Sawt Falasteen - US Supreme Court hears challenge to 'conversion therapy' ban for minors

The case was brought by Kaley Chiles, a licensed mental health counselor who argues that the prohibition from holding such conversations with minors is a violation of her First Amendment free speech rights.

"Colorado forbids counselors like Kaley Chiles from helping minors pursue state-disfavored goals on issues of gender and sexuality," her attorney, James Campbell, told the court at the start of oral arguments. "The First Amendment doesn't permit Colorado censorship."

Colorado's Minor Conversion Therapy Law, passed in 2019, prohibits licensed mental health professionals from trying to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of their patients under 18 years old.

Conversion therapy is banned in more than 20 US states and much of Europe, with both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association opposed to its use.

In its brief with the Supreme Court, Colorado said there is "mounting evidence that conversion therapy is associated with increased depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts."

Chiles is represented in the case before the conservative-dominated Supreme Court by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian legal advocacy group.

In her petition, Chiles's lawyers said she "believes that people flourish when they live consistently with God's design, including their biological sex."

"Amidst a nationwide mental-health crisis, many minors struggling with gender dysphoria are seeking the counseling that Kaley Chiles would like to provide," they said.

"They want help aligning their mind and body rather than chasing experimental medical interventions and risking permanent harm," they said.

Two lower courts ruled in favor of Colorado, and Chiles brought her case before the nation's top court, where conservatives hold a 6-3 majority.

After taking office for his second term in January, President Donald Trump said the government would henceforth only recognize two genders -- male and female -- and signed an executive order restricting gender transition medical procedures for people under the age of 19.

In June, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to uphold a Tennessee state law banning hormone therapy, puberty blockers and gender transition surgery for minors.

The Supreme Court will also hear a challenge this term to state laws in Idaho and West Virginia that ban transgender girls from taking part in girls' sports -- another issue at the heart of the American culture wars.

Z.AlNajjar--SF-PST