BIDEN SIGNS ORDER TO PROTECT LGBTQ RIGHTS

President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday aimed at protecting LGBTQ people from a cascade of legislation in conservative states that increasingly targets the rights of gays, lesbians, transgender youthS and others.

The order is designed to counter efforts by Republican politicians like Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who has pushed through a measure — called by some the “Don’t

Say Gay” law — banning teachers from providing instruction regarding gender identity or sexual orientation.

Other laws passed in conservative states include prohibitions on transgender girls competing in high school sports and efforts to ban the provision of genderaffirming care. White House officials have called the new laws “un-American” and said they are designed to discriminate against families and children based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Biden’s executive order takes direct aim at so-called conversion therapy, a discredited practice in which doctors falsely claim to be able to adjust a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation with treatment.

In a ceremony in the East Room packed with LGBTQ supporters, Biden said he was moved to take action to prevent what he called “hateful attacks” by Republican governors and legislatures around the country.

In the executive order, the president directs the secretary of health and human services and the secretary of state to lead an effort to limit exposure to conversion therapy on the part of American youth, and endeavor to end it altogether internationally. The order would also direct the Federal Trade Commission to determine whether conversion therapy amounts to a deceptive act.

The order seeks to expand access to suicide prevention and mental health resources for LGBTQ people.