Can states ban sexual orientation change efforts therapy? Supreme Court hears arguments

Michie · Tuesday at 1:03 PM

The U.S. Supreme Court will determine if states can ban licensed professionals from engaging in therapy with minors seeking to change their sexual orientation or help gender confused children accept their sex.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Tuesday morning in the case of Kaley Chiles v. Patty Salazar, executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, et al.

At issue was a challenge to a Colorado law by a Christian therapist named Kaley Chiles, who argued that the measure violates her rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

James Campbell of the Alliance Defending Freedom argued the case on behalf of Chiles, arguing that Colorado’s ban wrongfully censors “widely held views on debated moral, religious and scientific questions.”

“Aside from this law and recent ones like it, Colorado hasn’t identified any similar viewpoint-based bans on counseling,” Campbell said in his opening comments. “These laws are historic outliers.”

Continued below.

Can states ban sexual orientation change efforts therapy? Supreme Court hears arguments

The U S Supreme Court will determine if states can ban licensed professionals from engaging in therapy with minors seeking to change their sexual orientation or help gender confused children accept

www.christianpost.com

RileyG · Tuesday at 1:34 PM

I doubt it, but some people sexualities are fluid. My opinion only.

stevevw · 2025-10-08T08:23:09-0500

Up until 5 minutes ago praying and helping those affected by trans and sexual orientation or any issues in life for that matter could go see a priest or be prayed for by their church. Its what Christians have done for 2000 years lol.

If this is really about the right to live your beliefs then Christians and churches have just as much right to express and practice their beliefs. Even if that is percieved as promoting the Christian belief. Because this same right is given to all including the LGBTQ+ community.

The problem comes when the State has to act as the aribitor when these rights clash. But the State should not take sides.

But also I think mainstream medical has become indoctrinated into the ideology. The science and facts are twisted to fit the ideology to be politically correct. People don't get all the information and facts and false narratives are pushed.

This is about ideological beliefs and not the science.

Hvizsgyak · 2025-10-08T10:51:19-0500

In Christianity, Judaism and Islam practicing homosexual sex is a grave sin. If a follower of those religions wants to overcome his or her sinfulness but they need help from others, who are we to deny them the help (even coming from a counselor or psychologist). God's ways are what we faithful strive for not man's ways.

RileyG · 2025-10-08T14:54:16-0500

Hvizsgyak said:
In Christianity, Judaism and Islam practicing homosexual sex is a grave sin. If a follower of those religions wants to overcome his or her sinfulness but they need help from others, who are we to deny them the help (even coming from a counselor or psychologist). God's ways are what we faithful strive for not man's ways.

Amen!

bèlla · 2025-10-08T14:57:44-0500

If the parent requests the clergy’s presence or services that’s fine. But if an individual takes it upon themself to address the child without the parent’s knowledge that’s a problem. They’re still a minor.

~bella

Hvizsgyak · 2025-10-08T15:14:34-0500

bèlla said:
If the parent requests the clergy’s presence or services that’s fine. But if an individual takes it upon themself to address the child without the parent’s knowledge that’s a problem. They’re still a minor.

~bella

I will go along with what you are saying but for the record, I think that is messed up. If the minor feels that it is wrong (even if the parents don't think it is wrong) and seeks help from someone trained in that field, I don't think it should be denied to the minor. You look at the world as heterosexual and homosexual are two okay lifestyles. From a Christians perspective, we would prefer a minor to be heterosexual or stay single. These days, the societal correct thing that is done is "if you show signs of homosexuality then give that person everything they need to continue in that lifestyle". If that is the case then both sides should be presented to the minor so they can make an informed decision.

seeking.IAM · 2025-10-08T18:09:58-0500

The problem is conversion therapy is too often coercive. The desire for therapy is driven by others, not by the person receiving the so-called therapy. At its worst, it becomes an attempt at de-programming dressed up as a therapeutic service. Of course, the fact that its efficacy is not supported by outcomes is yet another problem. While the professional organizations and the vast majority of therapists are against it, it will be interesting to see what SCOTUS does as the country swings right.

RileyG · 2025-10-08T19:06:16-0500

seeking.IAM said:
The problem is conversion therapy is too often coercive. The desire for therapy is driven by others, not by the person receiving the so-called therapy. At its worst, it becomes an attempt at de-programming dressed up as a therapeutic service. Of course, the fact that its efficacy is not supported by outcomes is yet another problem. While the professional organizations and the vast majority of therapists are against it, it will be interesting to see what SCOTUS does as the country swings right.

It’s sort of like asking a straight person asking if they can force themselves to be attracted to the same sex. I won’t comment further, but it’s an interesting thought experiment.

bèlla · 2025-10-08T19:29:46-0500

RileyG said:
It’s sort of like asking a straight person asking if they can force themselves to be attracted to the same sex. I won’t comment further, but it’s an interesting thought experiment.

We have a lot of work to do in this area and much needed honesty as we. Many people who’ve had same-sex attractions and gone on to marry openly admit they didn’t depart. Learning how to live with it in light of one’s beliefs is the greater issue.

~bella

seeking.IAM · 2025-10-08T20:50:32-0500

RileyG said:
It’s sort of like asking a straight person asking if they can force themselves to be attracted to the same sex. I won’t comment further, but it’s an interesting thought experiment.

Exactly. That has been my contention all along. As therapists go, I consider myself more experienced and better than average. I don't have the know how or words to get a straight person to change their sexual orientation. It would be pretty arrogant of me to think that I can help a gay person change theirs -- even more so if it is because their dad or their pastor thinks they need to change, rather than thinking it themselves.

Tuur · 2025-10-09T05:09:56-0500

Reading the posts...

One grandfather was a drunk for a significant portion of his life. I know this because he told me. He told me how he got drunk, and the event that convinced him to give it up. He told me as a warning: He was convinced that a tendency toward alcoholism ran in the family. Given what we know about alcoholism, he may well have been right.

If his propensity toward alcoholism is genetic, should we think that efforts to get alcoholics "on the wagon" are useless? But if they are useless, how was it that this grandfather of mine went from being a drunk to sober the rest of his life in the span of just a few days? Shouldn't that be just as useless? If it's all useless, why did he warn me about the tendency to drink? Was he mistaken? And what of me taking his warning to heart and not drinking? Am I mistaken as well?

Remember, we're talking about something that's supposed to be "baked in." That's why my grandfather used his experience to warn me. Was my grandfather mistaken that someone with a tendency to be a sot could avoid becoming a sot? But if he was mistaken, what of his own experience?

What does his experience say about the topic under discussion, which is also supposed to be "baked in?"

Can states ban sexual orientation change efforts therapy? Supreme Court hears arguments

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