Case #24-539
U.S. Supreme Court – October 7, 2025
What’s At Stake
What is the case about?
Kaley Chiles, a licensed mental health counselor, brought a lawsuit challenging Colorado’s “Minor Conversion Therapy Law,” prohibiting mental health professionals from counseling gender confused minors to be comfortable with their bodies and avoid harmful drugs and procedures.
Chiles argues the law violates her First Amendment free speech rights by censoring her conversations with clients. She argues the law discriminates based on viewpoint and cannot survive strict scrutiny.
Who is affected and how?
All licensed medical professionals and minors seeking counseling regarding gender and sexuality are affected. The law allows counseling conversations that push kids down the path of a gender identity different from their sex, but prohibits conversations that help kids grow comfortable with their sex and accept their bodies. Chiles argues this is viewpoint-based discrimination and such laws are promoting gender ideology and banning speech it dislikes.
Why does it matter?
Twenty-five states have similar laws that undermine the well-being of children struggling with gender confusion. Ninety percent of young people with gender confusion realign their identity with their sex naturally, and these laws prevent minors from receiving the counseling they desire; instead, they lock them into a path of medicalized transition.
Our Take
Independent Women believes the law is clearly unconstitutional, and it seems highly likely that SCOTUS will agree. The Court seemed receptive to Chiles’ arguments and acknowledged that the law looks like blatant viewpoint discrimination and censorship. A positive decision will preserve a child’s and family’s ability to pursue therapy that aligns with their values, not government-imposed indoctrination.
