By Joseph Darius Jaafari
Dec. 17, 2025 |
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CALLING IT WHAT IT IS: As the U.S. Supreme Court weighs a case that could dismantle state bans on conversion therapy, faith-based conferences like ReStory’s Southwestern gathering in Arizona illustrate how the practice has re-entered public conversation — often without using the term itself.
At a November event at Radiant Church in Surprise, minister and ReStory Ministries executive director Linda Seiler described her work not as conversion therapy but as “transformation,” arguing through religious framing and quasi-academic language that LGBTQ+ identities can be changed or suppressed. The rebranding mirrors national efforts by practitioners to sidestep laws that prohibit licensed conversion therapy while continuing similar practices.
The renewed scrutiny comes as private religious therapists in Chiles v. Salazar argue that Colorado’s ban violates their free speech and religious rights. Medical organizations, including the American Psychological Association, counter that attempts to change sexual orientation or gender identity are harmful and unsupported by evidence.
We sent a reporter to the conference to listen in on what people were saying.
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OUR TAKE: Last year, LOOKOUT spent the first five months investigating how Arizona practitioners were continuing to use conversion therapy under different names, including reparative therapy, sex addiction counseling and religious life coaching.
After the story was published, Arizona lawmakers attempted to address the number of licensed medical providers still practicing conversion therapy. Those efforts stalled, and no legislation advanced.
Now, attempts to curb conversion therapy nationwide could be undone by the U.S. Supreme Court. During oral arguments in October, the court appeared receptive to arguments that state bans infringe on the religious speech rights of practitioners, raising the possibility that existing protections could be rolled back.
From a news standpoint, it is our responsibility to continue reporting on how practitioners in Arizona promote conversion therapy, despite evidence linking the practice to increased rates of depression, anxiety and suicide.
From a community standpoint, it is equally important to center the voices of those who have been affected. If you or someone you know has experienced conversion therapy, we invite you to respond to this email and share your story. Your perspective may inform our future reporting.
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KEEP A LOOK OUT |
🌵 LOCAL NEWS |
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🇺🇲 U.S. NEWS |
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CANCELLED PRIDE: After the city of Arlington, Texas revoked all protecting for LHGBTQ+ people from its nondiscrimination ordinance, the local Pride organization cancelled the festival for next year. The Advocate
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ROB REINER'S LEGACY: The movie producer and comedy actor had spent millions supporting civil rights, including in the fight for marriage equality. CBS News
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LIST OF NAMES: Texas is creating a database of trans Texans using driver's license information. KUT News
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