This week, several LBGTQ+ organizations are rallying to uphold Colorado’s law banning “conversion therapy” on minors. Chiles v. Salazar is challenging the 2019 law that anyone under the age of 18 years old cannot be subject to licensed medical practices that attempt to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Advocacy and health organizations in Colorado just submitted an amicus brief that urges the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the banning of conversion therapy.
The challenger, Kaley Chiles, argues that the ban violates the First Amendment—specifically Free Speech and Free Exercise of Religion. Chiles is being represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative hate organization responsible for the overturning of Roe V. Wade in 2022.
At odds with Chiles’ apparently “sincere” and oh-so-kind-hearted religious beliefs, are the thousands of queer youths who are actively being harmed by conversion therapy. In a press release, Rocky Mountain Equality cited that “youth who undergo conversion therapy are at significantly higher risk of depression, suicidality, and lowered self-esteem.” Additionally, that conversion therapy tears families apart with false promises, and that it causes “poor educational and economic outcomes” that prevent these youths from living fulfilling lives.
However, organizations are fighting back. Dr. Bruce Parker, COO of Rocky Mountain Equality spoke out, saying, “Conversion therapy is not therapy, it is abuse…this law does exactly what states are supposed to do, it protects children from harm.”
We need laws like this to protect our youths, and despite whatever propaganda conservatives have been fed about the “gay agenda” and “trans ideology,” at the end of the day it is young people dying. And these very same conservatives who are vying for conversion therapy to “save their children,” are refusing to fund children’s mental health programs.
We can only hope that this amicus brief will influence the U.S. Supreme Court to make the right decision, and protect our youths from further harm.
