On Oct. 7, the United States Supreme Court heard the case of Chiles v. Salazar, which argued against the Colorado law that bans conversion therapy for minors.Â
Kaley Chiles, a licensed Colorado counsellor, and the Alliance Defending Freedom stated that the ban is an unconstitutional regulation of free speech. Lawyer James Campbell, representing Chiles, contended that she is prevented from serving those that voluntarily seek the treatment. Conservative justices also questioned whether conversion practices were harmful enough to constitute banning them.
Colorado’s officials said that the law regulates conduct and that overturning it would undercut the states’ ability to protect patients from harmful professional practices. Conversion therapy seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation to heterosexual. The treatment has been denounced as ineffective and hurtful by international professional and health associations. State Solicitor General Shannon Stevenson stressed that the law still permits patients to discuss uncertain feelings around sexuality and gender.Â
The oral arguments on Oct. 7 show that justices may be inclined to rule against Colorado law, a decision that would invalidate similar laws in over 20 states. The decision is expected by June 2026.
