A new Supreme Court decision is drawing swift backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates, mental health experts, and civil rights organizations, who warn the ruling could weaken protections for young people.
In Chiles v. Salazar, the Court reversed a lower court’s decision upholding a Colorado law that barred licensed therapists from practicing conversion therapy on minors. The justices determined the law regulated speech, sending the case back to a lower court for further review under stricter constitutional standards.
While the ruling does not immediately strike down all bans, advocates say it signals a shift that could complicate efforts to protect LGBTQ+ youth nationwide.
What the Decision Means
At the center of the case is whether states can restrict what licensed professionals say in therapy sessions. The Court’s opinion frames conversion therapy bans as a matter of free speech rather than medical regulation.
That distinction matters. Laws regulating professional conduct typically face less scrutiny than those seen as limiting speech. By reclassifying the issue, the Court may make it harder for states to enforce or pass similar protections.
More than 20 states currently have laws restricting conversion therapy for minors. Those laws remain in place for now, but legal challenges could follow.
Advocates Warn of Real-World Consequences
The Trevor Project responded quickly, calling the decision a setback for youth safety.
“The Supreme Court’s decision to treat the dangerous practice of conversion therapy as constitutionally protected speech is a tragic step backward,” said CEO Jaymes Black in a statement. “These efforts… are still proven to cause lasting psychological harm.”
The organization points to research showing LGBTQ+ youth who undergo conversion therapy are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to peers. Its 2024 national survey found 13% of LGBTQ+ young people reported being threatened with or subjected to such practices.
A Long-Rejected Practice
Major medical groups have long opposed conversion therapy, including the American Psychological Association, American Medical Association, and American Psychiatric Association.
They argue the practice lacks scientific support and can lead to depression, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms. Estimates place the annual economic burden of conversion therapy-related harm in the U.S. at over $9 billion.
Despite that consensus, advocates say the Court’s framing risks giving new legal footing to providers who continue offering the practice.
Impact on Black LGBTQ+ Youth
National Black Justice Collective also condemned the ruling, emphasizing its disproportionate impact.
“Conversion therapy is not a medically recognized mental health practice. It is torture,” said CEO David J. Johns. He added that Black LGBTQ+ youth already face barriers to affirming care, making them more vulnerable in the wake of the decision.
The group warned that the ruling could allow harmful practices to persist under the label of counseling, even as experts reject their legitimacy.
What Hasn’t Changed
Even with the Court’s decision, several key points remain unchanged.
Conversion therapy is still widely condemned by the medical community. Survivors may continue to pursue civil claims, including malpractice or emotional distress. And many states still enforce bans while legal questions play out.
Public opinion has also shifted. Recent polling shows a majority of U.S. adults support making conversion therapy for minors illegal.
A Message to LGBTQ+ Youth
Advocates are also focusing on reassurance.
Black emphasized that, regardless of legal developments, support remains available. The Trevor Project continues to offer 24/7 crisis services for LGBTQ+ young people.
“This is not the outcome we wanted,” Black said. “But our community has faced difficult moments before, and we will face this one together.”
As legal battles continue, organizations say their priority remains unchanged: ensuring LGBTQ+ youth have access to care that affirms who they are, not tries to change it.
