SCOTUS Hears Oral Arguments on Harmful Conversion Therapy

OUR STATEMENT

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States is hearing oral arguments in Chiles v. Salazar, a case that will determine whether or not states are allowed to protect young people from the harmful practices of conversion therapy.

Dr. Aisha Mays, adolescent medicine physician in California and Board Member with Physicians for Reproductive Health responds: 

“As a physician who cares for young people every day, I know how critical it is for their health and wellbeing to have access to health care that affirms who they are. I am a researcher, a scientist, and an adolescent health care provider who has cared for LGBTQ youth my entire career, and as such, I know that the consensus is clear: conversion therapy is dangerous and causes harm.  

“Every major medical association in the country condemns conversion therapy because of its well-known and long-studied damage to the physical and mental wellbeing to young people. Especially as states across the country attack access to life-saving gender affirming care, it is critical that the Court protect states’ rights to show young people that they care about their livelihood. I wish more states followed Colorado’s lead and made it clear that LGBTQ young people are valued, cherished, and welcome just the way they are. 

“At Physicians for Reproductive Health, we listen to the evidence. The evidence is clear: conversion therapy is life-threatening. We envision a world where all young people are surrounded by the resources, care, and support they need to grow up and live full and authentic lives. We urge the Court to protect young people; their lives and our collective future are at stake.”