Common Dreams, an independent, non-profit news source supporting the progressive community since 1997, has been reporting on significant legal developments impacting LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive healthcare access.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Colorado's Conversion Therapy Ban

The Supreme Court recently overturned Colorado's prohibition against mental health providers attempting to "convert" or change a minor's sexual orientation. This practice, known as conversion therapy, is defined by the American Psychological Association as any treatment purporting to change sexual orientation or gender identity.

Advocates emphasize that conversion therapy is proven to cause lasting psychological harm. Data indicates that young people subjected to these practices are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide.

The Legal Arguments and Dissent

The majority opinion, which included Justice Kagan joining the conservatives, argued that Colorado's law unconstitutionally "censors speech based on viewpoint," thus necessitating strict judicial review, which the law failed to pass. The law had included exemptions for religious organizations and pastors.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a lone dissent, arguing that the therapy constituted action taken in a professional capacity, not mere speech. She warned that the ruling "opens a dangerous can of worms" and could impair states' abilities to regulate medical care, stating, "I fear that the people of this country will get burned."

Justice Kagan concurred that while the practice is harmful, the specific Colorado ban might have been overly broad. She expressed concern that outlawing this therapy could inadvertently provide a legal blueprint for conservative states to ban affirmative care for LGBTQ+ minors.

Advocates Decry Ruling and Survivors Share Testimony

LGBTQ+ rights organizations strongly condemned the decision, anticipating it will weaken existing bans in the 23 states and D.C. that currently prohibit conversion therapy.

Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black stated, "These efforts, no matter what proponents call them... are still proven to cause lasting psychological harm." He noted that protections are supported by every major medical and mental health association.

Carl Charles, a senior attorney at Lambda Legal and a survivor of the practice at age 15, shared his experience. He explained that the therapy destroyed relationships and created long-lasting shame and fear, emphasizing, "LGBTQ+ youth do not need to be changed... Rather, like all youth, they need to be supported and celebrated."

Broader Threats to Reproductive Healthcare

Beyond the conversion therapy ruling, the article highlights ongoing efforts by far-right legal groups to restrict access to birth control, echoing fears that rights established under Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) are under threat.

Targeting Contraception Coverage Mandates

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is actively working to undermine the Affordable Care Act's mandate requiring insurance coverage for preventive health services without cost-sharing, including various forms of contraception.

ADF specifically targets the role of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) in advising the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on which services qualify for coverage. ADF claims ACOG improperly uses HHS funds to promote "gender ideology" and abortion advocacy.

Conservatives object to the mandated coverage of IUDs and emergency contraception like Plan B, falsely claiming these methods cause abortion by preventing embryo implantation. ADF seeks robust religious or moral exemptions for employers wishing to deny coverage.

Calls for Action and Political Context

In response to the Supreme Court's actions, some advocates urged immediate personal action. One commentator advised, "If you have a uterus, it's a great time to get permanent birth control, and stock up on some Plan B and Ella."

In states like California, lawmakers are moving to protect access. State Sen. Scott Weiner introduced legislation to extend the statute of limitations and ease malpractice claims against professionals who perform conversion therapy, noting the Supreme Court ruling distinguished malpractice claims from outright bans.

The article concludes by noting that political figures, including former President Trump, have sent mixed signals, but allied groups continue their campaign to restrict reproductive freedom nationwide.