Conversion therapy bans a hot topic at SCOTUS

(NEXSTAR) — The Supreme Court appeared skeptical of Colorado’s law banning conversion therapy, during oral arguments on Tuesday.

Colorado’s law prohibits therapists from trying to convince minors to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Kaley Chiles, a licensed therapist in Colorado, sued the state, with the support of the Alliance Defending Freedom. Chiles’ argument hinged on the first amendment. Her attorneys argued the state law prevented Chiles from speaking freely to children in private therapy sessions.

“It’s reaching into the counseling room and censoring counselors,” said Kate Anderson, an attorney with ADF.

Justice Elena Kagan, an Obama appointee seemed to question whether the Colorado law violated the First Amendment.

“If a doctor says, ‘I know you identify as gay and I’m going to help you accept that,’ and another doctor says, ‘I know you identify as gay and I’m going to help you change that’ – and one of those is permissible and the other is not — that seems like viewpoint discrimination,” Kagan said.

But Colorado’s attorney general said states have the right to regulate licensed practitioners.

“What we’re talking about here is protecting patients from substandard care,” said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. “This so-called conversion therapy, it’s substandard care. We know that because every single medical association has said it’s harmful.”

Cairn Yakey said they’re a therapist in Colorado and a survivor of conversion therapy. Yakey visited the court on Tuesday for the arguments.

“I became so ashamed of myself and how I felt and just never felt like I fit in,” Yakey said.

The court’s decision could affect nearly half of the states in the U.S. that have bans on conversion therapy.