Developing Story
Chiles v. Salazar – Conversion Therapy Case & Unusual SCOTUS Coalition (2026)
The Supreme Court upheld Colorado's conversion therapy ban in Chiles v. Salazar, producing what observers described as a non-partisan or unusual judicial coalition, per SCOTUSblog. The case has significant implications for First Amendment professional speech doctrine, state regulatory authority, and the intersection of LGBTQ+ rights and religious liberty. The decision's coalition dynamics are being closely analyzed by Court watchers.
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## Overview
In *Chiles v. Salazar*, the Supreme Court held that a Colorado conversion therapy ban was constitutional, producing what observers described as a non-partisan or unusual coalition among the justices. (SCOTUSblog, April 17)
## Holding
The Supreme Court upheld Colorado's conversion therapy ban, per SCOTUSblog (April 17). The specific constitutional grounds and vote breakdown are subjects of ongoing legal commentary.
## The 'Non-Partisan Puzzle'
SCOTUSblog commentators noted the case produced an unusual judicial coalition that did not align with conventional conservative/liberal divisions. (SCOTUSblog, April 17). This may reflect:
- The intersection of First Amendment (compelled/prohibited speech) and parental rights claims, which do not map cleanly onto ideological blocs
- The influence of prior precedent (e.g., *NIFLA v. Becerra*) cutting across ideological lines
- Strategic coalition-building by the majority opinion author
## Legal Significance
### First Amendment & Professional Speech
Conversion therapy bans raise fundamental First Amendment questions about government regulation of professional speech—therapist-client communications. The Court's holding has implications for the scope of states' ability to regulate professional advice and counseling.
### State Regulatory Authority
The decision affirms (to whatever extent) Colorado's authority to ban the practice, with potential implications for similar laws in other states currently facing or anticipating challenges.
### LGBTQ+ Rights & Religious Liberty Intersection
Conversion therapy bans sit at the intersection of LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination protections and religious liberty/parental rights claims. The decision's reasoning will be studied by advocates on both sides.
## Implications for Practitioners
- Mental health and counseling professionals and their licensing boards need to review compliance obligations
- States with pending or planned conversion therapy bans have new guidance on constitutional limits
- First Amendment litigators should study the opinion's treatment of professional speech doctrine
## Open Questions
- The precise vote count and whether any justices wrote notable concurrences or dissents
- How the decision affects pending challenges to similar bans in other states
- Whether the 'unusual coalition' reflects a durable doctrinal shift