Lawrence v. Texas
Houston police arrested two men for violating the state's statute prohibiting sexual conduct between people of the same sex after responding to a disturbance call in a private residence. The convicted arrestees appealed Houston's court ruling throughout the courts until it came across the docket of the Supreme Court of the United States on March 26, 2003. This case was the first vital test of the sodomy laws that dictated homophobic mentalities the South.
The final decision came down with a 6-3 vote in favor of Lawrence:
"Held: The Texas statute making it a crime for two persons of the same sex to engage in certain intimate sexual conduct violates the Due Process Clause. Pp. 3-18."
With that, the sodomy laws deemed unconstitutional.
Article: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/539/558.html
The final decision came down with a 6-3 vote in favor of Lawrence:
"Held: The Texas statute making it a crime for two persons of the same sex to engage in certain intimate sexual conduct violates the Due Process Clause. Pp. 3-18."
With that, the sodomy laws deemed unconstitutional.
Article: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/539/558.html
United States v. Windsor
In 2012, Edith Windsor challenged Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) ruling that the words "marriage" and "spouse" were, legally, only used for a couple of the opposite sex. The state taxed Windsor after her deceased wife had bequeathed her everything because their marriage was performed out of state and therefore not recognized by the state government. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's findings cemented DOMA as unconstitutional, 17 years after DOMA was enacted.
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote: "The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity. By seeking to displace this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less respected than others, the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth Amendment."
Article: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2012/12-307
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote: "The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity. By seeking to displace this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less respected than others, the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth Amendment."
Article: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2012/12-307
Obergefell v. Hodges
Same-sex couples from Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee sued their respective states as each state did not recognize the validity of the couples' marriage, performed in other states. The Supreme Court reversed the states' ban on same-sex marriage as it violated their Fourteenth Amendment Rights.
Opening arguments started on April 28, 2015. Mary L. Bonauto argued, "The intimate and committed relationships of same-sex couples, just like those of heterosexual couples, provide mutual support and are the foundation of family life in our society."
For the first time, the right for all to marry was being talked about and listened to in the highest court of this country.
Opening arguments started on April 28, 2015. Mary L. Bonauto argued, "The intimate and committed relationships of same-sex couples, just like those of heterosexual couples, provide mutual support and are the foundation of family life in our society."
For the first time, the right for all to marry was being talked about and listened to in the highest court of this country.
Article: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2014/14-556
June 26, 2015
On June 26, 2015, the White House was lit up the like a rainbow, showing support for the legalization of same-sex marriage. This photo comes 33 years after the White House refused to acknowledge the AIDS crisis and laugh at the "gay plague." A photo such as this represents a considerable shift in the attitude the United States Government has had over the past few decades.
Article: https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/supreme-court-says-i-do-to-same-sex-marriage/2/
Article: https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/supreme-court-says-i-do-to-same-sex-marriage/2/
On June 26, 2015, Gay marriage was legalized. Couples like the one in this photo celebrated their now legal love together all across the country. These parades were instrumental in bringing the LGBTQ+ community together in celebration. This time, people were taking to the streets in joy, not protest.
Article: http://archive.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2011/06/27/at_ny_pride_parade_joy_over_gay_marriage_law/
Article: http://archive.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2011/06/27/at_ny_pride_parade_joy_over_gay_marriage_law/
Modern Champions
Television legend, Oprah Winfrey is a crucial advocate for LGBTQ rights. She helped Lady Gaga launch her Born This Way Foundation and has donated to many other organizations supporting LGBTQ+ individuals. Oprah is a household name and for her name to be attached to the LGBTQ+ community is influential beyond compare.
Article: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/09/07/celebrities-you-didnt-know-were-patrons-of-lgbt-charities/
Tim Gill, software programmer, has donated $422 million under the radar into the LGBTQ fight for equal rights. Joe Biden and countless others praise him for his donation: "If not for the work of Tim Gill, there's no telling where the LGBTQ Rights Movement would be."
Article: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/meet-tim-gill-megadonor-behind-lgbtq-rights-movement-wins-w489213
Tim Gill, software programmer, has donated $422 million under the radar into the LGBTQ fight for equal rights. Joe Biden and countless others praise him for his donation: "If not for the work of Tim Gill, there's no telling where the LGBTQ Rights Movement would be."
Article: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/meet-tim-gill-megadonor-behind-lgbtq-rights-movement-wins-w489213
Embracing LGBTQ Youth
Disney Adds a New LGBTQ TV Show
Disney Channel will feature its first teen-based gay storyline during the second season of Andi Mack. Andi's friend, Cyrus, reveals to her that he is gay. Disney's goal is to help make children more comfortable with their identity; however, there are still some parents who have responded negatively by refusing to let their kids watch the show.
Article: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/10/25/disney-channel-adding-first-lgbtq-storyline-in-andi-mack-premiere.html
Article: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/10/25/disney-channel-adding-first-lgbtq-storyline-in-andi-mack-premiere.html
Speaking Out: LGBTQ+ Youth Stand Up
This book by Steve Berman, like the show Andi Mack, is one example of the way people are being encouraged to embrace their identity starting at a young age. Berman's call to children and teenagers to speak up because they should never be silenced, it groundbreaking as it was one of the first books dedicated to the kids of the LGBTQ community. "My hope is that by the time you set this book down, you'll be encouraged to speak up, speak out. In 1987, six gay activists in New York began promoting AIDS awareness with the slogan SILENCE=DEATH. But silence also means bullying and seclusion, inurement and loneliness. Those of you have come out, be heard. Those o you who know someone who is LGBT, let them be heard (and if you only suspect they are queer, listen harder). For those of you who are peering out from the closet, trust your voice. Be heard. All of us involved in Speaking Out are ready not only to tell our stories but to listen to yours. Steve Berman Spring 2011" Article: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10635336-speaking-out |
With Progress, Come Setbacks
Orlando Shooting
On June 12th, 2016 Omar Mateen, a member of ISIS, killed 49 people and injured 58. This is considered one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history. After this shooting on a gay nightclub, thousands of people have responded with their love and support for Orlando and the LGBTQ+ community.
Article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/they-took-too-damn-long-inside-the-police-response-to-the-orlando-shooting/2016/08/01/67a66130-5447-11e6-88eb-7dda4e2f2aec_story.html?utm_term=.5d9d493796df
Article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/they-took-too-damn-long-inside-the-police-response-to-the-orlando-shooting/2016/08/01/67a66130-5447-11e6-88eb-7dda4e2f2aec_story.html?utm_term=.5d9d493796df
Mississippi Anti-LGBTQ Law
Hints of the rights of the LGBTQ+ community getting backtracked are still prevalent today. On Monday, January 9th, 2018 the Supreme Court refused to resist the law in Mississippi that says state employees and private businesses may refuse service to LGBTQ people based on religious reasons.
Article: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/supreme-court-allows-mississippi-anti-lgbt-law-stand-n835721
Article: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/supreme-court-allows-mississippi-anti-lgbt-law-stand-n835721
Although many people welcome this way of life, there is progress still to be made. The United States has a long way to go regarding equality, but the progress of the present gives hope for the future.
Click on the button "Gender:2000s" below to check out LGBTQ+ in relation to gender.