Tuesday, October 7, 2025

RELEASE: Chiles v. Salazar and Colorado’s “Forced Transition” Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Political opponents and movement leaders Tyler Deaton of the American Unity Fund and Ryan T. Anderson of the Ethics and Public Policy Center today united to slam Colorado’s unconstitutional “Forced Transition” law. 

 

This morning, the U.S Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case of Chiles v. Salazar, which considers Colorado’s mandate that childcare providers “affirm” gender-questioning youth. The law amounts to forcing gender transitions for children and adolescents. Similarly extreme laws are on the books in over twenty other states nationwide.

 

“Forced transition” laws, like Colorado’s, constitute unconstitutional and unlawful mandates that run counter to core free speech principles. Mandating “affirmative” care no matter the patient background or circumstances forces children onto a path of permanent medicalization. Opponents of the law have garnered numerous amici briefs in the case, which will be heard today at 10 AM, including one from Deaton and Anderson’s organizations.

 

“This Colorado law has backfired in tangible ways that are hurting the very population it purports to protect. Many of the therapists being silenced under the ‘forced transition’ law that Chiles challenges are themselves part of the LGBT community,” said Tyler Deaton of the American Unity Fund. “The law results in fewer kids having access to help and guidance when they most need it by mandating speech in a way that is both anti-civil liberties, and anti-science. Colorado and states like it are medicalizing children who just need good therapy and good support.”

 

Ryan T. Anderson of the Ethics and Public Policy Center agreed, contending that “The First Amendment protects many things, but at its core, it safeguards the marketplace of ideas and public debate—including professional discussions about the best ways to help struggling youth.” Anderson added, “Colorado's law doesn't just violate counselors' free speech and religious rights; it abandons vulnerable children to an experimental medical pathway that increasingly looks like malpractice. It’s bad for kids, and bad for practitioners.”

 

Read their full editorial in the Washington Examiner here.

 

More About —

 

The American Unity Fund advances democracy, freedom for LGBT Americans, and religious freedom. Find out more here.

The Ethics and Public Policy Center applies Judeo-Christian moral tradition to law and culture. Find out more here.

 

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