US Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Colorado's Conversion Therapy Ban; Rejects Republican States' Bid to Block Climate Lawsuits

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to Colorado's law banning "conversion therapy" for minors. The case involves a Christian therapist who argues the law violates her free speech rights by censoring her communications with clients. The therapist, represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, believes individuals should live consistently with their biological sex. Colorado's 2019 law prohibits licensed mental healthcare providers from engaging in conversion therapy with patients under 18, defining it as efforts to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. Violations can result in disciplinary action. In a separate matter, the Supreme Court rejected a request from 19 Republican-led states to file a complaint against five Democratic-run states pressing climate change lawsuits against oil and gas companies. The Republican states sought to derail these lawsuits, but the court declined to intervene.