Kobach Targets Cities Over Therapy Bans | Lawrence News

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is demanding three cities—Lawrence, Prairie Village, and Roeland Park—repeal their bans on conversion therapy for minors, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down such bans as unconstitutional censorship of therapists’ free speech. The court’s decision in Chiles v. Salazar ruled that prohibiting conversion therapy equates to silencing viewpoint-based speech, which violates the First Amendment. Despite widespread condemnation from medical organizations and bans in 27 states and many countries, Kobach argues local ordinances overstep by restricting what therapists can say or do. Cities enacted bans in 2021 and 2020, and while officials are reviewing the legal threats, Kobach’s office sees these laws as an unconstitutional attempt to control speech—especially targeting Lawrence’s ban on advertising or using conversion therapy terms. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d7190628f139fcf4