On May 20, 1996, the United States Supreme Court delivered a momentous verdict in Romer v. Evans, a case that challenged a discriminatory Colorado constitutional amendment known as Amendment 2. This landmark decision marked a significant step forward in the protection of LGBT+ rights and set a precedent for future legal battles. In this article, we will explore the background, arguments, and implications of Romer v. Evans.
Background and Legal Challenge
Amendment 2, enacted in 1992, sought to deny protected status to individuals based on their sexual orientation by prohibiting any legislation that would grant protected status to homosexual and bisexual individuals. It prevented any city, town, or county in Colorado from enacting anti-discrimination laws or policies to protect LGBT+ individuals from discrimination. This exclusionary amendment was met with widespread criticism and legal challenges.
The case was brought before the Supreme Court by Richard G. Evans, a gay man who served as a Denver city employee. Evans argued that Amendment 2 violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law to all citizens.
Supreme Court Ruling
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Richard Evans and struck down Amendment 2 as unconstitutional. Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority, argued that Amendment 2 lacked a rational basis and was grounded in animosity towards LGBT+ individuals rather than any legitimate governmental interest. The Court concluded that the amendment classified a group of citizens based on their sexual orientation and denied them the protection and benefits granted to others, infringing upon their fundamental rights.
Implications and Legacy
Romer v. Evans represented a significant victory for LGBT+ rights, as the Supreme Court declared that laws targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation were subject to the same constitutional scrutiny as laws discriminating on the basis of race or gender. The decision undermined the notion that sexual orientation could be used as a basis for unequal treatment under the law.
The ruling in Romer v. Evans set an important precedent for subsequent LGBTQ+ rights cases, including Lawrence v. Texas (2003) and United States v. Windsor (2013), which ultimately led to the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). It marked a turning point in the fight against discrimination and laid the foundation for greater legal protections for LGBT+ individuals.
Romer v. Evans also had broader implications beyond LGBT+ rights. The decision reaffirmed the fundamental principle of equal protection under the law and highlighted the importance of combating discrimination in all forms. It underscored the judiciary’s role in safeguarding the rights of marginalized groups and promoting equality and justice for all.
Conclusion
Romer v. Evans was a watershed moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, as the Supreme Court struck down a discriminatory amendment and reaffirmed the principle of equal protection under the law. The decision paved the way for subsequent legal victories and marked a significant step forward in the recognition and protection of LGBT+ individuals’ rights. Romer v. Evans serves as a reminder of the power of the judiciary to combat discrimination and uphold the principles of equality and justice for all.