National Nurses United (NNU), the largest union of registered nurses in the United States, today condemns the U.S. Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision against Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQIA+ youth, ruling in favor of a conservative Christian therapist.

So-called conversion therapy is harmful to the well-being of LGBTQIA+ youth and could affect similar laws in more than 20 other states. The goal of conversion therapy is to pathologize LGBTQIA+ identities, but LGBTQIA+ existence is not a disease to be cured. Medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have discredited this type of therapy.

Colorado’s law protected LGBTQIA+ youth and their families from dangerous mental health therapies. But the Supreme Court has argued this law should be subjected to strict scrutiny on the grounds of free speech protections, potentially pre-empting states’ ability to regulate health care. Unfortunately, as Justice Ketangi Brown Jackson stated in her lone dissent, “the Court’s opinion misreads our precedents, is unprincipled and unworkable, and will eventually prove untenable for those who rely upon the long-recognized responsibility of States to regulate the medical profession for the protection of public health.” The case now goes back to an appellate court.

This ruling by the Supreme Court is yet another damaging and devastating decision for transgender youth. It is another sign of growing and troubling consensus between both conservatives and corporate Democrats that health care access is a political issue to be debated, not a guaranteed human right.

Nurses support our LGBTQIA+ patients, who deserve care that helps and heals, not harms their health. This decision will harm many of our patients, families, and neighbors. This is why we will not stop fighting to take back our democracy from the hands of fascists. As nurses, we know a better, healthier society is possible, and we will make it a reality.

NNU represents more than 225,000 nurses across the nation and advocates for patients to improve the lives of nurses and communities everywhere.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.