The Supreme Court, Free Speech, and LGBTQ+ Rights: A Closer Look at the Rhetoric in Mohler’s Briefing
As legislative and judicial battles over LGBTQ+ rights intensify across the country, so too does the national conversation surrounding them—especially from influential conservative voices like Dr. Albert Mohler. In the March 11, 2025 episode of his podcast The Briefing, Mohler addresses two significant flashpoints: the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to review a case challenging Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors and the backlash to former President Trump’s executive order targeting gender-affirming care.
While Mohler’s podcast is designed for a conservative Christian audience, his framing of these issues—particularly in language that subtly undermines the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people—deserves careful scrutiny from those of us working to protect and advance civil rights.
The Supreme Court and Conversion Therapy: A Dangerous Framing
Mohler expresses concern over the “silencing” of a licensed Christian counselor in Colorado who claims the state’s ban on conversion therapy violates her free speech rights. He critiques mainstream media for calling the practice “discredited,” implying that such characterizations are biased or ideologically driven.
Let’s be clear: conversion therapy has been widely discredited by every major medical and psychological association in the U.S., including the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Numerous studies have shown that such practices are not only ineffective but harmful—especially for LGBTQ+ youth.
The framing of this lawsuit as a “free speech” issue ignores the core ethical and medical standards at play. Protecting minors from psychological harm is not a violation of constitutional rights—it is a public health imperative.
Gender-Affirming Care and Executive Overreach
Mohler also touches on the fallout from Trump’s recent executive order, which threatens to strip federal funding from institutions that provide gender-affirming care to individuals under 19. While he briefly acknowledges the hardship this has caused for families and transgender youth, the focus quickly pivots to defending the move as necessary to uphold “truth” about gender.
This is not a neutral perspective. Gender-affirming care is not experimental or fringe—it is evidence-based, endorsed by leading medical authorities, and often life-saving. Attempts to frame it as controversial sidestep the overwhelming consensus of the medical community and the real-life consequences for trans youth who lose access to care.
Why This Matters
While conservative platforms like The Briefing may claim to simply offer alternative viewpoints, they often perpetuate harmful narratives that undermine LGBTQ+ rights under the guise of religious freedom or parental rights. As we move into a contentious legal landscape—one in which the Supreme Court may rule on the future of conversion therapy bans—it’s vital to understand the rhetorical strategies being deployed to sway public opinion.
We must continue to center the voices and rights of LGBTQ+ people—particularly youth—who are directly impacted by these debates. This includes:
Supporting litigation that upholds bans on conversion therapy.
Challenging executive actions that limit access to essential healthcare.
Speaking out against misinformation, no matter how subtly it’s packaged.
Call to Action
Stay informed. Engage with your local legislators. Support organizations fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in courts and communities. And when you hear narratives like the ones shared in Mohler’s podcast, recognize them for what they are: efforts to reframe discrimination as religious liberty, and harm as help.
To learn more about the legal challenges surrounding conversion therapy bans and gender-affirming care, visit LGBTQLegalHelp.org or refer to our Resources page.
