March 11, 2025 - Westerville, OH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The United States Supreme Court announced on Monday, March 10, 2025, that it would hear arguments in Chiles v. Salazar et al. The case, brought by a counselor who identifies as a Christian and who, while not guaranteeing any specific results, nevertheless works from her definition of a "Christian" worldview with clients who share that worldview, particularly regarding sexuality and gender identity. She argues that a Colorado law that regulates the practice of "conversion" therapy by certain licensed professionals violates her First Amendment rights of free speech and the free exercise of religion.
The US 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for the state, arguing that the law regulates the professional conduct of counselors, not their speech.
LOVEboldly categorically rejects the idea and use of conversion "therapy." We believe God creates LGBTQIA+ people just as they are and does not require them to change their sexual orientation, deny their gender transition, or detransition. In addition to our theological perspective, we lift up the significant body of research that has debunked conversion "therapy" as junk science. Indeed, the lived experiences of conversion "therapy" survivors shows that conversion "therapy" is more akin to torture than any form of therapeutic intervention.
LOVEboldly implores the US Supreme Court to rule for the state and to uphold bans on the practice of conversion "therapy."
In Ohio, thirteen cities have taken the step to ban conversion "therapy" within their jurisdictions. There is currently a bill in the Ohio General Assembly, Senate Bill 71, which aims to ban conversion "therapy" statewide.
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