Supreme Court to Hear Case on Counseling for Minors
The Supreme Court is set to hear a case on Tuesday concerning the protection of counseling services for minors grappling with gender identity and sexual orientation issues under the First Amendment.
Kayley Chile, a certified Christian therapist, contends that her discussions with young clients are protected speech. In contrast, the Colorado government views these services as professional practices subject to regulation.
A lawyer for Chile noted in court documents her belief that individuals thrive when they align with what they consider divine designs, including biological sex.
Operating from Colorado Springs, Childs practices “faith-based” counseling, which aims to “engage in talk therapy with young people who are trying to reduce or eliminate unnecessary sexual attraction, change sexual behavior, and achieve physical and emotional harmony,” according to her attorney.
Colorado’s Ban on Conversion Therapy
This closely watched case arises from a 2019 Colorado law that prohibits “conversion therapy.” Around 20 states have enacted similar laws, and the court’s decision could influence those states.
Chile’s legal team argues that the state law is akin to “prior censorship,” asserting that “Colorado laws have undeniably silenced her” in her practice.
They claim that the definition of conversion therapy is broad, and the law poses potential fines or revocation of licenses for therapists like Chile who may stray from the regulations.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser defended the law in a statement, emphasizing that only therapists are prohibited from performing treatments aimed at changing minors’ sexual orientation or gender identity.
“So-called conversion therapy is an inhumane, abusive practice that has been overwhelmingly shown to harm young people,” Weiser stated. “We have a compelling interest in protecting children from this dangerous pseudo-science.”
Ongoing National Debate
This case is part of a larger national discussion surrounding the intersection of the First Amendment with identity and sexual orientation. Earlier, the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado could not compel web designer Rory Smith to create designs that conflicted with her beliefs, particularly wedding websites for same-sex couples.
Now, Chile v. Salazar stands as another significant cultural moment. Support for Chile is being voiced not only by the Trump Justice Department but also by the Association of Bible Counselors and various family research groups.
On the opposing side, nearly 200 Congressional Democrats and key health organizations back Colorado’s law.
Kate Anderson, an attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative advocacy group representing Chile, expressed optimism about the upcoming debate, citing the Colorado Web Designer case as encouraging.
Anderson remarked, “The conversion therapy issue is another Colorado example that deals with efforts to censor speech in somewhat different contexts. I hope the Supreme Court will once again affirm freedom of speech for all.”
