On August 26, 2025, FFRF filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in a case challenging a Colorado state law that banned conversion therapy for minors. This case arose after licensed therapist Kaley Chiles sued state officials in September 2022, alleging the conversion ban violated her First Amendment rights. Chiles identified as a Christian who wanted to provide counseling services and alleged the ban violated her free speech rights and asked to block enforcement of the law. However, Chiles did not claim to practice minor conversion therapy and made it clear in her own arguments that she has no desire to do so.
FFRF’s brief argued in part that Chiles had no legal standing to sue. She argued that she may be wrongly perceived as having violated the law if a minor client were later to “change” their sexual orientation or gender identity. This kind of speculation and conjecture is insufficient to establish legal standing. The brief also argued that this case is yet another where religious parties have been permitted to concoct fake controversies that seek to make the law reflect their personal beliefs. The brief documented how religious litigants have developed a pattern of fabricating legal controversies where none exists. It also underscores that the Supreme Court has not hesitated to deny standing to FFRF or other secular litigants who seek judicial relief that might negatively impact religious interests, but that religious plaintiffs conspicuously have not faced similar limitations.
This brief was drafted by Staff Attorney Nancy Noet.
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