On August 27, Williams Institute scholars, represented by Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC, filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the Supreme Court in Chiles v. Salazar.  The case was brought by Kaley Chiles, a mental health professional in Colorado, who is challenging the state’s ban on conversion therapy for youth. Chiles contends that the law restricts her ability to provide comprehensive counseling consistent with her and her clients’ religious beliefs, in violation of the First Amendment’s Free Speech Clause.

The brief presents research showing that conversion therapy is ineffective and can cause serious harm to vulnerable LGBTQ youth, such as increased risks of suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, physical health problems, financial hardships, and social isolation. The brief also supports Colorado’s authority to regulate the medical profession to prevent such harms.

This week, Laurel Sprague, Research Director and Blachford/Cooper Distinguished Scholar at the Williams Institute, was one of six U.S. participants in the pre-sessions for the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United States. The UPR requires UN member states to report approximately every four and a half years on their human rights progress and receive recommendations from other states for continued improvement.

In her testimony, Laurel addressed the U.S. government’s failures to meet its human rights obligations toward LGBTQ people since the last review in 2020 and offered recommendations for the reviewing states. On Wednesday, the U.S. announced that it would not participate in the UPR scheduled for November 7.

"The State Department’s decision not to participate in this review marks a reversal of U.S. leadership on LGBTQ rights and sets a dangerous precedent," Laurel said from Geneva. "This decision tells governments that they can disregard human rights recommendations, which threatens to further undermine human rights globally. It puts minority groups—including sexual and gender minorities—at greater risk and removes a key accountability process for anyone needing to defend themselves against government overreach."

Join us for a panel discussion at Selendy Gay's law office in New York, followed by cocktails and conversation. We'll be discussing key LGBTQ rights cases decided by the Court in 2025 and what's ahead for 2026.

The Dukeminier Awards acknowledge the best law review articles concerning sexual orientation and gender identity each year. Join us for a webinar with the winners of the 2025 Dukeminier Awards. MCLE credit is available (California only).

We are conducting a study to improve services for LGBTQ individuals affected by the Los Angeles fires. If you were directly impacted, join us for a community listening session at the Altadena Library. Lunch will be provided, and the first 60 attendees will receive a free air purifier.

The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law is an academic research institute dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy.