“LGBTQ+ youth do not need to be changed. Rather, like all youth, they need to be supported and celebrated for the unique and important people they are becoming.”
(Atlanta, GA, March 31, 2026) – The U.S. Supreme Court today struck down Colorado’s ban on licensed mental health professionals’ use of conversion therapy on minors. This discredited and harmful practice purports to “change” the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ+ people, but it is a well-documented source of long-lasting pain and trauma, especially for LGBTQ+ youth. Carl Charles, the Elayne Cassidy Nicholas Memorial Counsel for Trans and Nonbinary Rights, Lambda Legal, issued the following statement:
“I know firsthand the long-lasting harms of conversion therapy, having been subjected to it when I was 15 years old. This practice did not change my sexual orientation or gender identity. Instead, it destroyed important relationships and created shame and fear that took time and effort to undo. For many survivors, it is a reverberating life-long harm.
“I am fortunate to have been able to transcend the trauma of that experience, to celebrate my identity as a transgender man, and to nurture a loving relationship with my husband. But so many young people do not have the familial or community support to withstand the impact of this unethical practice.
“LGBTQ+ youth do not need to be changed. Rather, like all youth, they need to be supported and celebrated for the unique and important people they are becoming.
“We commend California State Sen. Scott Weiner for his action introducing legislation earlier this month that will allow survivors of conversion therapy to seek justice for the harm that was done to them. We look for other states to file similar legislation protecting LGBTQ+ youth.” Read about Sen. Weiner’s bill here.
California is one of 25 states that have passed conversion therapy bans. All major medical associations have condemned the practice as ineffective and harmful. Read major medical associations statements on conversion therapy here.
Charles was one of 17 survivors of conversion therapy who joined a friend-of-the-Court brief with the Conversion Therapy Survivor Network detailing the harms of conversion therapy they experienced. Read the brief here.