The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of Christian therapist Kaley Chiles who is challenging Colorado’s ban on so called conversion therapy that targets conversations that seek to help children accept their God-given gender and sexuality.
Ms. Chiles who is a licensed counsellor is challenging Colorado’s Minor Conversion Therapy Law which “prohibits mental health professionals from providing conversion therapy to minor clients.”
A counsellor who violates the law faces fines of up to A$7,500 for each offence, suspension from practice, and, in some cases, revocation of his or her licence.
According to her lawyers, many of Ms. Chiles’ clients seek her counsel because they share her Christian worldview and faith-based values.
“These clients believe their lives will be more fulfilling if they are aligned with the teachings of their faith,” said Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).
“Yet Colorado law censors Ms. Chiles from speaking words her clients want to hear because the government does not like the view she expresses,” it added.
THE IMPACT OF CONVERSION LAW BAN ON CHILDREN SEEKING COUNSELLING
Her lawsuit alleges that while state law prohibits counseliors from encouraging clients to accept their bodies, it “allows counselling conversations that aim to steer young people toward a gender identity different than the client’s sex.”
“Such restrictions have ‘left some clinical staff fearful’ of ‘providing professional support’ to young people at all,” reads the petition.
“That result leaves detransitioners who adopted a transgender identity, but now identify with their biological sex, with no counselling support whatsoever in much of the United States.”
ADF CEO Kristen Waggoner said state officials have “no business censoring private conversations between clients and counsellors.”
“Colorado’s law prohibits what’s best for these children and sends a clear message.”
“That is the only option for children struggling with these issues is to give them dangerous and experimental drugs and surgery that will make them lifelong patients,” stated Ms. Waggoner.
SUPREME COURT MAY BE TAKING CASE BECAUSE OF DIVIDED APPEALS COURTS
One reason the Supreme Court may be taking the case is that US appeals courts appear split over how to deal with conversion therapy cases.
An appeal court upheld the Colorado ban as a regulation on Kaley Chiles conduct, not her speech, while other appeals courts have based their decisions on the right to free speech.
The Supreme Court writes: “The question presented is: Whether a law that censors certain conversations between counsellors and their clients based on the viewpoints expressed regulates conduct or violates the Free Speech Clause.”
Australia’s Human Rights Law Alliance (HRLA) writes: “This case is an important step in pushing back against laws which clearly violate free speech, freedom of religion, and parental rights.”
It notes most Australian states have similar conversion therapy laws.
“The fact that the US Supreme Court has accepted the case is a promising sign, but also demonstrates the need to continue to resist similar laws in Australia,” it said.
It will be many months before America’s highest court hears the case and most likely next year, before it releases its decision.
Photo: Alliance Defending Freedom
