From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Queers Celebrate Sodomy Decision
Jubilant queers celebrate Supreme Court victory, but acknowledge that much work remains
Hundreds of jubilant queers rallied in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood on Thursday, June 26, to celebrate the Supreme Court decision overturning the Texas sodomy law.
The decision stems from a case in which police stormed a gay male couple's bedroom and arrested them for having private sex.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Texas law is an unconsitiutional invasion of privacy. The decision paves the way for the ouster of sodomy laws in 13 states -- a few of which ban only same-sex sodomy and the rest of which prohibit oral and anal sex regardless of gender -- even for married heterosexual couples in some cases.
Justice Kennedy, writing for the 6-3 majority, said that the Supreme Court's 1986 Bowers vs Hardwick decision upholding Georgia's sodomy law was wrong then and remains wrong now.
"The state cannot demean their existence or control
their destiny by making their private sexual conduct a
crime," he said.
The three dissenting justices (Rehnquist, Scalia, and Thomas) argued on the grounds of morality. "The court has taken sides in a culture war," wrote Scalia. "The court has largely signed on to the so-called homosexual agenda."
Queers in dozens of cities across the U.S. celebrated Thursday's decision, which comes days before gay pride marches in many cities, including San Francisco.
Activists, gay elected officials, and members of LGBT advocacy groups praised the decision, but acknowledged that the fight for equal rights is not oover. Several noted that LGBT people in many countries around the world are still persecuted.
"Today's decision is about sex, but it's also about more than that," said a member of the Lavender Greens. "The homosexual agenda is the American agenda -- full equality under the law."
The decision stems from a case in which police stormed a gay male couple's bedroom and arrested them for having private sex.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Texas law is an unconsitiutional invasion of privacy. The decision paves the way for the ouster of sodomy laws in 13 states -- a few of which ban only same-sex sodomy and the rest of which prohibit oral and anal sex regardless of gender -- even for married heterosexual couples in some cases.
Justice Kennedy, writing for the 6-3 majority, said that the Supreme Court's 1986 Bowers vs Hardwick decision upholding Georgia's sodomy law was wrong then and remains wrong now.
"The state cannot demean their existence or control
their destiny by making their private sexual conduct a
crime," he said.
The three dissenting justices (Rehnquist, Scalia, and Thomas) argued on the grounds of morality. "The court has taken sides in a culture war," wrote Scalia. "The court has largely signed on to the so-called homosexual agenda."
Queers in dozens of cities across the U.S. celebrated Thursday's decision, which comes days before gay pride marches in many cities, including San Francisco.
Activists, gay elected officials, and members of LGBT advocacy groups praised the decision, but acknowledged that the fight for equal rights is not oover. Several noted that LGBT people in many countries around the world are still persecuted.
"Today's decision is about sex, but it's also about more than that," said a member of the Lavender Greens. "The homosexual agenda is the American agenda -- full equality under the law."
Add Your Comments
Latest Comments
Listed below are the latest comments about this post.
These comments are submitted anonymously by website visitors.
TITLE
AUTHOR
DATE
Faerie Freedom Village - non-commercial space at Pride
Fri, Jun 27, 2003 8:01PM
"Right wing" Court?
Fri, Jun 27, 2003 2:59PM
"and for humanity???"
Fri, Jun 27, 2003 8:13AM
are we a little fixated?
Fri, Jun 27, 2003 1:20AM
General Thoughts
Fri, Jun 27, 2003 12:09AM
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network