Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In Colorado, a legal challenge is underway against a state ban on gender conversion therapy for minors. The case centers on Christian counselor Kaylee Charles, who argues that the state's prohibition of conversion therapy infringes on her free speech rights. The law, House Bill 19-1129, which came into effect in 2019, was designed to protect minors from potentially harmful practices that aim to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The case raises the question of whether this ban is a form of forced religious indoctrination or a necessary measure to protect vulnerable children.
AJ and Infidel 64 discussed the issue, with AJ expressing the view that conversion therapy is not about free speech, as counselors are free to discuss various topics but should not force clients to conform to specific beliefs. Infidel emphasized the harm caused by conversion therapy, likening it to other forms of medical malpractice. Both agreed that such therapy is rooted in religious ideologies, and it’s crucial to consider the potential harm to children, particularly when families pressure minors into undergoing conversion therapy.
AJ highlighted that conversion therapy is banned in some states but remains legal in others, underscoring the need for broader protections. Infidel and AJ both pointed out that conversion therapy is primarily associated with religious organizations and driven by conservative ideologies that often reject the validity of LGBTQ+ identities. Infidel further criticized the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, expressing concern that their stance on issues like same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ rights could jeopardize the progress made in protecting these communities.
Infidel concluded by emphasizing the scientific consensus against conversion therapy, which has been shown to harm LGBTQ+ youth and increase mental health risks, including suicide. Both agreed that conversion therapy should be banned and that the focus should be on supporting LGBTQ+ individuals' identities to promote their well-being.
SCOTUS: Is LGBTQ Suffering a Religious Right?
Supreme Court will hear challenge to Colorado conversion therapy ban
"Colorado's Battle Over Conversion Therapy"
"Free Speech or Forced Faith?"
"The Unspoken Harm of Conversion Therapy"
"Can Religious Counselors Be Neutral?"
"Therapy or Trauma: The Conversion Debate"
"Children's Rights vs. Religious Agendas"
"The 'Free Speech' Behind Conversion Therapy"
"Protecting Kids from Harmful Practices"
"When Therapy Becomes Conversion"
"Free Speech or Forced Beliefs?"
"Because Children Definitely Need Conversion Therapy"
"Just What Kids Need: More Religious Therapy!"
"Who Needs Evidence When You've Got Free Speech, Right?"
"It's Just Therapy, No Big Deal—Just Ask the Kids!"
"Because Being Yourself Is Overrated, Clearly"
"Let’s Erase LGBTQ+ Youth—What Could Go Wrong?"
"Sure, Change the Kids, That’s Totally Fine"
"Who Needs Science When You Have God’s Opinion?"
"Free Speech: Now With Extra Harmful Conversion"
"Who Needs Mental Health When You Have Religious Conversion?"
Axios, By Avery Lotz, on Mar 10, 2025
axios.com/2025/03/10/supreme-court-conversion-therapy-challenge
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.12.1 featuring Jimmy Jr., AJ, and Infidel64.
Don't like ads? Consider becoming a patron for commercial-free episodes: tiny.cc/patreonnp
We welcome your comments on the thread for this show.
► tiny.cc/fbnp
► Contact us with questions or news stories at: nonprophets@atheist-community.org
-------
WHAT IS THE NON-PROPHETS?
The Non-Prophets is a internet show airing at 06:00pm Central time Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday each week. Where we navigate through current events, providing a secular viewpoint that adds depth to the unfolding narrative.
The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.
We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition also encompasses what most people call agnosticism.
VISIT THE ACA'S OFFICIAL WEB SITES
► atheist-community.org (The Atheist Community of Austin)
► atheist-experience.com (The Atheist Experience TV Show)
NOTES
TheNonProphets is the official channel of The Non Prophets. "The Non Prophets" is a trademark of the ACA.
Copyright © 2024 Atheist Community of Austin. All rights reserved.
In Colorado, a legal challenge is underway against a state ban on gender conversion therapy for minors. The case centers on Christian counselor Kaylee Charles, who argues that the state's prohibition of conversion therapy infringes on her free speech rights. The law, House Bill 19-1129, which came into effect in 2019, was designed to protect minors from potentially harmful practices that aim to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The case raises the question of whether this ban is a form of forced religious indoctrination or a necessary measure to protect vulnerable children.
AJ and Infidel 64 discussed the issue, with AJ expressing the view that conversion therapy is not about free speech, as counselors are free to discuss various topics but should not force clients to conform to specific beliefs. Infidel emphasized the harm caused by conversion therapy, likening it to other forms of medical malpractice. Both agreed that such therapy is rooted in religious ideologies, and it’s crucial to consider the potential harm to children, particularly when families pressure minors into undergoing conversion therapy.
AJ highlighted that conversion therapy is banned in some states but remains legal in others, underscoring the need for broader protections. Infidel and AJ both pointed out that conversion therapy is primarily associated with religious organizations and driven by conservative ideologies that often reject the validity of LGBTQ+ identities. Infidel further criticized the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, expressing concern that their stance on issues like same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ rights could jeopardize the progress made in protecting these communities.
Infidel concluded by emphasizing the scientific consensus against conversion therapy, which has been shown to harm LGBTQ+ youth and increase mental health risks, including suicide. Both agreed that conversion therapy should be banned and that the focus should be on supporting LGBTQ+ individuals' identities to promote their well-being.
SCOTUS: Is LGBTQ Suffering a Religious Right?
Supreme Court will hear challenge to Colorado conversion therapy ban
"Colorado's Battle Over Conversion Therapy"
"Free Speech or Forced Faith?"
"The Unspoken Harm of Conversion Therapy"
"Can Religious Counselors Be Neutral?"
"Therapy or Trauma: The Conversion Debate"
"Children's Rights vs. Religious Agendas"
"The 'Free Speech' Behind Conversion Therapy"
"Protecting Kids from Harmful Practices"
"When Therapy Becomes Conversion"
"Free Speech or Forced Beliefs?"
"Because Children Definitely Need Conversion Therapy"
"Just What Kids Need: More Religious Therapy!"
"Who Needs Evidence When You've Got Free Speech, Right?"
"It's Just Therapy, No Big Deal—Just Ask the Kids!"
"Because Being Yourself Is Overrated, Clearly"
"Let’s Erase LGBTQ+ Youth—What Could Go Wrong?"
"Sure, Change the Kids, That’s Totally Fine"
"Who Needs Science When You Have God’s Opinion?"
"Free Speech: Now With Extra Harmful Conversion"
"Who Needs Mental Health When You Have Religious Conversion?"
Axios, By Avery Lotz, on Mar 10, 2025
axios.com/2025/03/10/supreme-court-conversion-therapy-challenge
The Non-Prophets, Episode 24.12.1 featuring Jimmy Jr., AJ, and Infidel64.
Don't like ads? Consider becoming a patron for commercial-free episodes: tiny.cc/patreonnp
We welcome your comments on the thread for this show.
► tiny.cc/fbnp
► Contact us with questions or news stories at: nonprophets@atheist-community.org
-------
WHAT IS THE NON-PROPHETS?
The Non-Prophets is a internet show airing at 06:00pm Central time Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday each week. Where we navigate through current events, providing a secular viewpoint that adds depth to the unfolding narrative.
The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.
We define atheism as the lack of belief in gods. This definition also encompasses what most people call agnosticism.
VISIT THE ACA'S OFFICIAL WEB SITES
► atheist-community.org (The Atheist Community of Austin)
► atheist-experience.com (The Atheist Experience TV Show)
NOTES
TheNonProphets is the official channel of The Non Prophets. "The Non Prophets" is a trademark of the ACA.
Copyright © 2024 Atheist Community of Austin. All rights reserved.
