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Supreme Court rules Colorado conversion therapy ban violates First Amendment

newsApr 1, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that Colorado's 2019 ban on conversion therapy for minors violates the First Amendment. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the opinion, saying the law regulated speech based on viewpoint. The Court acknowledged evidence that conversion therapy can harm LGBTQ people, but framed the dispute as a restriction on speech. The decision constrains states' ability to ban counseling against gender transition and alters the legal landscape for professional speech regulation nationwide.

Key Highlights

Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that Colorado's 2019 ban violates First Amendment.
Opinion authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch found law regulated speech based on viewpoint.
Court acknowledged evidence of harm but focused decision on speech protections.
3 sources
nytimes.comJustices Reject Colorado Law Banning ‘Conversion Therapy’ for L.G.B.T.Q. Minorsohiocapitaljournal.comU.S. Supreme Court rules against Colorado ban on conversion therapy • Ohio Capital Journalopen.substack.comThe Supreme Court Ruled on Conversion Therapy Yesterday. Here Is What It Actually Said.

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