Supreme Court weighs ban on counseling for kids struggling with their biological sex Justices consider Colorado law outlawing counseling that helps children embrace their biological sex

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court heard a case brought by Alliance Defending Freedom today involving a Colorado law that bans compassionate counseling for children struggling with their biological sex. In Chiles v. Salazar, licensed counselor Kaley Chiles is asking the Court to protect her ability to talk with children about the underlying causes of their discomfort without being forced to push them towards harmful, irreversible medical interventions. Becket filed a friend-of-the-court brief in favor of Chiles, explaining that Colorado’s law disproportionately harms religious youth who want to receive compassionate, cautious, scientifically backed talk therapy that helps them accept their God-given bodies. Read more about the cases Becket is watching at the Court this term here.

Recent years have seen an explosion in the number of children who are struggling with their biological sex. Many of these children have been led down a path of “gender transition”—enduring a regime of drugs, hormones, and surgeries—which often results in profound regret and permanent health harms. The harms are so significant that 26 states and several European countries have banned or strictly limited medical gender transitions for children, advocating instead for compassionate counseling to alleviate their gender-related distress. Unfortunately, Colorado bans this compassionate approach, forcing therapists like Kaley Chiles to turn away children who want her help accepting their bodies or risk losing her license and suffering crippling fines. Meanwhile, Colorado Medicaid will pay for minors to have cross-sex hormones, mastectomies, and even genital surgeries—permanently stripping young girls of the opportunity to ever bear or nurse children.

“At a moment when kids nationwide are struggling to accept their God-given bodies, states shouldn’t be muzzling faith-based counselors who want to help,” said Adèle Keim, senior counsel at Becket. “Counselors like Kaley Chiles help young people who want to slow down, ask questions, and talk through their distress. If Colorado is allowed to ban that compassionate, science-backed approach, vulnerable kids will pay the price.”

Faith-based counselors nationwide, including Becket’s clients in Catholic Charities v. Whitmer, help youth experiencing gender-related distress by using a cautious approach. They talk with children to address the underlying causes of their discomfort, alleviate their distress, and, if possible, help them to accept their bodies without resorting to irreversible, life-altering medical intervention. This approach is supported by the best available scientific evidence and reflected in recently enacted laws in dozens of states and several European countries. Becket is urging the Court to protect counselors who want to help children work through the underlying causes of their distress without rushing into irreversible medical procedures. 

“Experts around the world are urging caution when it comes to treating children struggling to accept their biological sex,” said Keim. “Banning counseling that offers young people a slow and compassionate approach flies in the face of emerging medical consensus and basic human decency. We’re hopeful the Court will protect counselors who are helping kids in need.” 

A ruling is expected by the end of the Court’s term by June 2026.

For more information or to arrange an interview with a Becket attorney, contact Ryan Colby at [email protected] or 202-349-7219.