LGBTQ+ lawmakers and advocates are sounding the alarm after the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would take on a case challenging Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors.
The case could have dire consequences for similar laws across the country, including Illinois’ own protections against the harmful practice, said state Rep. Kelly Cassidy (14th District), who championed Illinois’ 2015 law banning conversion therapy for minors.
Cassidy called the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case “deeply concerning,” noting that a ruling against Colorado’s law could put existing bans—in Illinois and across the country—at risk.
“This is not good news,” Cassidy said. “A Supreme Court decision on this will likely impact our law.”
Illinois was one of the first states to ban conversion therapy, which is widely condemned by major medical and psychological associations as harmful and ineffective.
What makes Illinois’s ban on conversion therapy stand out is that Cassidy, who worked closely with survivors of the practice, tied the ban to the state’s Consumer Protection Act so that those harmed by conversion therapy had legal recourse to seek accountability of those who administered it.
Among those survivors who helped shape Illinois’ law was Curtis Lopez-Galloway, who testified in all three legislative hearings on the subject and had a meeting with then-Gov. Bruce Rauner (a Republican) that ultimately influenced him to sign the bill into law.
Lopez-Galloway then went on to found the Conversion Therapy Survivors Network and now lives in California.
Lopez-Galloway said he was not surprised to see this case go before the Supreme Court at this moment, when conservatives are attempting to roll back LGBTQ+ rights and protections across the country.
“Of course they are,” Lopez-Galloway said. “I guess I’m not done fighting against conversion therapy in my home state or anywhere, really.”
Lopez-Galloway endured conversion therapy before becoming an activist and said he worries a Supreme Court ruling against Colorado’s ban could embolden conversion therapy practitioners to put even more LGBTQ+ youth at risk.
“I’ve already gotten calls from young people terrified about being sent to conversion therapy,” Lopez-Galloway said. “If these bans are overturned, we’re going to see an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and a resurgence of these harmful practices.”
Proponents of conversion therapy bans argue these laws protect vulnerable children from psychological and emotional harm, while opponents argue the bans infringe upon free speech and religious freedom. Lopez-Galloway said he rejects those arguments.
“This isn’t about free speech—this is about unethical practices that harm people,” Lopez-Galloway said. “Even with religious freedom, you can’t abuse people.”
Cassidy echoed concerns that Illinois could see a resurgence of conversion therapy if the Supreme Court rules against Colorado’s law.
“At minimum, a decision against these bans would embolden practitioners to be more public about their work,” Cassidy said.
But the outcome of the case is still uncertain. And regardless of how the Supreme Court rules, Cassidy and Lopez-Galloway said they remain committed to defending conversion therapy bans.
Cassidy said state legislators serve as a “firewall” against national rollbacks of LGBTQ+ rights, while Lopez-Galloway urged people to contact their elected representatives, support survivor organizations and stay vigilant.
“We’ve fought this before, and we’ll fight it again,” Lopez-Galloway said.
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