United States : Supreme Court to Review the Ban on "Conversion Therapy"
United States : Supreme Court to Review the Ban on "Conversion Therapy"
A Colorado Law Under Scrutiny
The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will review the legality of banning "conversion therapy" for minors—practices aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity to impose heterosexuality. This law, in effect in the progressive state of Colorado since 2019, is based on the argument that these practices are harmful and ineffective.
A Challenge in the Name of Free Speech
Kaley Chiles, a psychological counselor from Colorado, has challenged this ban, citing her Christian faith. She argues that the law violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech. After being overruled in lower courts, she brought the case before the Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear it in its next session in the fall of 2025.
A Debate Within a Broader Context
This case comes at a time when the Supreme Court is also set to rule, by June 30, on minors’ access to medical treatments related to gender transition. According to Kaley Chiles' attorneys from the conservative group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), many young people experiencing gender dysphoria seek psychological support to align their identity with their body rather than opting for medical interventions that they consider "experimental and risky."
Arguments in Favor of Maintaining the Ban
Colorado strongly defends its law, noting that around 20 other U.S. states have enacted similar bans. The state highlights the increased risks of psychological distress, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts among individuals who have undergone these "therapies."
State attorneys criticize the plaintiff’s argument, which equates psychological counseling by a licensed professional to an informal conversation. According to them, ruling in favor of Kaley Chiles would weaken the ability of states to protect patients from practices deemed harmful in the field of mental health.
A Highly Anticipated Decision
The outcome of this case could have major implications for the regulation of "conversion therapy" in the United States. The Supreme Court’s ruling, coming from a conservative-majority bench, will be closely watched by both LGBT+ rights advocates and proponents of religious free speech.
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