Supreme Court Turns Away Challenge to Law Banning Conversion Therapy

The Supreme Court said on Monday that it would not hear a First Amendment challenge to a Washington State law banning professional counseling services intended to change a minor’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Brett M. Kavanaugh dissented.

The challenged law forbids licensed therapists there from performing conversion therapy, which it defines to include “efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.” The law permits counseling that promotes “acceptance, support and understanding.”