Supreme Court Declines to Hear Conversion Therapy Case

Washington State's Restrictions on Conversion Therapy Remain in Place

The Supreme Court declined to hear a case challenging Washington state's restrictions on conversion therapy, leaving the restrictions in place.
Conversion therapy is a discredited method of counseling that attempts to change LGBTQ patients' sexual orientation or gender identity.
The decision not to hear the case was surprising as lower federal appeals courts are divided on whether conversion therapy is protected by the First Amendment.
Only three members of the Court — Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh — voted to hear the case.
The plaintiff challenging Washington’s conversion therapy law argued that the law violates both his free speech rights and his right to freely practice his religion.