The Supreme Court announced March 10 that it will hear the case of a Colorado counselor challenging the state’s ban on “conversion therapy.”
Kaley Chiles is a licensed counselor and Christian who only wishes to have the freedom of expressing her views in the manner that reflects her beliefs and does not wish to impose those on anyone else, according to the filing.
Chiles sought a preliminary injunction last fall through the U.S. 10th Circuit Court, calling the law a First Amendment free speech violation. In denying her claim, the court said it based its decision on conduct regarding her role as a counselor rather than free speech.
The announcement comes less than a year and a half after the Supreme Court declined to hear a similar challenge based in Washington State.
Chiles’ filing focuses on gender identity and references the dissenting opinion of Judge Harris Hartz in the 10th Circuit’s decision citing previous professional opinions on homosexuality as a mental disorder.
“Under the majority’s position, a state law prohibiting therapy that affirmed a youth’s homosexual orientation would have faced only rational-basis review and very likely would have been upheld as constitutional,” he wrote. “I suspect that many people are grateful that those who disagreed with the common wisdom were able to make their case and change minds.”
Chiles said some of her clients want to – at times – discuss issues that “implicate Christian values about human sexuality and the treatment of their own body,” reported SCOTUSblog. She furthermore “believes clients can accept the bodies that God has given them and find peace.”
Internal conflict
Her clients approach Chiles as they are living in a manner “inconsistent with their faith or values,” which brings internal conflict, depression and anxiety.
“These clients believe their lives will be more fulfilling if aligned with the teachings of their faith, and they want to achieve freedom from what they see as harmful self-perceptions and sexual behaviors,” her filing said.
Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have enacted bans on so-called conversion therapy, which seeks to help people change their sexual identity or behavior. Five states and one territory (Puerto Rico) hold partial bans.
Looking ahead
The case is expected to be argued this fall, with a decision coming in the summer of 2026.
The announcement follows last month’s federal lawsuit filed by two Kansas City-area counselors who say a local ordinance banning conversion therapy among minors violates their free speech.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has also joined the lawsuit on behalf of the state.
“Our children have a right to therapy that allows for honest, unrestricted conversations, free from transgender indoctrination,” he said. “These ordinances represent a dangerous overreach, forcing children and counselors to conform to a radical transgender agenda.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Scott Barkley and originally published by Baptist Press.
Share with others: