Supreme Court Ruling on Counseling Law

On March 31, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a significant case, Chile v. Salazar. This case centers on a Colorado law that restricts licensed counselors from discussing gender identity with minors. Even if the children express a desire for support in coming to terms with their identities, counselors are prohibited from doing so. I took legal action with the Alliance Defending Freedom to challenge this law, and it has resulted in a clear 8-1 ruling in my favor.

The decision provides reassurance that free speech is safeguarded in our legal system. Officials in Colorado may genuinely believe in their stance on gender identity, but it’s essential to recognize that our country values open dialogue, even when opinions clash with government views.

This ruling should also benefit children’s overall well-being. However, the law in Colorado poses risks to their mental, physical, and emotional health. It obliges counselors to avoid discussing gender identity with clients who wish to explore their feelings, instead encouraging them to reject their assigned gender.

The state essentially compels counselors to either remain silent or adhere to rigid requirements that push children towards gender transition, including potentially harmful medical interventions. This law denies certain families access to beneficial counseling that would help them come to terms with their identities, as Colorado seems to assume it knows what’s best for them.

This victory calls for further action. I urge counselors to reconsider the assumptions surrounding gender identity and reaffirm their commitment to supporting young people.

The legislation stifles my instincts as a counselor trained to think critically. Ideally, I should listen to my clients rather than steer them toward predetermined conclusions set by state laws. Instead, I am left with the challenge of suppressing my personal beliefs and professional expertise, which are vital to the clients who seek my help.

Young individuals desperate for understanding often simply want someone who listens—someone who empathizes with their experiences and can help them navigate their confusion and anguish towards a brighter future.

Fortunately, the Supreme Court has acknowledged the risks posed by Colorado’s regulations on my profession. History shows that government attempts at censorship often arise under the guise of protecting the public from dangerous ideas. The ruling reinforces the principle that censorship isn’t an acceptable solution to disagreement, reminding Colorado of First Amendment rights and the importance of allowing diverse voices in counseling.

This win isn’t the endpoint, though. It’s essential for counselors to question the ideology that promotes the idea that some are born into the “wrong body” and to focus on protecting the youth. Research suggests that many children experiencing gender dysphoria, notably around 90% of younger kids, will resolve their feelings over time. Unfortunately, this natural resistance weakens when society treats them as members of the opposite sex, exposing them to risky treatments.

Just because certain expert groups assert their authority doesn’t validate their perspective. We should be open to examining scientific findings that contradict prevailing trends, maintaining the same rigorous standards we apply to other issues in our field. It’s a reflection of reality that public trust in our profession has faltered, and we need to work on restoring it.

Children grappling with identity issues deserve guidance and support. The Supreme Court’s decision opens the door to these possibilities. We share the hope that we’ll uphold the justices’ values in safeguarding young individuals and their families from flawed science and political encroachment into their rights to seek the truth freely.

Kaley Chiles is a certified professional counselor in Colorado.