a large crowd gathered in Frankfort today for the annual state wide fairness rally.

The group rallied in opposition of several bills targeting the LGBTQ community, including House Bill 495, which would overturn Governor Andy Beshear, his executive order banning the practice of conversion therapy.

I was sent to conversion therapy through churches, through licensed therapist and people I trusted, and I spent years trying everything that they told me to simply change who I am.

And it didn't work because there was never anything wrong with me to begin with.

Two weeks ago, I stood in the state legislator committee.

They dismissed my story and my lived experience.

It just didn't matter to them as if I was making it up.

But I know the truth.

God knows the truth.

You know the truth.

And all who have survived this know the truth as well.

Last year, I signed an executive order officially banning the practice of so-called conversion therapy on minors.

Now, there's legislation in the General Assembly that would overturn that ban.

And I want you to know that if it passes and it reaches my desk, I will veto it.

I believe that my guys said that we're going to have this rally on this day.

On this day, as I am a woman, a black woman.

And the only LGBTQ person serving on the day that I've got to go on the House floor and battle diversity, equity and inclusion.

So what I will say to you all is thank you for being here today.

Thank you for standing in the Gap.

This is our civil rights movement.

This is our time to show.

This is our time to organize.

This is our time to stand together.