Romer v. Evans is a landmark Supreme Court case from 1996 that struck down an amendment to the Colorado Constitution that denied protected status to individuals based on their sexual orientation. This case is significant in the context of equal protection as it established that laws which discriminate against a particular group, in this case, the LGBTQ+ community, are subject to heightened scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
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The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that the Colorado amendment violated the Equal Protection Clause by discriminating against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Romer v. Evans set a precedent for future cases involving sexual orientation discrimination and paved the way for increased legal protections for LGBTQ+ rights.
The ruling emphasized that animus towards a particular group is not a legitimate governmental interest when enacting laws.
The case was significant in that it marked one of the first times the Supreme Court addressed issues related to sexual orientation explicitly.
Following Romer v. Evans, several states began to reconsider their own laws regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation, leading to broader social change.
Review Questions
How did Romer v. Evans challenge existing laws regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation?
Romer v. Evans challenged existing discriminatory laws by striking down an amendment in Colorado that specifically targeted LGBTQ+ individuals, denying them equal protection under the law. The Supreme Court ruled that this action constituted unconstitutional discrimination, highlighting that laws cannot be enacted with animus towards a particular group. This case set a strong precedent for equal treatment and laid groundwork for future legal challenges against discriminatory practices.
What was the impact of the Supreme Court's ruling in Romer v. Evans on subsequent cases involving equal protection for LGBTQ+ individuals?
The ruling in Romer v. Evans had a profound impact on subsequent cases involving equal protection for LGBTQ+ individuals by establishing a legal framework that requires heightened scrutiny for laws discriminating based on sexual orientation. This precedent has been referenced in later decisions, such as United States v. Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges, as courts increasingly recognized the need to protect LGBTQ+ rights and ensure equality under the law. The case demonstrated that discriminatory laws would face rigorous judicial examination, shaping future litigation strategies.
Evaluate how Romer v. Evans contributes to our understanding of equal protection principles and societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights.
Romer v. Evans contributes significantly to our understanding of equal protection principles by illustrating how laws based on animus against a particular group violate constitutional protections. This case also reflects shifting societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights, demonstrating an increasing recognition of these individuals as deserving of equal treatment under the law. By invalidating discriminatory legislation, Romer v. Evans not only reinforced legal protections but also catalyzed broader social movements advocating for equality and acceptance, influencing public perception and legislative changes regarding LGBTQ+ rights across the nation.
A provision in the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that states no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Suspect Class: A category of people who have been historically discriminated against and are afforded special protection under the law when it comes to issues of equal protection.
The highest standard of judicial review used by courts to evaluate laws that discriminate against suspect classes, requiring that the law serve a compelling governmental interest and be narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.