US Supreme Court rules against ban on 'conversion therapy' for LGBTQ minors

The US Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Colorado's 2019 ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors violates the free speech rights of licensed practitioners, siding with a Christian therapist who challenged the law. Conversion therapy refers to discredited practices intended to change sexual orientation or gender identity. The decision strikes down one of the state's protections for minors, who cannot legally consent to the practice and face documented risks including depression and suicide. The ruling suggests the Court views restrictions on such therapies as impermissible limits on professional speech rather than health regulations. The decision could affect similar bans in other states and signals the Court's current skepticism toward laws that regulate speech based on the viewpoint or content expressed.