s example and ban sex-change surgeries for minors because of their inability to properly consent to permanent physical alterations.

“That is the real ‘conversion therapy’ that needs to be stopped,” he said.

“Certainly, there have been specific false advertising and therapeutic practices used in the past that should be banned,” Adkins said, “but those are already governed by licensing regulations and deceptive trade practices laws.”

The governor’s order states that “so-called ‘conversion therapy,’ sometimes known as ‘reparative therapy,’ is a range of dangerous and discredited practices that falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The scientific, medical, and education communities overwhelmingly reject conversion therapy because it lacks scientific validation, poses dangerous health risks to the individuals and communities involved, and contributes to health and social inequities.”

The order requires state agencies to pursue opportunities and coordinate with each other to protect Minnesotans, especially minors and vulnerable adults, from conversion therapy to the fullest extent of their authority. For example, by May 1, 2022, the Minnesota departments of health and commerce will request statements from health insurers that they are not covering conversion therapy services.

The executive order cites 15 health organizations — including the Minnesota Medical Association and the American Medical and Psychological associations — that have voiced opposition to the practices. It also cites seven professional education associations — including the National Education Association and the National Association of School Psychologists — that have denounced the therapy for the harm it causes to children’s mental health.

The order says 11 Minnesota cities, 23 other states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and “a growing number of municipalities across the country” have taken action against conversion therapy.