In 2003, the United States Supreme Court reversed the 1986 opinion in Bowers v Hardwick, holding that the right of sexual intimacy was protected by the U.S. Constitution. The plaintiff in that case was John Geddes Lawrence. His willingness to fight for the right to love makes him a gay hero. I learned tonight of his death and thought this worth sharing with the wider commuity.
Because of John’s courage in pursuing this case, Lawrence v Texas, and because the Supreme Court was willing to reverse its 1986 ruling in Bowers v Hardwick, same-sex couples have been able to obtain legal rights that were unimaginable just 25 years ago.
Six states (plus the District of Columbia) now recognize same-sex marriage (and California recognizes marriages pre-Proposition 8). An additional 9 states recognize spousal equivalency in the form of registered domestic partnerships or civil unions. Other than the eary court victory that led to Vermont civil unions, all of these gains have occurred post Lawrence v Texas.
I salute you Mr. Lawrence for your courage and the life you lived that brought benefits to so many.
For a personal obituary see here.
On December 23, the New York Times published an article about Mr. Lawrence’s death here.
