Supreme Court lets stand Washington state law barring conversion therapy for minors

The Supreme Court on Monday let stand a Washington state law prohibiting licensed health care professionals from practicing “conversion therapy” – a scientifically discredited practice intended to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity – as it applies to minors.

Critics say the practice – which attempts to convert people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning – into straight or cisgender people, causes serious emotional harm and can have deadly results.

The practice ranges from psychotherapy to medical and faith-based methods that can include talk therapy, hormone or steroid treatment or faith-based consultation.

The vote was 6-3, with Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas publicly saying they would have taken up the case.

Thomas wrote in a five-page dissent that he would have taken up the case to consider a First Amendment challenge to the law.

Under the state law, Thomas wrote, “licensed counselors cannot voice anything other than the state-approved opinion on minors with gender dysphoria without facing punishment.”