Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association Statement on Chiles v. Salazar

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association is deeply concerned by the March 31, 2026, decision of the United States Supreme Court in Chiles v. Salazar, which holds that state restrictions on conversion therapy for minors may violate the First Amendment.

While we respect the role of the Court in adjudicating constitutional questions, we strongly disagree with the conclusion that laws designed to protect vulnerable youth from demonstrably harmful practices constitute impermissible regulation of an individual’s speech. For decades, leading medical, psychological, and public health authorities have recognized so-called conversion therapy as ineffective, discredited, and harmful, particularly for young people.

The LGBTQ community knows, from both lived experience and extensive research, that conversion therapy inflicts real and lasting harm. It contributes to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality among LGBTQ youth, outcomes that no legal framework should enable or ignore. As lawyers and advocates, we affirm a fundamental principle that every person deserves the dignity of living openly and authentically, without force, coercion or efforts to change who they are. The law should protect that dignity, not erode it.

We remain committed to advancing legal protections for LGBTQ individuals, supporting evidence based mental health practices, and working with policymakers to ensure that all people, especially vulnerable young people, are treated with equal respect, integrity, and care.