The legal clash over a Colorado law banning conversion therapy for minors has reached the U.S. Supreme Court, with Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell at the front line of defense. The law in question bars licensed health professionals from attempting to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity, a practice considered by many to be both harmful and ineffective. According to Mass.gov, a coalition of 21 attorneys general, including Campbell, has submitted an amicus brief in support of upholding the statute.
The controversy stems from a legal challenge posed by a licensed counselor, who argued that this ban infringes on her free-speech rights. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit sided with the state, asserting Colorado's right to regulate mental-health professionals and prevent them from engaging in harmful medical practices. The U.S. Supreme Court is slated to hear oral arguments on the issue come October 7, 2025. The case not only spotlights the disputed practice but it also tests the limits of free speech within the realm of regulated professional conduct.
The brief, supported by 20 states and the District of Columbia, makes a strong case against conversion therapy. It cites a lack of evidence for the method's effectiveness and underscores the considerable risks it poses to mental health, particularly for youths. These dangers include a heightened risk of suicide and depression. The document also argues that professional healthcare standards necessitate the prohibition of such practices which, by all accounts, fall below the accepted level of care for mental health practitioners.
On a broader scale, the brief's proponents contend that a ruling against the Colorado law could unravel states' authority to regulate the conduct of professionals within their borders—a power they have wielded throughout most of American history. This argument echoes the concerns of the medical community at large, as major health organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association have all condemned conversion therapy practices.
Joining forces with AG Campbell, attorneys general from coast to coast have made their opposition clear. The list includes California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin—all echoing a message of support for Colorado's efforts to safeguard the welfare of minors and uphold the integrity of mental health care.
