The Supreme Court seems prepared to overturn conversion therapy ban for minors

The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard a challenge to a Colorado state law that bans “conversion therapy” for minors that hinges on whether the state’s ban is so broad that it limits speech and religious expression, or if it is protecting vulnerable minors.

The case, Chiles v. Salazar, is a challenge to the state law by Christian therapist Kaley Chiles. She’s a licensed professional counselor in Colorado and said the law restricts her ability to communicate with clients.

The Minor Conversion Therapy Law, passed in 2019, banned state-licensed mental health professionals from providing conversion therapy to minors. The ban does not apply to someone who is engaged in “religious ministry.”

Chiles argues that the law violates her First Amendment free speech and religious exercise rights by contr