A federal appeals court has upheld Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors, affirming that the law regulates conduct rather than restricting free speech. The 2019 law, known as House Bill 1129, prohibits state-licensed mental health providers from attempting to alter a minor’s gender identity or sexual orientation. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 ruling, rejected a request for an injunction and allowed the law to remain in effect.
Conversion therapy, a widely discredited practice, has been condemned by leading medical and psychological organizations. Supporters of the law argue that the therapy causes significant harm to LGBTQ youth, who are often coerced into undergoing these treatments. Research has shown that conversion therapy leads to increased risks of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide, especially among vulnerable LGBTQ teens. This ruling offers much-needed protection for minors in Colorado, reinforcing that state laws can safeguard young people from harmful practices disguised as treatment.
Despite objections from conservative groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which challenged the law on free speech grounds, the court concluded that the law targets harmful conduct rather than limiting ideological expression. While some argue that counseling is a form of speech, the court differentiated between speech and the therapeutic practices regulated by the law.
LGBTQ advocacy groups have praised the ruling, highlighting the importance of protecting LGBTQ youth from practices that deny their identities. The decision marks another step forward in the ongoing battle to eliminate conversion therapy, a practice that continues to be fought on legal grounds across the United States.
