WASHINGTON − TheSupreme Courtis diving back into the culture wars, debating whether states can block licensed therapists from attempting to change a young person's sexuality or gender identity. The court on Oct. 7 is considering aChristian counselor's claimthat Colorado's ban on"conversion therapy"violates her free speech rights. Colorado officials argue the state's 2019 law − which is similar to restrictions in about half the states − is needed because of "overwhelming evidence" that conversion therapy harms young people, including by increasing the risk of depression and suicide. Supreme Court weighs conversion therapy:What's at stake for kids The case comes months after the high court ruled in June that states can bangender affirming care for minors. And the justices will consider later this term whether states can prevent transgender girls and women from playing on female sports teams. Follow along for updates of today's arguments. In 2023, the Supreme Courtrejected a similar challengeto Washington state's law brought by a Christian marriage and family counselor. Three conservative justices −Clarence Thomas,Samuel Alitoand Brett Kavanaugh − said they would have granted that appeal. It takes four justices to agree to hear a case. Thomas said the state's law "is viewpoint-based and content-based discrimination in its purest form." From 'hate state' to pioneer:Colorado has another LGBTQ+ case at Supreme Court Shannon W. Stevenson, Colorado's chief appellate lawyer, is defending the state's ban. She was appointed solicitor general in 2023 by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is running for governor. More:The future of LGBTQ+ conversion therapy may depend on this Supreme Court case. What to know Jim Campbell, the chief legal counsel with theAlliance Defending Freedom, is representing Kaley Chiles, the Colorado counselor challenging the state's conversion therapy ban. Alliance Defending Freedom is a conservative legal organization that has appeared frequently at the court in recent years in cases involving high-profile social issues. Those included a successful 2023 case brought bya Colorado web designerwho said having to create websites for same-sex weddings would violate her free speech rights. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Supreme Court debates 'conversion therapy' bans. Live coverage.
