Supreme Court Strikes Down Colorado Law Restricting Gender Identity Counseling — Family Research Council

Event summary

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Chiles v. Salazar, striking down a Colorado law that banned therapists from counseling minors against changing their gender identities.
The law permitted counseling minors to pursue or embrace gender identity change but restricted consensual conversations encouraging exploration of root causes of gender identity confusion.
Family Research Council (FRC) submitted an amicus brief arguing that affirmation of perceived gender identity could lead to irreversible, unproven, and sterilizing sex hormones and surgeries.
FRC President Tony Perkins praised the decision, calling it a win for free speech and biological reality.

The big picture

The Supreme Court's decision in Chiles v. Salazar marks a significant shift in the legal landscape surrounding gender identity counseling. The ruling underscores the tension between state regulations and First Amendment rights, potentially influencing future legislation and court cases. This decision could have far-reaching implications for the counseling profession and the broader debate on gender identity and free speech.

What we're watching

Regulatory Response: Whether Colorado or other states will attempt to enact new legislation to address the Supreme Court's ruling.
Industry Impact: How this decision will affect the counseling profession and the availability of different types of gender identity counseling.
Legal Precedent: The potential ripple effects of this ruling on other cases involving free speech and viewpoint discrimination.