Supreme Court Backs Christian Counselor in Conversion Therapy Case

0:00The Supreme Court handed down an 8-1 decision in the Cheels versus Salazar case, backing a Christian counselor who challenged Colorado's ban. On Conversion Therapy, the Justices said the law raises serious First Amendment-free speech issues and kicked it back to a lower court for more review. Conversion therapy tries to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity through counseling, but is widely seen as harmful and discredited. By science, 20 states have outright bans and places like Wisconsin now call it unprofessional conduct for therapists. Conservative Justices grilled the idea that states can block therapy aimed at aligning with traditional views while allowing counseling that affirms LGBTQ identities. Justice Samuel Alito called it straight-up viewpoint discrimination during arguments. Families on both sides share painful stories, one mom lost her son to suicide after failed therapy, while the counselor argues her faith-based talk, helps kids live by their biological sex without old school harsh methods.

1:02This ruling fits a pattern where the court protects religious freedoms, but eyes LGBTQ rights more skeptically, so expect more fights over these. Therapy bans ahead. That's the story for today. Dallas News Today, Driven by AI