Earlier this week, news broke that the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy, a dangerous and discredited practice that purports to “cure” LGBTQ individuals of their sexual orientation or gender identity. For most people, this case is a legal curiosity, another battle in the endless culture wars. But for me, it’s personal.
I am both a survivor of conversion therapy and one of the advocates who worked tirelessly to pass Colorado’s ban on the practice. Today, as I watch this ban face scrutiny from the highest court in the land, I find myself grappling with a complicated swirl of emotions: anger, sadness, determination, and yes, hope.
My Story
Conversion therapy isn’t some abstract concept to me. I lived it. I felt the crushing weight of sitting across from so-called counselors who swore they could “fix” me. They were wrong. I didn’t need fixing — and neither do the countless LGBTQ kids subjected to this abusive practice every year.
What I needed was acceptance and support. Instead, what I received were lies wrapped in the guise of therapy. Those experiences left scars that I carry with me to this day. But they also left me with a fierce drive to ensure no one else would have to endure what I did.
Fighting for Change
Years later, I channeled that pain into action. As Deputy Director at One Colorado, I was privileged to lead the team that fought to pass the bill banning conversion therapy in our state. We worked with survivors, medical and mental health professionals, faith leaders, and lawmakers to tell the truth about this abusive practice.
The road was anything but easy. We faced opposition from powerful organizations and individuals determined to defend a practice that is fundamentally rooted in misinformation and prejudice. But, we also built a coalition of compassion and common sense. We spoke truth to power, and power listened.
In 2019, Colorado officially banned conversion therapy for minors. It was a moment of triumph, but also of healing. The law was a testament to the resilience of our community and the allies who stood with us.
The Battle Ahead
Now, the Supreme Court is poised to determine whether more than 20 states like Colorado have the right to protect LGBTQ youth from conversion therapy. For me, this isn’t just a legal battle; it’s a fight for the right of every child to grow up free from the psychological harm I endured.
As a survivor, I know how damaging conversion therapy is. As an advocate, I know how critical it is to end it. And as an American, I refuse to accept that we cannot protect our most vulnerable.
The stakes are high, and the outcome of this case could affect countless lives. But I also know we are on the right side of history. The truth is on our side. Science is on our side. And so many voices are ready to rise up and be heard.
Moving Forward
No matter what happens in the courtroom, the fight for equality and dignity continues. I will be watching closely, and I will be fighting just as fiercely as I always have.
Because this is about more than a law. This is about our humanity.
Stay tuned, stay engaged, and most importantly, stay loud. Because the only way we win is by making sure our voices are impossible to ignore.