Contrary to his party’s common stance, Kentucky’s Democratic Governor Andy Beshear disputes the notion that he supports sex change surgeries for children identifying as transgender.
Beshear, who enjoys high approval ratings in his largely conservative state, addressed allegations last week that he advocates for such medical procedures in children.
In a recent ad named “Parents,” Beshear refutes claims from his Republican gubernatorial race opponent, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, stating, “the attacks are ‘not true,’ and asserts, “I’ve never supported gender reassignment surgery for kids – and those procedures don’t happen here in Kentucky.”
Beshear, however, does support hormone therapies, which he calls “gender-affirming care,” and believes parents should decide what’s best for their children.
“Beshear has always been clear that he does not support gender reassignment surgery for minors,” Eric Hyers, Beshear’s campaign manager, said.
He criticized Cameron and his allies for pushing a “false attack” because they can’t debate on Cameron’s record, which includes supporting cuts to teacher pensions and diverting money from public schools.
Hyers added that Beshear supports parents’ rights to make decisions for their children, not politicians.
Despite Beshear’s statements, Cameron’s campaign disputed his claims. Sean Southard, campaign surrogate and Republican Party of Kentucky spokesman, accused Beshear of supporting sex-change surgeries for children because he vetoed the bill banning them.
He claimed Beshear is misleading voters about his true beliefs.
Southard was referring to Beshear’s veto of SB 150, a bill to ban gender transition surgeries for minors, limit school discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity, and protect teachers from using a student’s preferred pronouns.
Beshear argued the bill allowed too much government interference in personal healthcare issues and could lead to increased suicide among Kentucky’s youth.
A spokesperson for Beshear’s campaign told Fox News Digital that the veto was due to concerns about mental health and parental rights, not the ban on child sex change surgeries.
Southard also mentioned Beshear’s veto of SB 83, a bill that banned biological males from competing in girls sports.
Beshear argued that the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s policies allow transgender children to participate in sports without disturbing the balance.
Beshear’s vetoes of SB 83 and SB 150 were overridden by the Republican-controlled state legislature.
The race between Beshear and Cameron is likely to be closely watched in the 2023 election cycle and could predict trends for the 2024 elections.
The general election will be held on Tuesday, November 7.
