Christian counselors in Wisconsin are disputing a state regulation that requires them to withhold specific treatments from children experiencing gender confusion. They argue this might go against a Supreme Court ruling from March.
This past May, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) initiated a lawsuit on behalf of counselors Terry Koschnick and Joy Bachmann against the administration of Governor Tony Evers. Conservative legal advocates believe that Wisconsin’s regulations closely mirror a Colorado law that was struck down by the Supreme Court earlier this year.
In the case of Chiles v. Salazar, the court ruled 8-1 in favor of Colorado counselor Kaylee Chiles. The ruling stated that the Colorado law hindered her ability to speak freely in her professional capacity, as it compelled her to affirm a child’s transgender identity, even if it conflicted with the child’s biological sex. Chiles sought assistance in accepting her biological identity.
Rebecca Huldeck, deputy counsel at WILL, expressed concern, stating, “The government should not decide what views counselors can share during private therapy sessions, especially when clients are looking for faith-based guidance.”
She further elaborated that Wisconsin’s administrative rules prevent counselors from offering certain perspectives in private, voluntary therapy, which can be considered viewpoint discrimination. The Supreme Court has identified this type of restriction as a serious violation of the First Amendment.
WILL contends that under Wisconsin’s regulations, counselors are unable to provide therapy to clients questioning their biological gender and are only allowed to recommend gender reassignment or other potentially harmful interventions.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling against the Colorado law, Governor Evers has declined to abolish Wisconsin’s existing regulations, according to the group.
The governor’s office did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
In 2025, the Wisconsin Legislature passed Senate Bill 324, which bans mental health providers from offering conversion therapy to minors. This bill defines conversion therapy as any method intended to alter a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, encompassing efforts aimed at changing behavior or reducing feelings for individuals of the same sex.
