The U.S. Supreme Court has taken on yet another battle in the war over LGBTQ rights, agreeing to hear a challenge to Colorado’s ban on so-called “conversion therapy” for minors. The case, brought by Christian therapist Kaley Chiles, argues that the law violates her free speech rights—an argument that conveniently ignores the reality that “conversion therapy” is neither speech nor therapy, but a widely discredited form of psychological abuse.
Colorado is one of over two dozen states that have barred licensed professionals from attempting to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity. These laws exist for a reason—decades of research and personal testimonies have shown that conversion therapy is harmful, leading to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among LGBTQ youth. But that hasn’t stopped religious conservatives from framing it as a matter of “free speech” rather than professional ethics.
Chiles, who claims people “flourish when they live consistently with God’s design,” is being represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group with a track record of challenging LGBTQ protections. The case will be heard in the Supreme Court’s next term, raising concerns that the conservative-leaning bench may once again prioritize religious freedoms over LGBTQ safety.
Colorado Attorney General Philip Weiser has vowed to defend the law, calling conversion therapy “unscientific and cruel.” Governor Jared Polis, the first openly gay man elected as a state governor, has been a vocal advocate against the practice, which has been rejected by every major medical and psychological association.
This isn’t the first time the Supreme Court has been asked to intervene on this issue. In 2023, it declined to hear a similar case from Washington state—but the legal landscape has since shifted, and religious conservatives are emboldened by recent wins. With the court’s history of siding with religious interests over LGBTQ protections, activists are bracing for a decision that could set back progress and leave queer youth even more vulnerable.
At its core, this case isn’t about free speech—it’s about the right of LGBTQ minors to grow up without being subjected to psychological torture masquerading as “therapy.” The Supreme Court now holds the power to either protect these youth or hand a victory to those who would rather see them erased.