SCOTUS case could shake Washington conversion therapy ban
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A case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday could force Washington and more than 20 other states to reconsider their laws banning youth conversion therapy.
The big picture: The practice, which aims to change a patient's sexual orientation or gender identity, has been discredited by leading medical associations but is now at the center of a debate over free speech.
Catch up quick: During Tuesday's hearing, the Supreme Court appeared open to a Christian counselor's argument that Colorado's ban on youth conversion therapy hampers her First Amendment rights, Axios' Maya Goldman reports.
- Lawyers for the counselor argued that Colorado didn't consider less-restrictive alternatives to a conversion therapy ban and that Colorado can't prove the counseling causes harm.
State of play: If the court rules in favor of the counselor, Washington's law could find itself on shaky legal footing.
- Like Colorado's law, the statute in Washington applies only to licensed health care providers — not to religious leaders or unlicensed counselors operating through a church.
What they're saying: "We intentionally drafted our law to respect religious freedom," state Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), the sponsor of Washington's 2018 ban, told Axios on Tuesday.
- Liias said "any move backward on protections for LGBTQ+ youth is a big concern," but the state will "of course respect the Court's decision."
What's next: A ruling in the Colorado case is expected by next June.
Go deeper: Supreme Court seems skeptical of conversion therapy ban