Native America Calling: What the “conversion therapy” court decision means for LGBTQ2+ protections

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Native America Calling: What the “conversion therapy” court decision means for LGBTQ2+ protections

Monday, April 6, 2026

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What the “conversion therapy” court decision means for LGBTQ2+ protections

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision opens a new path for the controversial practice known as “conversion therapy” — a method aimed at questioning or even changing a person’s sexual orientation. [PDF: Chiles v. Salazar, No. 24-539]

More than 20 states ban the practice. Conversion therapy is condemned by major medical establishments including the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association.

LGBTQ2+ advocates at the Trevor Project are now calling the Supreme Court’s ruling in Chiles v. Salazar a “tragic step backward” when it comes to LGBTQ2S youth. The decision is also one in the growing number of legal and policy challenges ranging from a ban on Pride flags to defunding HIV/AIDS treatment.

Tune in to hear from Native LGBTQ and Two-Spirit advocates and legal experts about the landscape for LGBTQ2 protections.

A view of the U.S. Supreme Court. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Guests on Native America Calling

Liish Kozlowski (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa/D-MN/they/them), first trans non-binary person elected to the Minnesota Legislature, representing District 08B in the Minnesota House of Representatives

Shelby Chestnut (Assiniboine/they/he), executive director of the Transgender Law Center, headquartered in California

Lenny Hayes (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate/they/he), owner and executive director of Tate Topa Consulting LLC, based in Minnesota

Mattee Jim (Diné/she/her), Native transgender advocate