A Colorado law that bans what's called conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth hit a potentially

far-reaching roadblock at the U.S. Supreme Court today.

In an eight to one decision, the justices cited with a Christian counselor who argued that

the law violated her First Amendment rights.

Our Justice correspondent Ali Rogan has more on the ruling.

William, the majority of justices cast doubt on whether the state of Colorado can ban licensed

therapists from talking to their minor patients about their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Supporters of the law argue the ban was necessary to protect children from the practice

of conversion therapy that they say is harmful.

In the court's majority opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch said, quote,

Colorado may regard its policy as essential to public health and safety, but the First

Amendment stands as a shield against any effort to enforce orthodoxy

in thought or speech in this country.

Last fall, the news hour spoke to Kaylee Childs, the therapist at the center of the case.

The care that is at stake in this lawsuit is that we are allowed to speak freely and that

we are allowed to, by the the product of that sort through feelings,

sensations, thoughts, beliefs.

The ruling sends the case back to a lower court to weigh in on if the law is constitutional.

Colorado is about one of two dozen states that have banned conversion therapy for minors.

For more on today's decision, I'm joined now by the NewsHour's Supreme Court analyst Amy Howe,

co-founder of SCOTUS blog.

Amy, great to see you again.

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