The American Psychiatric Association has expressed deep concern over a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that could allow LGBTQ+ children to undergo conversion therapy in states where it is banned.
On Tuesday, a majority of the court’s justices ruled against a 2019 Colorado state law that protects children from mental health professionals who practice conversion therapy — pseudoscientific and harmful practices that attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Colorado Law Protecting Children Challenged in Court
In a statement, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) said that the decision “will potentially harm many LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly minors, who will no longer be protected by state laws against conversion therapy.”
It noted that “being LGBTQ+ is not a mental illness or disorder” and that conversion therapy “is not a legitimate therapeutic treatment”.
The APA added that it, alongside other leading healthcare bodies, “have concluded that these are potentially harmful, discredited practices and are not supported by scientific evidence.”
Christian Counsellor Challenges Ban on Conversion Therapy
The case centred on a Christian counsellor, Kaley Chiles, who challenged the law by claiming that it restricted her freedom of speech by preventing her from engaging with families seeking help with their children’s identity or sexuality.
Supporters of the law argued that the state has the authority to define professional standards and restrict harmful conduct or speech among mental health professionals. They maintained that this regulation differs from restrictions placed on other forms of speech.
Supreme Court Ruling Raises Concerns About Wider Impact
A majority of Supreme Court justices sided with Chiles and sent the law back to a lower appeals court for re-evaluation, this time considering arguments related to free speech. Observers believe this could ultimately result in the law being struck down.
Advocates warn that the decision may also affect similar laws in 23 other states that restrict conversion therapy practices.
Human Rights Campaign Condemns Decision
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which filed an amicus brief in support of Colorado’s law, described the court’s ruling as “reckless”.
“The Court has weaponised free speech in order to prioritise anti-LGBTQ+ bias over the safety, health and wellbeing of children,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson.
“So-called ‘conversion therapy’ is pseudoscience, not real therapy. It has been condemned by every mainstream medical and mental health association and harms families, traumatises children and robs people of their faith communities.”
She added that “It is cruel and should never be offered under the guise of legitimate mental healthcare. To undermine protections that keep kids and families safe from these abusive practices is shocking — and our children deserve better.”
What Is Conversion Therapy?
Conversion therapy is often cloaked in pseudoscientific language or religious judgement and may take the form of counselling, prayer sessions, exorcisms, beatings, humiliation, fasting, and even rape.
A 2020 report by Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the UN’s Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity at the time, urged countries to outlaw conversion therapy, highlighting its association with depression and increased suicide rates.
While momentum has grown globally to ban or restrict conversion therapy, the Supreme Court’s decision reflects a broader conservative backlash against LGBTQ+ rights that could stall that progress.
