POLITICS

Supreme Court overturns Colorado ban on conversion therapy

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Supreme Court overturns Colorado ban on conversion therapy

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Washington — The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled 8-1 in favor of a Colorado counselor challenging the state's law banning conversion therapy for minors, finding the statute, as applied, regulated speech based on viewpoint and sending the case back to a lower court for stricter First Amendment review. The decision, written by Justice Neil Gorsuch with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting, immediately raises questions about similar bans in more than two dozen states; lower courts must now reassess whether such laws survive heightened constitutional scrutiny, and advocates on both sides signaled plans for further legal action this week.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

2019: Colorado enacts a law banning conversion therapy for minors, signed by Gov. Jared Polis.
April 2024: Wisconsin licensing board classifies conversion therapy as unprofessional conduct.
Lower courts, including the 10th Circuit, review and initially uphold Colorado's law.
March 31, 2026: U.S. Supreme Court issues an 8-1 decision siding with counselor Kaley Chiles.
Post-decision: Lower courts are instructed to apply stricter First Amendment scrutiny to similar statutes.

Why This Matters to You

This ruling could affect laws in over two dozen states with similar bans on conversion therapy for minors. If you're a parent or work with youth, it's worth keeping an eye on how this unfolds in your state.

The Bottom Line

The Supreme Court's decision doesn't mean conversion therapy is now legal everywhere. It just means lower courts must review these laws with stricter First Amendment scrutiny. Stay informed about your state's stance on this issue. Worth forwarding if you know someone in the counseling or mental health field.