SCOTUS denies Christian counselor’s challenge to Washington ‘censorship’ law over discussions of ‘conversion therapy’

December 12, 2023

The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a Christian family counselor’s challenge to Washington’s law that prohibits discussion of “conversation therapy” with minors.

Brian Tingley is a licensed marriage and family therapist who claimed state’s law violates his First Amendment rights.

The law in question, Senate Bill 5722, was signed by Governor Jay Inslee in 2018 and prohibits licensed therapists from practicing conversion therapy on minors. Conversion therapy is a practice that aims to change a person’s “sexual orientation” or “gender identity.”

Tingley, represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a Christian legal advocacy group, argued that the law violates his First Amendment rights.

ADF Senior Counsel Roger Brooks stated…

“The government has no business censoring the discussions between a counselor and a client, much less imposing a viewpoint requirement on counselors when counseling on issues of sexuality and gender.”

Washington is one of 20 states, along with the District of Columbia, that have banned conversion therapy for minors.

The Supreme Court’s decision to deny the challenge means that the Washington law will remain in effect., and it will leave the issue unresolved. The debate over conversion therapy and the rights of counselors to practice their faith will also continue.