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Multi-faith organizations rally support for protecting minors from conversion therapy
Hindu American Foundation, Hindus for Human Rights and Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus have urged the US Supreme Court to uphold Colorado’s Minor Conversion Therapy Law.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Mon, 01, Sep 2025
- 00:13 EDT
- 16
Representative image / iStock
Hindu American Foundation, Hindus for Human Rights and Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, along with close to two dozen organizations have urged the Supreme Court of the United States to affirm that Colorado’s Minor Conversion Therapy Law does not violate the religious freedom of mental health practitioners.
Colorado's Minor Conversion Therapy Law, enacted in 2019, prohibits licensed mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors under 18, defining it as efforts to change sexual orientation or gender identity. Violators face disciplinary action, and the law has been upheld as constitutional by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in September 2024.
Conversion therapy is a discredited practice aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, often through psychological or spiritual interventions. It has been widely criticized by medical and mental health organizations for causing significant harm, including increased risks of depression and suicide.
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The organizations filed an amicus brief on Aug. 26, 2025 in the case 'Chiles VS Salazar' on Colorado's minor conversion therapy law, defending the law. A counselor named Kaley Chiles, backed by a conservative group called Alliance Defending Freedom, says the law stops her from counseling based on her religious beliefs. She claims it infringes on her free speech and free exercise of religion.
But the multi-faith organizations, in their amicus brief, contended that the law does not target religion and nor was enacted with ill-will towards religion.
The brief offers not just Hindu religious perspectives but also perspectives from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Unitarian Universalist faiths, all highlighting that the law aligns with their beliefs of celebrating diversity and ensuring all members of the community feel safe, included, and supported.
The Hindu American Foundation shared the news of the Amicus brief and said, "Hindu dharmas support the rights of LGBTQ people to exist and thrive free from pseudoscientific or ideologically motivated attempts by treatment providers to alter the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors."
Rachel Laser, the President and CEO of Americans United, one of the leading voices supporting the law, said in a statement, "Our country’s promise of church-state separation means that all Americans must be free to live as themselves and believe as they choose, as long as they do not harm others."
She added, "We urge the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm that our laws can protect vulnerable LGBTQ+ children from the proven harm of conversion therapy."
Major organizations representing different faiths and ideologies came together in support of the law. Organizations like Alliance of Baptists, Highlands Church Denver, Muslims for Progressive Values, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado and Jewish Council for Public Affairs extended support to the law and its earlier upholding by the Circuit Court.
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