A Reasoned Argument Against Colorado’s Therapy Censorship Law

Information:

Colorado's Minor Conversion Therapy Law, enacted in 2019. This law:

• Prohibits licensed mental health professionals from engaging in any practice or treatment — including talk therapy — that seeks to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Specifically bans efforts to reduce or eliminate same-sex attraction, or to change behaviors or gender expressions.
• Allows therapy that supports gender transition, identity exploration, and acceptance, but not therapy aimed at helping a child align with their biological sex.
• Violations can result in fines up to $5,000 and potential loss of license.

The current Supreme Court case, Chiles v. Salazar, centers on Kaley Chiles, a licensed Christian counselor from Colorado Springs. She argues that the law violates her First Amendment rights by censoring her ability to have voluntary, faith-informed conversations with minors who want help aligning their identity with their biological sex.

Listen to the oral arguments from the US Supreme Court case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q72KuLvE7nk

Our Argument:

This law isn’t about banning harmful practices — it’s about silencing therapists who want to help children explore their identity in a way that aligns with their faith, biology, and emotional well-being. It’s not about telling kids to “just not be gay.” It’s about teaching them God’s design for identity and helping them navigate the confusion and pressure they face in today’s culture.

Right now, society is pushing children to identify with one of many gender or sexual labels — often prematurely and without addressing the deeper emotional or environmental struggles they’re facing. Therapists who support traditional values aren’t ignoring these struggles; they’re working to get to the root of them. They’re helping kids process emotions, trauma, and identity in a healthy, stable way — not through drastic changes, but through understanding and support.

Unfortunately, the current cultural narrative tells children that if a boy likes dolls, he must be gay, or if a girl is a tomboy, she must be a boy. This oversimplification is damaging. Instead of recognizing that children go through phases and have diverse interests, we’re rushing to label and medicalize them — often with irreversible consequences.

Children need stability, clear boundaries, and guidance rooted in truth. When we remove those foundations — including basic biology and moral principles — we leave them vulnerable, confused, and emotionally unanchored. This law prevents therapists from offering that stability and guidance, and in doing so, it risks increasing the very mental health crises it claims to address.

We must protect our children by allowing therapists to speak truth, offer holistic care, and help kids find peace with who they are — not push them toward drastic decisions they may later regret.