Roberts' Role in Gay Case Re-emphasizes Need for Full Examination

by HRC Staff

'Judge Roberts' involvement in the case is noteworthy, but his participation adds little to our understanding of how he would vote on the court,' said HRC President Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese released the following statement today in response to a report in The Los Angeles Times that Supreme Court nominee John Roberts provided assistance to the plaintiffs in Romer v. Evans, the case that overturned Colorado's anti-gay Amendment 2 in 1996.

"Judge Roberts' involvement in the case is noteworthy, but his participation adds little to our understanding of how he would vote on the court. The stakes are too high for guessing games over Judge Roberts' stance.

"The Supreme Court makes critical decisions and it is the nominee's job to guarantee that he will protect individual rights and freedoms on the nation's highest court. Judge Roberts has consistently argued that as an attorney, he has zealously represented the interests of his client, no matter his personal views. Judge Roberts should make clear where he personally stands on important constitutional principles.

"It also remains unclear the extent of Roberts' involvement in the case. In fact in a Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire Roberts is asked specifically about his pro bono work and he does not mention the case once in his 67-page response. The Senate Judiciary Committee should aggressively and appropriately determine the answers to these questions."

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.



WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese released the following statement today in response to a report in The Los Angeles Times that Supreme Court nominee John Roberts provided assistance to the plaintiffs in Romer v. Evans, the case that overturned Colorado's anti-gay Amendment 2 in 1996.

"Judge Roberts' involvement in the case is noteworthy, but his participation adds little to our understanding of how he would vote on the court. The stakes are too high for guessing games over Judge Roberts' stance.

"The Supreme Court makes critical decisions and it is the nominee's job to guarantee that he will protect individual rights and freedoms on the nation's highest court. Judge Roberts has consistently argued that as an attorney, he has zealously represented the interests of his client, no matter his personal views. Judge Roberts should make clear where he personally stands on important constitutional principles.

"It also remains unclear the extent of Roberts' involvement in the case. In fact in a Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire Roberts is asked specifically about his pro bono work and he does not mention the case once in his 67-page response. The Senate Judiciary Committee should aggressively and appropriately determine the answers to these questions."

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

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