Romer v. Evans is a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case from 1996 that struck down a Colorado state constitutional amendment that prohibited any governmental protections for individuals based on their sexual orientation. The ruling established that laws discriminating against sexual orientation violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, marking a significant step in advancing the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and addressing sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination.
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The case arose after Colorado voters passed Amendment 2 in 1992, which sought to prevent any legislation that would protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that Amendment 2 violated the Equal Protection Clause because it singled out gay individuals for unequal treatment.
Romer v. Evans was one of the first major Supreme Court cases to address the issue of sexual orientation discrimination directly, laying groundwork for future LGBTQ+ rights cases.
The ruling emphasized that laws must have a rational basis and cannot be based solely on animus towards a particular group.
Romer v. Evans is often viewed as a critical turning point in the movement toward legal recognition and protection of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.
Review Questions
What were the implications of Romer v. Evans for the legal treatment of sexual orientation in U.S. law?
Romer v. Evans had profound implications for the legal treatment of sexual orientation in U.S. law by establishing that discrimination against individuals based on their sexual orientation violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision set a precedent that would influence future cases related to LGBTQ+ rights and challenged state laws that discriminated against gay individuals. The case marked a significant shift toward recognizing and protecting the rights of sexual minorities under U.S. law.
How did Romer v. Evans challenge existing state laws regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation?
Romer v. Evans challenged existing state laws by declaring Colorado's Amendment 2 unconstitutional for denying equal protections to individuals based on sexual orientation. The Supreme Court found that such laws lacked any legitimate governmental interest and were rooted in animus towards a particular group. This case paved the way for further legal challenges to discriminatory laws across various states, demonstrating that state-sanctioned discrimination could be contested through constitutional arguments.
Evaluate how Romer v. Evans has influenced subsequent Supreme Court decisions regarding LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in light of cases like Obergefell v. Hodges.
Romer v. Evans significantly influenced subsequent Supreme Court decisions regarding LGBTQ+ rights by establishing a judicial precedent that recognized sexual orientation discrimination as a violation of the Equal Protection Clause. This foundational ruling helped frame later cases, including Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015. By affirming that laws must not discriminate without legitimate justification, Romer created an essential framework for understanding and advancing LGBTQ+ rights, ultimately leading to broader legal protections and social acceptance.
A provision in the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution that requires states to provide equal protection under the law to all persons within their jurisdictions.
A landmark Supreme Court case in 2003 that invalidated laws against consensual same-sex conduct, further establishing the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and building on the foundation set by Romer v. Evans.