What did Supreme Court decide on conversion therapy bans?

Supreme Court rejected Colorado’s conversion therapy ban for LGBTQ minors

The Supreme Court ruled against a Colorado law that banned “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ minors. The decision means the ban cannot be enforced in Colorado, despite efforts in multiple states to outlaw the practice.

What was at stake

Colorado’s statute sought to prevent licensed professionals and other providers from attempting to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity in minors. The Court’s ruling against the ban places limits on states that have adopted similar restrictions, because it resolves whether such bans can stand.

Why it matters for public health

Conversion therapy is widely viewed by major medical and mental health groups as harmful and discredited. It is also a category of care that targets children and adolescents who may be particularly vulnerable to stress, stigma, and mental health harms.

The ruling is important because states’ ability to protect minors depends on what courts allow. A Supreme Court decision can shape policy in other states that have enacted similar bans, potentially affecting how quickly protections can be expanded.

What we know from the reporting

The news coverage describes the Court’s outcome and identifies Colorado as one of about two dozen states that have banned conversion therapy for minors. The snippet does not provide the Court’s reasoning or whether the decision affects adult bans, but it clearly ends Colorado’s effort.

Bottom line

The decision undermines Colorado’s ability to prohibit conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors, with broader implications for similar laws nationwide.