The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday, April 1, that Colorado cannot enforce a law restricting how licensed therapists discuss sexual orientation and gender identity with clients, finding the state’s conversion therapy ban violates free speech protections. The decision is expected to prompt legal challenges to similar laws in more than 20 states.
The case was brought by Kaley Chiles, an evangelical Christian therapist who argued the law prevented her from counseling clients seeking to align their identities or behavior with their religious beliefs. In an 8-1 decision, the Court found the state had improperly limited what therapists can say in sessions.
The ruling does not address whether conversion therapy is effective or safe. It focuses on whether states can regulate communication between therapists and clients, a distinction likely to shape how lower courts evaluate similar laws.
Conversion therapy generally refers to efforts to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Major medical and mental health organizations, including the American Psychological Association, have rejected these practices, citing evidence they can cause harm, including increased risks of depression and suicidal thoughts.
Some Christian therapists said the decision protects their ability to respond to client requests grounded in faith. Psychologist Mark Baker told NPR he has worked with people who accept their same-sex attraction but choose not to act on it.
“I’m aware of people who went through therapy who can accept their same-sex attraction, but they choose to want to have kids and get married,” Baker said. “I’m just going to manage that in my life.” He said therapists should be able to support clients in making decisions shaped by religious belief, while acknowledging that therapy does not change sexual orientation.
“That’s really damaging to the entire faith-based movement that is trying to help people live [as] who they are meant to be,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA, the world’s oldest and largest organization working for the justice, equality, and full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Catholics within the Church and society. It was founded in 1969.
LGBTQ+ people of faith and affirming religious leaders said the ruling could make it harder to protect vulnerable people, particularly minors who may not have control over their care.
“Conversion therapy is not only medically spurious,” said the Rev. Sofía Betancourt, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, linking the practice to religious efforts to frame LGBTQ+ identity as something that must be changed.
“Most of the time, it’s happening in the church basement around the corner from your house,” said Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez, who has spoken publicly about his experience with conversion therapy. He said the effects can take years to work through and are often minimized when described as religious guidance.
Advocates say the decision could limit how states regulate licensed providers while leaving religious settings largely unaffected. Many existing laws apply only to therapists, not clergy or ministries, where similar practices may continue.
Some organizations are expanding access to affirming care and connecting LGBTQ+ people with supportive faith communities.
Legal challenges to state-level conversion therapy bans are expected as courts begin applying the Supreme Court’s ruling.