SCOTUS to Hear Major Religious Freedom Case Involving Conversion Therapy for Minors

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will hear a significant religious liberty case challenging state laws that ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors.

The case centers on a Colorado law that prohibits conversion therapy. This practice effectively restricts religious families from seeking biblical counseling for individuals seeking help for their children who are struggling with issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) will hear the case Chiles v. Salazar, et al., starting in October, during its next term. Kaley Chiles, a licensed counselor in Colorado and a Christian, initiated the lawsuit in federal court, arguing that the state’s 2019 law infringes on her free speech and religious liberty rights under the First Amendment.

The law, which is similar to those in over 20 states and 100 local jurisdictions, bans treatments or practices aimed at changing minors’ sexual orientation or gender identity. According to the lawsuit, Chiles contends that many of her Christian clients seek her services due to their shared faith-based convictions and biblical worldview.

Kristen Waggoner, ADF’s president and general counsel, stated, “The government has no business censoring private conversations between clients and counselors, nor should a counselor be used as a tool to impose the government’s biased views on her clients.”

She added, “There is a growing consensus around the world that adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria need love and an opportunity to talk through their struggles and feelings. Colorado’s law prohibits what’s best for these children and sends a clear message: the only option for children struggling with these issues is to give them dangerous and experimental drugs and surgery that will make them lifelong patients.”

This will mark the first time the Supreme Court will consider the issue of conversion therapy bans.

In 2023, SCOTUS declined to hear a similar case, though lower courts had made earlier split decisions on the issue.  Justices Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh, and Clarence Thomas favored reviewing the case in 2023; however, four justices must agree to grant review for a case to be heard by SCOTUS.

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