Supreme Court strikes down Colorado ban on conversion therapy for minors

WASHINGTON D.C. (KRDO) -- In an 8-1 ruling, the Supreme Court struck down Colorado's ban on conversion therapy for minors, saying the law discriminates against a viewpoint.

The main litigant in the case, Kaley Chiles, a Colorado Springs Christian therapist, expressed her happiness over the ruling.

"I am overjoyed that today's decisive win for free speech, families, and common sense will protect counselors like me. And more importantly, I am thrilled that the ruling will help struggling kids and families who are seeking professional guidance consistent with biological reality," Chiles said in a prepared statement over a virtual news conference. "I view my work as an outpouring of my faith. I want what's best for my clients, and they often seek me out because we have a shared faith. It's crucial that families have counseling options."

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the Court's lone dissenter.

"It is a condemnation of viewpoint discrimination," Chiles's attorney, Jim Campbell, said. "And it is a recognition that counselors must be free to have voluntary conversations with clients who are seeking their help."

The ruling is expected to have impacts throughout the country. 27 states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, banned conversion therapy.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis opposes the ruling, saying in a statement,

“Colorado is for everyone, no matter who you are. Conversion therapy doesn’t work, can seriously harm youth, and Coloradans should beware before turning over their hard-earned money to a scam. I am evaluating the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and working to figure out how to better protect LGBTQ youth and free speech in Colorado. We are fighting for everyone’s right to be who you are in our Colorado for all."

Colorado passed its ban on conversion therapy in 2019.

Inside Out Youth Services, an LGBTQ organization in Colorado Springs, condemned the Supreme Court's ruling.

"We have supported the conversion therapy ban for minors in our state since its inception. And really, this is an infringement not just on states' rights, but also, it's trying to validate a practice that has been condemned and discredited by every major medical association," Advocacy Director Ollie Glessner told KRDO13.

Glessner says Inside Out will continue to support kids who may feel targeted by the ruling.

"Our role is really to counter those messages at every opportunity. To remind them that there is nothing wrong with them. There's nothing about them that needs to be changed. That they are perfect just the way they are."

The American Psychiatric Association also opposed the Supreme Court's decision, saying in a statement:

"The APA is deeply concerned that the Supreme Court’s decision in Chiles v. Salazar will potentially harm many LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly minors, who will no longer be protected by state laws against conversion therapy.

Being LGBTQ+ is not a mental illness or disorder. Conversion therapy — efforts to change sexual orientation and gender identity — is not a legitimate therapeutic treatment. Leading health care entities, the APA among them, have concluded that these are potentially harmful, discredited practices and are not supported by scientific evidence. 

We urge the families of LGBTQ+ individuals, faith-based institutions, and therapists to avoid these harmful practices."

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement:

“Today’s reckless decision means more American kids will suffer. The Court has weaponized free-speech in order to prioritize anti-LGBTQ+ bias over the safety, health and wellbeing of children. So-called ‘conversion therapy’ is pseudoscience, not real therapy. It has been condemned by every mainstream medical and mental health association and harms families, traumatizes children and robs people of their faith communities. It is cruel and should never be offered under the guise of legitimate mental healthcare. To undermine protections that keep kids and families safe from these abusive practices is shocking — and our children deserve better.

Our fight is far from over. We remain committed to protecting children against these abusive practices that tear apart families and will continue to work alongside our coalition partners to ensure that no kid has to be subjected to guilt, coercion and rejection as they seek help to better understand themselves and grow.”

It should be noted that the ruling only covers speech, and conversion therapists could still be sued for malpractice going forward.

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