The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Colorado’s ban on so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for LGBT individuals, ruling that the state’s prohibition violates free speech protections under the First Amendment. The decision, announced Monday, overturns a 2019 Colorado law that barred licensed therapists from engaging in practices aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Legal analysts note the ruling aligns with previous court decisions protecting speech, even when controversial. ‘The government cannot regulate speech based on its viewpoint,’ said a constitutional law scholar familiar with the case. ‘This sets a precedent that could impact similar bans in other states.’
Colorado’s law was one of more than 20 state-level bans targeting conversion therapy, which major medical associations including the American Psychological Association have condemned as harmful. However, the Supreme Court found the ban too broadly restricted professional speech between therapists and clients.
The decision is expected to reignite debates over LGBT rights and religious freedom. Advocacy groups warn it could embolden practitioners of conversion therapy, while free speech proponents hail it as a victory against government overreach.