The Supreme Court case that will likely overturn conversion therapy bans in the U.S.
The Christian legal group is currently trying to convince the Supreme Court to overturn Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy.
Words by Jake Angelo, Uncloseted Media
On 7 October, the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) heard oral arguments in Chiles v. Salazar, a case that challenges Colorado’s ban on so-called “conversion therapy.”
Shortly after, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) sent an email to their supporters quoting Paul in Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
The email goes on to say, “You might think that a law like this might be just a ‘Colorado problem.’ Sadly, laws like this exist in 22 other states,” referencing other parts of the US that have instituted conversion therapy bans.
This sort of language is nothing new for the Christian legal group representing Kaley Chiles. Unlike most legal organisations, ADF is sharply anti-LGBTQ. Since their inception over 30 years ago, the group has fought to maintain anti-sodomy laws, uphold the right to discriminate against gay couples and overturn Roe v. Wade.
In recent years, a major element of their fight has been to legalise the discredited practice of conversion therapy.
SCOTUS appears poised to rule in favour of ADF, which could effectively invalidate conversion therapy bans for minors by licensed professionals across the US. This victory would add to the organisation’s already-high win streak, which they say is around 80 per cent.