US Supreme Court rejects Colorado ban on LGBTQ child ‘conversion therapy’

The US Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision, overturned a Colorado law banning LGBTQ "conversion therapy" for minors. The court's majority opinion, supported by some liberal justices, argued the ban violated First Amendment free speech protections. The ruling stemmed from a case brought by a Christian counselor who claimed the law prevented her from offering faith-based talk therapy. About half of US states have laws banning conversion therapy, a practice linked to mental health issues in LGBTQ individuals. Justice Jackson dissented, arguing the decision impairs states' ability to regulate medical care and protect LGBTQ youth from a harmful practice.

The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 against a Colorado law banning "conversion therapy" for LGBTQ+ minors. The court sided with a Christian counselor who argued the law violated her First Amendment rights. Justice Gorsuch, writing for the majority, stated the law censored speech based on viewpoint, sending the case back to a lower court for review. Justices Kagan and Sotomayor agreed that the state cannot suppress one side of a debate while aiding the other. Justice Jackson dissented, arguing states should regulate healthcare, even with incidental speech restrictions. The counselor, supported by the Trump administration, argued the ban prevented her from offering voluntary, faith-based therapy.

The US Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision, ruled against Colorado's law banning "conversion therapy" for LGBTQ+ youth. The court sided with a Christian counselor who argued the ban on talk therapy violated her First Amendment rights. Justice Gorsuch, writing for the majority, stated the law censored speech based on viewpoint. The case was sent back to a lower court to determine if it meets a specific legal standard. Justice Jackson dissented, arguing states should regulate healthcare, even with incidental speech restrictions. This decision follows other recent cases where the court has supported religious claims while showing skepticism toward LGBTQ+ rights.