As a proponent of strong mental health for youth in Colorado, Second Wind Fund is deeply troubled by the Supreme Court’s decision to overrule Colorado’s protections against conversion therapy. For years, respected medical and psychological institutions have made it clear that conversion therapy is not only ineffective but actively harmful for LGBTQ+ youth and our overall community. Overturning these protections disregards science-based expertise and puts vulnerable individuals at serious risk.

Colorado’s law was designed to protect youth from practices widely understood to be damaging and manipulative. By striking it down, the Court has elevated nonfactual arguments above the real and documented harm experienced by young people subjected to these interventions. This ruling sends a concerning message about whose rights and well-being are prioritized.

At a time when mental health concerns among young people are already on the rise, removing systems against discredited practices is not just misguided; it is dangerous. Last year alone, Second Wind Fund witnessed a profound increase in fear reported from LGBTQ+ youth as a result of social and cultural attacks on the community. Protecting our youth should not be controversial. Policies grounded in credible science and compassion should not be so easily dismissed. This ruling underscores the urgent need for continued advocacy to ensure that vulnerable communities are not left without meaningful protection.

Second Wind Fund’s purpose is to remove both financial and social barriers to treatment for youth facing suicidal ideation. From our perspective, our nation’s highest court has reestablished a barrier that has known negative implications on the mental wellness of thousands of youth in Colorado. Second Wind Fund stands firm in our support for the LGBTQ+ community and the youth we serve.