Background on Conversion Therapies and Relevant Parties
The United States Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, began addressing its first sensitive social topic of the new term on Tuesday: the ban on “conversion therapies” aimed at encouraging minor LGBT+ individuals to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The constitutionality of a Colorado law, enacted since 2019, prohibiting conversion therapies for minors is under debate. The case was brought before the highest court in the country by Kaley Chiles, a licensed mental health counselor, who argues that the ban infringes on her First Amendment right to freedom of expression by preventing her from having such conversations with minors.
Who is Kaley Chiles?
Kaley Chiles is a licensed mental health counselor who believes individuals thrive when living according to “God’s design,” including their biological sex. She is represented by the Christian legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom in her case against Colorado’s ban on conversion therapies for minors.
Legal Precedents and Arguments
Conversion therapy is outlawed in over 20 U.S. states and across much of Europe, with both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association opposing its use due to associated risks of increased depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Colorado’s legal argument emphasizes the growing evidence linking conversion therapy to mental health issues. In her Supreme Court brief, Colorado asserts that conversion therapy is detrimental to minors’ well-being.
Lower Court Rulings
Two lower courts sided with Colorado, prompting Kaley Chiles to take her case to the Supreme Court where conservative justices hold a 6-3 majority.
Political Context and Recent Developments
Following his second inauguration in January, President Donald Trump announced that the government would only recognize two genders—male and female—and signed an executive order restricting gender transition medical procedures for minors under 19.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are conversion therapies? Conversion therapies are practices aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, often targeting minors.
- Why is Colorado’s law significant? Colorado’s 2019 law prohibits conversion therapies for minors, sparking a debate over First Amendment rights and mental health concerns.
- Who is Kaley Chiles and what is her argument? Kaley Chiles, a licensed mental health counselor, believes in living according to “God’s design” and argues that the ban on discussing such topics with minors violates her freedom of expression.
- What do mental health organizations say about conversion therapies? Both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association oppose conversion therapies, citing associated risks of mental health issues.
- What is the political context surrounding this case? The case comes amidst a broader debate on LGBT+ rights and gender identity, with the Trump administration taking a stance limiting gender transition procedures for minors.
