Conversion therapy—treatment performed for the purpose of changing a patient’s sexual orientation or gender identity—is scientifically proven to harm LGBTQ minors. Children who undergo conversion therapy are far more likely than their peers to attempt suicide and experience things like anger, hopelessness, deteriorated relationships with friends and family, loss of faith, poor self-image, and problematic substance use. Because of these harms, Colorado enacted the Minor Conversion Therapy Law (MCTL), which prohibits mental healthcare professionals from seeking to change a minor client’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Kaley Chiles, a Colorado counselor, filed a lawsuit challenging the MCTL on First Amendment grounds. The trial court rejected her arguments, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed. Chiles then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Even though Chiles has not raised religious-freedom arguments, several conservative legal groups filed amicus briefs before the Supreme Court in which they portrayed the MCTL as anti-religion. So, on August 26, 2025, on behalf of 23 faith groups, we filed an amicus brief to set the record straight. Our brief argues that the MCTL is not anti-religion but is rather religiously neutral and generally applicable. The brief also demonstrates that many people of faith support the MCTL and oppose conversion therapy because of a shared commitment to building and fostering communities that celebrate diversity and embrace humanity in its fullest; communities where all members feel safe, included, and supported.
