Colorado couldn't ban Christian counseling — so it did this instead
Religious freedom has always been synonymous with American freedom. Noted in our pledge of allegiance. “One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Today, it appears that both justice and liberty are becoming extinct. Still, many continue to scramble from nations around the world to come and experience “the land of the free, and home of the brave.” However, “freedom” seems to be imploding. Religious freedom is the center of a bull's-eye target from those whose views and beliefs differ from God’s Holy counsel. Waves of Marxism have us gasping. America is losing definition.
What is it that defines a “Christian” today? Have many “Christians” just found it to be a clean label, without convictions deep enough to withstand scrutiny and hatred? So many remain silent when fellow Christians are under attack.
For three years, Matthew Grech, a former LGBT man who lives in Malta, was under prosecution simply for sharing his testimony of leaving LGBT culture for Christ. On March 4, 2026, he was fully acquitted of all charges. Towards the end of this courtroom battle, Chiles v. Salazar was heard by the United States Supreme Court. Ms. Chiles fought and won the right to counsel from a Christian perspective.
Don't catch your breath just yet. The ink was not even dry on the Supreme Court ruling before Colorado legislators introduced a bill designed to accomplish through civil liability what the Court just said they could not accomplish through criminal prohibition.
Confused? Is religious liberty still intact? Let me explain in a way that will shed light on the ongoing fight for equality.
On March 31, 2026, the United States Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Chiles v. Salazar, striking down Colorado's ban on so-called “conversion therapy” as unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. In plain language, the government cannot silence a counselor simply because their perspective on sexuality differs from the prevailing cultural narrative. The Court said so clearly and decisively.
What happened next should startle and compel every pastor, counselor and believer.
On that same day — not a week later, not a month later, but within hours of the ruling — Colorado legislators introduced House Bill 26-1322. The bill was clearly prepared in advance, anticipating the Court's decision. It was a premeditated effort to undermine the highest court in the U.S.
Unable to ban the speech outright, Colorado created something potentially more dangerous — unlimited civil liability. Under HB26-1322, signed into law by Governor Jared Polis on June 1, 2026, any person who claims psychological injury from so-called “conversion therapy” can now sue their counselor. With no statute of limitations. At any point in their lifetime.
Here is what makes this particularly alarming for people of faith. The bill's definition of “conversion therapy” is not limited to the discredited aversive techniques — shock therapy, shame-based practices — that activists have long used to build public opposition. The bill defines it as any practice that seeks to “change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity” or “eliminate or reduce attractions toward individuals of the same sex.” This specifically impedes on “religious conviction.”
In practical terms, that means a licensed counselor who simply asks a client “what are your goals?” and then helps them pursue those goals — including a goal of living in alignment with their faith — could face a lawsuit at any time. Now, or at any time in the future. Entirely on the plaintiff's subjective claim of psychological injury.
The First Amendment protects free speech. But financial terror accomplishes what a legal ban cannot. When a counselor faces the prospect of unlimited liability for simply having a conversation, they go silent. And when counselors go silent, the silencing of the Gospel is accomplished.
This is not a hypothetical threat. It is already happening. And Colorado is not alone — 22 other states have similar bans now facing scrutiny following the Supreme Court ruling. Legislators in those states are watching Colorado's civil liability approach very carefully.
It was not coincidental that I had just begun producing a feature-length documentary, entitled, FREEDOM, on “conversion therapy,” just as Matthew Grech’s case headed to the courtroom. FREEDOM has been in production for more than three years. We were the only American press at three of the thirteen hearings. And FREEDOM is the only documentary about “conversion therapy” in the U.S., except for opposing views.
I set out to educate, inspire and equip those with limited firsthand knowledge of the label “conversion therapy,” that LGBT activists and the American Psychological Association define as anything that suggests one can live differently than how they feel. This forces the claim, “once gay, always gay,” mandated by activists who would thereby be responsible for holding its community members hostage.
Stripping them of their human rights and religious freedom the U.S. Constitution had guaranteed. This bill, and any similar efforts, should hardly see the light of day.
Since Matthew Grech’s acquittal and the decision by the Supreme Court on the Chiles v. Salazar verdict, an uncomfortable silence has returned. God’s commissioned seem to have fallen back to sleep. However, LGBT people are not ministerial collateral. They are deeply loved by God and worthy of the full counsel of His Word.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV).
Just as in the days of Jesus, scoffing and retaliation over Christian principles are increasing. However, He calls on us to be faithful to His commission to the very end.
The Church cannot afford to remain silent. FREEDOM was meant to start the conversation. View the trailer at https://f.io/_OuSAbtw or visit www.freedomdocumentary.com to learn more or schedule a screening
Wayne Blakely is the Executive Producer of Know His Love ministries, established in 2010. Raised Christian, but due to church silence on same-sex attraction, left God and the church, living in the LGBTQ culture for forty years. Upon his return in 2009, he recognized that God’s call on us is to develop an intimate relationship with Him, not with our flesh. He speaks and writes internationally. He is the Executive Director of the just completed documentary, FREEDOM.
