Tuesday, March 31, 2026

RELEASE: SCOTUS Strikes Down Colorado’s “Forced Transition” Law for Gender-Questioning Youth

An 8-1 majority has protected children, counselors, and the First Amendment from Colorado's unconstitutional mandate.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Supreme Court today ruled 8-1 in favor of free speech and against Colorado's unconstitutional "Forced Transition" law, showing a new, broad majority in favor of sanity in treating gender-questioning youth. Obama-appointed Justices Kagan and Sotomayor concurred in the majority opinion, demonstrating a broad ideological rejection of Colorado’s Forced Transition law. American Unity Fund celebrates this decision that protects the rights of counselors, families, and children in Colorado.

Tyler Deaton of the American Unity Fund said the following after the decision: “The Colorado law has backfired in tangible ways that hurt the very population it claimed to protect. It was forcing therapists to perform sex changes on children, who deserve good therapy. Many of the therapists being silenced were themselves part of the LGBT community. It was forcing kids onto a medical conveyor belt. Today, the Supreme Court said what American Unity Fund has argued from the beginning: the government cannot silence counselors — including LGBT counselors — who want to give children real therapy.”

Deaton continued: "This 8-1 decision was better than expected from the Court. It shows a broad, new majority for sanity and against sex changes for children. The Court’s decision safeguards professional conduct and protects LGBT youth. Today's ruling is a victory for kids and for practitioners."

More Information —

The Court's decision in Chiles v. Salazar invalidates Colorado's mandate forcing childcare providers to "affirm" gender-questioning youth regardless of their individual circumstances. Similar laws remain on the books in other states and now face serious Constitutional scrutiny.

American Unity Fund and the Ethics and Public Policy Center filed an amicus brief in the case.

More About —

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

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