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In reply to the discussion: Supreme Court rules against Colorado ban on 'conversion therapy' for LGBTQ+ kids [View all]LetMyPeopleVote
(179,857 posts)28. Deadline Legal Blog-Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson steps out alone, again - this time on 'conversion therapy'
The Biden appointee made the rare move of dissenting from the bench, in the latest action separating her from her colleagues.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson steps out alone, again â this time on âconversion therapyâ
— Irish News ð®ðª (@news-flows-ir.bsky.social) 2026-03-31T16:56:54.000000Z
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https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/justice-ketanji-brown-jackson-dissent-conversion-therapy
In her dissent, the Biden appointee wrote that the practice of seeking to convert a persons sexual orientation or gender identity has been widely discredited within the medical and scientific community and found to cause lasting psychological harm.
Departing from Justice Neil Gorsuchs majority opinion for eight members of the court, Jackson wrote, The conclusion that a State can regulate the provision of medical care even if, in so doing, it incidentally restricts the speech of some providers, fully comports with the First Amendments animating principles.
She continued: Ultimately, because the majority plays with fire in this case, I fear that the people of this country will get burned. Until now, she wrote, licensed medical professionals couldnt do or say whatever they wanted. States could regulate them, which, she wrote, contributed to the high quality of American care.
Today, the Court turns its back on that tradition, Jackson wrote. And, to be completely frank, no one knows what will happen now. She accused the majority of reaching this momentous decision without adequately grappling with the potential long-term and disastrous implications of this ruling.
The justice closed her solo dissent by worrying about the majority having opened a dangerous can of worms that threatens to impair States ability to regulate the provision of medical care in any respect, pushes the Constitution into uncharted territory in an utterly irrational fashion and risks grave harm to Americans health and wellbeing.
Departing from Justice Neil Gorsuchs majority opinion for eight members of the court, Jackson wrote, The conclusion that a State can regulate the provision of medical care even if, in so doing, it incidentally restricts the speech of some providers, fully comports with the First Amendments animating principles.
She continued: Ultimately, because the majority plays with fire in this case, I fear that the people of this country will get burned. Until now, she wrote, licensed medical professionals couldnt do or say whatever they wanted. States could regulate them, which, she wrote, contributed to the high quality of American care.
Today, the Court turns its back on that tradition, Jackson wrote. And, to be completely frank, no one knows what will happen now. She accused the majority of reaching this momentous decision without adequately grappling with the potential long-term and disastrous implications of this ruling.
The justice closed her solo dissent by worrying about the majority having opened a dangerous can of worms that threatens to impair States ability to regulate the provision of medical care in any respect, pushes the Constitution into uncharted territory in an utterly irrational fashion and risks grave harm to Americans health and wellbeing.
I agree with Jackson's dissent. I believe that conversion therapy is close to torture. The fact that you can use "talk therapy" may open a dangerous can of worms. I strongly believe in the First Amendment but here there needs to be limits. Talk therapy is less objectionable compared to other methods of conversion therapy but it has risks.
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Supreme Court rules against Colorado ban on 'conversion therapy' for LGBTQ+ kids [View all]
BumRushDaShow
Yesterday
OP
I don't know that there's a live case coming through the courts that would challenge Obergefell
Prairie Gates
Yesterday
#15
I could accept this, though not like it, if this principle were being applied anything like equally
dsc
Yesterday
#3
This is an excerpt from the Kagan & Sotomayor concurring opinion. Justice Kagan authored it & Justice Sotomayor joined.
24601
Yesterday
#6
Yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater is "only speech" as well, but it is regulated.
SunSeeker
Yesterday
#16
WTF? It is not a Free Speech question. It is a medical, sociological, and ethical question.
Martin68
Yesterday
#10
If that is what the decision is based on, then it does seem reasonable to me. As long as advice is freely requested and
Martin68
Yesterday
#22
Many of the people undergoing conversion therapy are minors forced by their bigoted Christian parents.
Lonestarblue
Yesterday
#26
I agree entirely. My point is if the subject request advice, that is legit. Does the court finding allow parents to
Martin68
19 hrs ago
#31
Abuse because of a child's gender identity or sexual orientation certainly isn't a domain exclusive to Christianity.
24601
17 hrs ago
#32
Deadline Legal Blog-Supreme Court sides with Christian counselor over Colorado on 'conversion therapy' for minors
LetMyPeopleVote
Yesterday
#27
Deadline Legal Blog-Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson steps out alone, again - this time on 'conversion therapy'
LetMyPeopleVote
Yesterday
#28