Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Challenge To ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to a Colorado law that bans so-called ‘conversion therapy,’ the harmful practice that falsely claims to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a challenge to law in Colorado that bans “conversion therapy” aimed at young people questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.

[image or embed] — NBC News (@nbcnews.com) March 10, 2025 at 6:50 AM

From NBC News:

The justices took up an appeal brought by Kaley Chiles, a Christian therapist, who argued that the restriction violates her free speech rights under the Constitution’s First Amendment.

Colorado officials wrote in their brief that the state measure regulates conduct, not speech.

“States have long regulated medical practices to protect patients from harmful professional conduct,” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, a Democrat, said in a statement. “Colorado’s law protecting young people from unscientific and cruel gay conversion therapy practices is human, smart, and appropriate.”

A federal judge and the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals both ruled in favor of the state.

The Supreme Court has declined several times in the past to take up challenges to similar conversion therapy bans, most recently in December 2023. But, at the time, three justices – Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh – indicated they would have heard the case. More than 20 states currently have similar bans, which means the high court’s ruling would have nationwide implications.

Numerous major medical groups – including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychiatric Association – have denounced “conversion therapy” as ineffective and detrimental to mental health.

There’s no debate: so-called ‘conversion therapy’ is a dangerous practice, not therapy, and it has no place in our communities. These bans exist to protect LGBTQ+ children from harm—period.

The Court must uphold the 10th Circuit decision, finding that these laws are constitutional. [image or embed] — Human Rights Campaign (@hrc.org) March 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM