Bereaved mother delivers heart-rending warning about ending LGBTQ+ conversion therapy ban
Linda Robinson broke down while discussing her experiences with the discredited practice (MSBNC)
Linda Robinson broke down while discussing her experiences with the discredited practice (MSBNC)
Mother Linda Robinson, who lost her son to gay conversion therapy, has given a heartbreaking warning against reversing a ban preventing the widely criticised and discredited practice.
On Tuesday (7 October), the US Supreme Court, where conservative justices hold a 6-3 majority, appeared ready to rule against Colorado’s protective law in the case of Chiles vs Salazar.
Colorado’s 2019 law states that therapists licensed by the state are not allowed to “eliminate or reduce” same-sex attraction or change a person’s “behaviours or gender expression,” with each violation punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and potential loss of license. The law adds that therapists may provide “acceptance, support, and understanding.”
MSNBC’s Erielle Reshef spoke with Robinson, who filed an amicus brief in the case. The devout Christian mother shared that she thought conversion therapy would help her son, but instead she now believes it tragically drove him to suicide.
“This is not a blue or red issue. This is not a left or right issue,” she said of the case.
“This is an issue of parents loving their kids and wanting to keep them safe. It was always sold as a way to make a child whole and holy and yet, it did the opposite. It completely broke Ryan’s confidence. When we taught Ryan to hate his sexuality, we were teaching him to hate himself.
“These programs prey on vulnerable parents, and they promise things they must know, they must know, don’t work.”
@katy_tur The Supreme Court appeared skeptical of state bans of conversion therapy aimed at LGBTQ kids at oral arguments this morning. My colleague Erielle Reshef spoke with Linda Robinson, a devout Christian mother who filed an amicus brief in this case. She thought conversion therapy would help her son but instead she says it tragically drove him to suicide. #news #lgbtq ♬ original sound – Katy Tur
The Supreme Court’s ruling is expected by the end of June 2026.
Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
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