'The Kansas Supreme Court leveled the playing field today,' said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - In a unanimous decision, the Kansas Supreme Court struck down today a law that sent Matthew Limon, a gay teen, to prison for 17 years when a heterosexual teen would have been sentenced to only 15 months.

"The Kansas Supreme Court leveled the playing field today," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "We teach our children not to treat people differently but our law does just that. Matthew Limon has served more than his time and we applaud the American Civil Liberties Union and the court for this important victory for equal treatment under the law."

Matthew Limon lived in a school for developmentally impaired teens in 2000 when he, a week after turning 18, and another teen, 14, had sexual contact. Limon was sentenced to 17 years in prison. But under the state's so-called "Romeo and Juliet" law, heterosexual teens in the same experience would have received no longer than 15 months.

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.