Supreme Court Rules ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban Violates First Amendment

The case, Chiles v. Salazar, was brought by a therapist who alleged Colorado’s ban violated her right to free expression.

Members of the group "Concerned Women for America" pray outside the US Supreme Court as the Court hears oral arguements in Chiles v. Salazar, a landmark case on "conversion therapy," in Washington, on October 7, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds /AFP via Getty Images

The Supreme Court ruled on March 31 that Colorado’s ban on so-called conversion therapy for minors conflicted with therapists’ right to free speech.

In an 8–1 decision, the justices said a lower court erred in its decision not to block the law. The court’s majority opinion was written by Justice Neil Gorsuch.