"Supporters of the law say it was a response to a mental health crisis among Colorado teens and evidence that the practice has led to increased depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and attempts. A study from the Trevor Project found that young people who reported going through conversion therapy were more than twice as likely to have reported attempting suicide."
"Chiles' lawyers say the ban favors the expression of some views over others, by forbidding therapists from encouraging youths with gender dysphoria from realigning their identity with their birth sex but allowing support for a person transitioning from his or her birth sex. Colorado says the law is part of its broader regulation of licensed mental health professionals. It argues there's no therapeutic need or ability to change variations in gender identity,"
A 2019 Colorado law banned conversion therapy for minors. Supporters framed the ban as a response to a teen mental health crisis, citing links between conversion therapy and increased depression, anxiety and suicidal behavior. A Trevor Project study found youth who experienced conversion therapy were more than twice as likely to report attempted suicide. A conservative legal group represents a Christian therapist who challenges the ban as a de facto gag order violating First Amendment rights, with the federal administration supporting the challenge. Colorado defends the ban as routine regulation of licensed mental health professionals and says gender identity reflects normal human diversity. Appeals courts are split on whether talk therapy is regulated practice or protected speech, creating broader First Amendment and occupational licensing questions.
Read at Axios
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