Conversion therapy ruling could be at risk in US state as controversial case sparks fury

Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community as well as suicide which some readers may find distressing.

The United States Supreme Court is reviewing the ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ children.

On Tuesday (7 October), the Court heard a case about whether states may ban a practice known as 'conversion therapy' - a practice promoted by some religious conservatives

which involves therapy sessions which seek to change gay and lesbian children to identify as heterosexual and transgender youths to conform to the gender assigned at birth.

Around half of the US states already have laws banning conversion therapy for patients under the age of 18, including Colorado, whose law was before the Court yesterday.

This week’s case in question, named Chiles v. Salazar, is centred around a 2019 Colorado law which bars licensed therapists from attempting to change a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity, but does not extend to religious groups or family members.

A conversion therapy ruling could be at risk in Colorado as the controversial Chiles v Salazar case sparks fury (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The challenge arises from a Christian counsellor, from Kaley Chiles, who argues that the measure violates her First Amendment rights by preventing her from offering voluntary, faith‑based counselling.

Meanwhile, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies executive director Patty Salazar explained that the law - which prohibits licensed mental health professionals from attempting to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity but allows supportive, non-directive counseling - was necessary to protect young people as such conversion practices can involve traumatic behaviour modification and aversion therapy rooted in the outdated belief that LGBTQ+ people can be 'cured'.

Many individuals who were subjected to such experiences often develop mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation later on in life, with PinkNews reporting that research shows that LGBTQ+ minors forced to undergo conversion therapy were twice as likely to attempt suicide and nearly three times as likely to report numerous attempts to take their own life.

The lower courts, including the Tenth Circuit, sided with Colorado, finding that the law regulates professional conduct, not speech, and is justified by the state’s duty to protect children from psychological harm.

But Chiles, who is represented by the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom, which has backed several high-profile anti-LBGTQ+ cases, insists that the ban censors therapists who hold certain 'viewpoints'.

The Supreme Court has agreed to review the case to decide whether such laws unlawfully restrict therapists' speech or legitimately regulate professional practice - a ruling that could reshape how states govern counselling, medical, and other professional speech.

Therapist Kaley Chiles challenged the state’s ban on 'conversion therapy' for minors, arguing that it violates her First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of religion (Getty Stock Images)

The news has sparked major concern online as one X user outlined: "Conversion therapy is torture. Literally torture. They physically abuse, electrocute and chemically poison gay kids to try and ‘fix’ them. And it doesn’t work. It’s pseudoscience. Those subjected to conversion therapy are 88% more likely to commit suicide and 0% more likely to become straight.

"If you voted for this, just know you voted to torture innocent children and make them commit suicide. Let me repeat that: YOU VOTED FOR TORTURE AND SUICIDE. You are evil and psychotic if you support this."

It's important to note that this particular ruling refers to conversion talking therapy.

Another stated: "Conversion therapy of LGBTQ kids is psychological torture. Generations of LGBTQ people know this firsthand. It’s why we banned it in CA & why others states also have. Therapists don’t have the right to torture kids.

"The Supreme Court will harm so many if it overturns these laws."

"Conversion therapy is & will be nothing more than governmental-sanctioned abuse that will harm children, teaching them that love is conditional, by breaking their trust in adults, inflicting deep emotional and psychological wounds. It doesn’t 'cure' anything. THIS CAN'T HAPPEN!" echoed a third.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.