Supreme Court Spotlight: The Controversial Therapy Facing Off Against LGBTQ+ Rights for Youth

The US Supreme Court is set to hear a pivotal case regarding the constitutionality of a Colorado statute that bars licensed mental health professionals from administering conversion therapy to minors. This discredited practice claims to transform individuals from LGBTQ+ identities to heterosexual, or to align transgender individuals with their sex at birth. Numerous studies demonstrate its ineffectiveness and potential for serious harm, including heightened suicide risks and psychological issues such as anxiety and depression. While 23 states prohibit this therapy, over 1,300 practitioners reportedly still operate across the US. A survey indicates that 1 in 20 LGBTQ+ youth has endured conversion therapy, with alarming statistics revealing that 200,000 transgender individuals have been affected. Critics, including mental health professionals, argue that the practice inflicts lasting emotional damage. As the case progresses, experts warn of escalating attempts to legitimize conversion practices under the guise of “exploratory therapy.” The implications for LGBTQ+ youth's mental well-being remain profound.