The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Tuesday in a high-profile case challenging Colorado’s 2019 law banning conversion therapy for minors, a practice aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The case pits the state’s authority to regulate healthcare practices it deems unsafe against Christian counselor Kaley Chiles’ claim that the law violates her First Amendment rights by censoring her speech. Chiles, represented by the conservative group Alliance Defending Freedom, is appealing lower court rulings that upheld the statute, arguing that Colorado is silencing religiously based viewpoints.
Colorado’s law prohibits licensed mental health providers from attempting to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity, with violations subject to fines of up to $5,000. The statute does allow supportive therapies focused on identity exploration or assisting individuals undergoing gender transition. Medical organizations, including the American Psychological Association, have cited studies linking conversion therapy to serious harms, such as increased risk of suicide and running away among LGBTQ minors. The state maintains that the law regulates professional conduct rather than speech, emphasizing its duty to ensure safe and effective mental healthcare for minors.
The Supreme Court’s conservative 6-3 majority faces a case that could have major implications for LGBTQ rights and free speech protections. Colorado urges the court to uphold the law, while Chiles seeks strict scrutiny review to defend her religiously grounded counseling practices. The ruling is expected by the end of June, and comes as the court prepares to hear other contentious cases involving transgender rights and parental control over school curricula, further highlighting its central role in ongoing U.S. culture wars.
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