WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors violated the First Amendment, marking a significant decision on the balance between free speech and state regulation of counseling practices.
The case, Chiles v. Salazar, involved Kaley Chiles, a licensed counselor who challenged the law, arguing it restricted her ability to speak with clients seeking guidance on gender identity and sexual orientation. The Court agreed that the law regulates speech based on viewpoint and should have been subject to heightened constitutional scrutiny.
Lower courts had previously upheld the law, accepting Colorado’s argument that it regulated professional conduct rather than speech. However, the Supreme Court found that the law directly targeted the content of conversations between counselors and clients.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the sole dissenting vote.
The ruling continues a pattern of Supreme Court decisions scrutinizing Colorado laws tied to LGBTQ-related issues. Previous cases, including disputes involving a baker and a web designer, were also decided on First Amendment grounds, with the Court siding against the state.
Supporters of the law argued it was intended to protect minors from harmful practices, while opponents viewed it as government overreach into private speech. The decision could have broader implications for how states regulate professional counseling and speech-related practices nationwide.
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