The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments in Chiles v. Salazar, a First Amendment challenge by counselor Kaley Chiles to Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors by licensed professionals [allsides.com#3][cbsnews.com#4][pbs.org#5]. The outcome could shape whether more than 20 states can enforce similar laws [nytimes.com#1]. At issue is whether such bans regulate professional conduct or restrict protected speech [nytimes.com#1].
Highlights:
- Core question: Justices are weighing whether Colorado’s law is a regulation of professional conduct or a restriction on protected speech [nytimes.com#1].
- Case specifics: The case, Chiles v. Salazar, was brought by Colorado Springs counselor Kaley Chiles, who argues the ban violates the First Amendment [allsides.com#3].
- Who is covered: Colorado’s ban applies to licensed counselors and prohibits performing conversion therapy on minors [cbsnews.com#4].
- Wider impact: The ruling could affect similar conversion therapy laws in more than 20 states [nytimes.com#1].
- State landscape: Nearly half of U.S. states have passed bans on conversion therapy for children [seattletimes.com#2].
Perspectives:
- Kaley Chiles: Argues Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors violates licensed counselors’ First Amendment rights. (AllSides)
- State of Colorado: Defends the law as a permissible regulation of professional conduct intended to protect minors rather than restrict speech. (The New York Times)
Sources:
- Supreme Court Hears Free Speech Challenge to Ban on Conversion Therapy – nytimes.com
- Supreme Court hears arguments on whether states can ban conversion therapy for LBGTQ+ kids – seattletimes.com
- U.S. Supreme Court to hear arguments in First Amendment challenge to Colorado’s conversion therapy ban – allsides.com
- Supreme Court to hear free-speech clash over Colorado "conversion therapy" ban – cbsnews.com
- LISTEN LIVE: Supreme Court hears case on Colorado’s conversion therapy ban – pbs.org
