Even before Minnesota Family Institute launched True North Legal, I was serving on the front lines to protect children from harmful legislation like Minnesota’s counseling censorship laws, also referred to as “conversation therapy bans”, with Minnesota Family Council. I’ve been in the fight to protect children and our God-given identity for nearly a decade.

Just last week, coming full circle, I told you about a landmark victory in the U.S. Supreme Court, Chiles v. Salazar where the Court held that Colorado’s counseling censorship law is presumptively unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. True North Legal represented Christian Counselors for Freedom Alliance, as well as Amici Nate Oyloe and Erin Brewer, in an amicus brief in that case supporting Alliance Defending Freedom client Kaley Chiles, the brave Christian counselor who successfully challenged Colorado’s unconstitutional law. In the amicus brief, Mr. Oyloe and Ms. Brewer bravely shared how they personally benefited from the opportunity to talk about their gender dysphoria with licensed counselors.

Only one week after the Supreme Court held that kids should be able to talk about their feelings with a counselor, the Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard two bills that contradict that decision. One bill would expand Minnesota's counseling ban to create a legal cause of action for counselors who help kids accept their sex, and the other would outlaw health plan coverage for counseling that helps kids accept their sex.  

These bills were given hearings even after the legislature’s first and second deadlines, which is generally inconsistent with the Senate process. There was also an amendment to one bill making several last-minute changes posted the evening before the 8:30 am Senate hearing. Yet, with very little time, and the Lord’s help, a powerful record was made exposing the real intent behind these bills to chill and burden speech:

• First, I explained how both bills run afoul of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Chiles by undermining free speech and sending kids on a way one path to sex-rejecting procedures like invasive surgeries and cross-sex hormones with life altering consequences. You can watch my testimony on those bills here and here.
• Two Minnesotans shared how counseling, and Jesus, saved their life. This bill won't allow the same freedom for others because it prohibits helpful conversations between counselors and kids. Watch Nate Oyloe and Gracie Poole of Agape First Ministries powerful testimonies here and here.
• Therapist and licensed counselor Pamela Garfield-Jaegar, LCSW, debunked the myths underlying counseling bans.
• Elizabeth Watson, RN, submitted written testimony that was cited on the record by Senators during the committee hearing.

True North Legal and Minnesota Family Council are committed to protecting children and advancing truth. In the face of adversity, we will continue showing up. We saw the fruits of our labor nearly a decade after our engagement on this issue at the U.S. Supreme Court in Chiles v. Salazar, we’re not stopping now.