A Christian group that has urged the US Supreme Court to lift a ban on so-called "conversion therapy" has told Premier Christian News that state laws are "one-sided".
Conversion therapy is intended to change a person’s same-sex attraction or questioning of their gender identity. The practice is currently banned for under-18s in 27 states, as major medical groups consider it to be harmful for mental health.
Colorado therapist Kaley Chiles is represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), who argue that her First Amendment right to free speech in her professional practice is being breached.
ADF claims that whilst the ban was intended to outlaw harmful practices, it has also prevented therapists from engaging in consensual conversations.
“In this situation, Kaley is only engaged in voluntary counselling, so just talking," attorney Jonathan Scruggs told Premier.
“Her clients come to see her and say: ‘I'm a person of faith and I want help. I'm struggling with how I understand my body and how I understand my identity. I want help to make myself feel comfortable and align my values with my faith that I already hold.’ But Colorado makes that illegal.”
Scruggs told Premier that the state’s laws are “one-sided" as both talking therapy and hormonal therapy are allowed to help someone actively change their gender or sexuality, whereas therapy to encourage someone to remain as their biological sex is barred.
“Colorado allows counsellors to push kids toward dangerous life-altering drugs and procedures,” he said. “What the state is doing is saying there are certain ‘forbidden goals’ that clients cannot choose, and only some goals they can choose. So, this is all about empowering families and kids to get the counselling that they want.”
However, some who have experienced similar treatment say it can prey on the mentally vulnerable – even when they are the person requesting it.
“You're broken, and then you're doing all the things that they're telling you to do, and it's not working," said Jessica Ritter, a lesbian who sought the treatment as a teenager raised in a Christian home.
The ban does not apply to ministers praying for individuals in a personal capacity.
If the court sides with Chiles and the ADF, it could lead to similar challenges being brought in other jurisdictions.
Justices are expected to deliver their judgment before the end of June 2026.
