Joseph Fons waves a rainbow flag in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 15, 2020, in Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments Tuesday in a case involving conversion therapy. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 7 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court's conservative justices signaled Tuesday they were likely to side with a Christian therapist who argued that Colorado's ban on conversion therapy violates her free speech rights.
The case stems from a lawsuit by Kaley Chiles, a licensed counselor whose practice is based in Christianity who says the Colorado law prevents her from assisting her minor clients who seek "to live a life consistent with their faith."
Conversion therapy can include psychological, behavioral, physical and faith-based practices that are intended to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identification. Opponents point to evidence that it is harmful and leads to more serious psychological problems for people who experience it. Roughly half of states have banned it.
However, the court's justices argued whether the conversion therapy banned by Colorado's law is harmful to minors and if it was a violation of the Constitution's free speech protections or regulation of medical treatment.
