The Daily A Consequential Supreme Court Term Begins With a Conversion Therapy Case
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Oct 9, 2025 Ann E. Marimow, Supreme Court correspondent for The New York Times, dives into the significant Colorado conversion therapy case. She discusses the contentious nature of conversion therapy and its implications for over 20 states. The dialogue explores whether conversion therapy is considered speech or medical treatment and the potential restrictions it could place on counseling topics. With insights into the justices’ probing questions, Ann highlights the broader ramifications of the case for minors and medical ethics.
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Court Balances Power And Culture Cases
- The Supreme Court's new term mixes presidential-power cases with culture-war disputes like conversion therapy bans.
- These early cases signal the court will shape both governance and social-policy landscapes for years.
Therapist's Lawsuit Origins
- Kaylee Childs, a Colorado therapist, sued after the state's 2019 law banning conversion therapy for minors.
- She says the law chills her voluntary conversations with faith-based referrals and challenges her free speech rights.
Speech Versus Medical Treatment Distinction
- The therapist's lawyers framed conversion therapy as protected speech distinct from medical procedures.
- If treated as pure speech, the law may face strict First Amendment scrutiny as viewpoint-based regulation.