United States : Supreme Court to Review the Ban on “Conversion Therapy”

A Law Under Judicial Review in Colorado

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to examine the constitutionality of laws prohibiting so-called “conversion therapy” for minors—interventions that claim to alter an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This practice has been banned in Colorado since 2019, with state officials arguing that it is both harmful and ineffective.

A Challenge Based on Free Speech

Kaley Chiles, a psychological counselor in Colorado, has contested the ban, citing her Christian beliefs and asserting that it infringes on her First Amendment right to free speech. After lower courts ruled against her, she escalated the case to the Supreme Court, which has now agreed to hear arguments in its fall 2025 session.

A Case Amid Broader Legal Debates

The Supreme Court’s review of this issue coincides with another high-profile case regarding minors’ access to gender-affirming medical care, expected to be decided by June 30. Attorneys representing Chiles, affiliated with the conservative legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), argue that many young people with gender dysphoria seek counseling to reconcile their gender identity with their biological sex, rather than pursuing medical interventions they consider uncertain and potentially harmful.

Defending the Ban on Ethical and Medical Grounds

Colorado authorities strongly uphold the law, emphasizing that nearly 20 other states have implemented similar prohibitions. They point to research linking “conversion therapy” to heightened psychological distress, increased suicidal ideation, and attempts at self-harm. The state’s legal team argues that licensed mental health professionals must adhere to ethical standards, and equating their work with casual conversations, as Chiles’ defense suggests, could set a dangerous precedent undermining patient protections.

A Decision with National Repercussions

The forthcoming Supreme Court ruling could significantly influence the regulation of “conversion therapy” across the United States. Given the Court’s conservative-leaning composition, the verdict will be closely scrutinized by both LGBTQ+ rights advocates and defenders of religious and speech freedoms.