Noteworthy Court Cases
These are some of the noteworthy court cases that have furthered equal rights for LGBT Americans:
Schroer v. Library of Congress
September 19, 2008
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia found that the Library of Congress ("Library") violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964’s prohibition on sex discrimination when the Library rescinded an employment offer to the plaintiff after she informed the Library that she was transitioning from male to female. On April 29, 2009, the court awarded Schroer $491,900 in damages, lost back pay and benefits, and other compensation. Notably, the Department of Justice did not appeal the decision.
Witt v. Dep’t of the Air Force
May 21, 2008
The Ninth Circuit held that the U.S. military’s "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell" ("DADT") policy is subject to heightened scrutiny in light of Lawrence v. Texas. The Ninth Circuit found that this heightened level of scrutiny is "as applied"–and that each individual service member’s discharge under DADT must be necessary to "advance an important governmental interest."
Lawrence v. Texas
June 26, 2003
The United States Supreme Court holds that sodomy statutes are unconstitutional; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals have a right to engage in private, consensual sexual conduct.
Bragdon v. Abbot
June 25, 1998
The United States Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling determining that HIV infection constitutes a disability protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services Inc.
March 4, 1998
The United States Supreme Court recognizes sexual harassment between employees of the same sex violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Romer v. Evans
May 20, 1996
The United States Supreme Court holds that Colorado's anti-gay referendum violates the Equal Protection Clause, reasoning that bare animus directed toward gay individuals is not a legitimate state interest.
Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins
May 1, 1989
The United States Supreme Court found that using sex stereotypes to make an employment decision violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Roe v. Wade
January 22, 1973
The United States Supreme Court found the right to privacy is broad enough to apply to abortion with some limitations. While not the first case to recognize the right of privacy, efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade center on challenging the existence of a right to privacy. If this case were to be overturned, it would potentially have a negative impact on all subsequent decisions based on a right to privacy, such as Lawrence.