Dear TLI family,
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that could have profound implications for freedom of speech, religious liberty, and the care of young people across our nation. The Court scrutinized a Colorado law that bans licensed psychologists and therapists from engaging in any counseling related to a child’s gender identity that could be interpreted as an “effort to change” it.
Colorado Solicitor General Shannon Stevenson defended the statute, which classifies such efforts as “conversion therapy” and prohibits them when treating minors. The law, however, explicitly excludes parents, clergy, and other non-licensed individuals. Nearly half of U.S. states have enacted similar laws, and the Supreme Court’s eventual decision could set a nationwide precedent, either solidifying or overturning these restrictions.
At the heart of the debate lies a crucial question: Can the state prohibit licensed professionals from offering counseling aligned with a patient’s or family’s moral or religious convictions? And, can professionals be compelled to affirm one particular ideological position on human sexuality and gender, regardless of conscience or faith?
These are not abstract questions. They cut to the core of what it means to live one’s faith authentically in the public square. For Catholics, this is a defining cultural moment, a test of whether our society will continue to recognize the freedom to live according to objective truth, guided by reason and faith.
This is precisely why the mission of Tepeyac Leadership is so essential today.
Tepeyac Leadership exists to form and accompany lay Catholic leaders who can bring the light of truth into every sector of society: law, business, education, media, healthcare, and public service. Our work equips Catholic professionals to lead with integrity and courage, particularly when the dominant culture demands silence or conformity. We do not simply teach leadership skills; we cultivate a spiritual and moral foundation rooted in Christ and His Church.
In moments like this, the need for such formation becomes evident. The Colorado law and others like it illustrate how quickly moral relativism can evolve into coercion. When truth is treated as subjective, freedom inevitably erodes. The state begins to decide which ideas may be spoken, which values may be lived, and which beliefs must be suppressed.
But our faith teaches us that truth is not a threat to freedom, it is its foundation. Jesus Christ reveals the fullness of human dignity and love, and His Church offers the wisdom to understand and accompany every person with compassion and clarity. To love someone truly is to desire their flourishing according to the truth of who they are as children of God, created male and female in His image.
As members of the TLI family, we are called to respond not with fear or anger but with faith and conviction. The confusion of our time demands leaders who can stand firm in truth while radiating charity. TLI seeks to form leaders who engage the culture rather than retreat from it, leaders that bears witness to the Gospel in boardrooms, classrooms, courtrooms, and clinics.
Whether the Supreme Court upholds or strikes down Colorado’s law, the deeper question remains: Who will shape the moral imagination of our society? Will it be those who seek to silence truth in the name of ideology, or those who humbly serve others by speaking and living the truth in love?
At Tepeyac Leadership, we believe the answer must be the latter, and that God wants to raise up lay Catholic leaders like you to do exactly that. Let us continue to pray for the justices of the Supreme Court, for all those affected by this case, and for courage to fulfill our mission in these challenging times.
Sincerely yours in Christ and Our Lady of Guadalupe,
P.S. We are now taking applications for the TLI 2026 cohort! Apply today to be part of the next generation of Tepeyac Leaders.
