Colorado Law Will Protect LGBTQ Youth

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Colorado’s law prohibiting conversion therapy for minors is valid as a regulation of medical professionals’ conduct. Chris Stoll, Senior Staff Attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights stated, “We are extremely pleased with today’s decision, which allows Colorado to continue protecting its LGBTQ children & adolescents from the dangers of conversion therapy. These discredited practices, which falsely promise to be able to change a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, have been rejected as unsafe by every major medical & mental health organization in the country. The Tenth Circuit has joined numerous other federal courts in affirming that states can require licensed mental health providers to comply with professional standards prohibiting these harmful & unnecessary practices.” Nadine Bridges, Executive Director of One Colorado added, “We are delighted that Colorado's youth will remain protected from conversion therapy. Research has shown that conversion therapy can cause increased rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, homelessness, self-harm & suicide. LGBTQ+ youth are especially at risk, as are families who are misled into believing these dangerous practices can 'prevent' their children from being who they truly are.” Mathew Shurka, Born Perfect Co-Founder & Chief Strategist concluded, "Born Perfect applauds the Tenth Circuit for ensuring that Colorado can continue to protect youth from the dangers of conversion therapy. Advocates & survivors like me are getting the reassurance we need, that every child is Born Perfect." Twenty-five states & over 100 localities have laws or administrative policies protecting youth from these practices or preventing the expenditure of state funds on conversion therapy.

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