Romer v. Evans

Definition

Romer v. Evans is a landmark Supreme Court case from 1996 that struck down a Colorado constitutional amendment that denied legal protections to individuals based on their sexual orientation. This decision was significant as it set a precedent for LGBTQ+ rights by affirming that laws cannot discriminate against a specific group of people, particularly in the context of sexual orientation. The ruling emphasized the importance of equal protection under the law, which has shaped subsequent legal battles regarding LGBTQ+ rights and discrimination.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The case arose after Colorado voters passed Amendment 2, which prohibited any city or county from recognizing homosexuals as a protected class under anti-discrimination laws.
2. The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision, stating that the amendment violated the Equal Protection Clause by singling out homosexuals for disparate treatment.
3. Justice Anthony Kennedy authored the majority opinion, highlighting that the amendment was motivated by animus toward gay individuals.
4. Romer v. Evans was one of the first cases to apply heightened scrutiny to laws targeting sexual orientation, paving the way for future cases related to LGBTQ+ rights.
5. This decision laid the groundwork for later rulings, including Lawrence v. Texas and Obergefell v. Hodges, which further advanced LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.

Review Questions

• How did Romer v. Evans influence the legal landscape for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States?
  • Romer v. Evans significantly influenced LGBTQ+ rights by establishing that laws cannot discriminate against individuals based on sexual orientation. The Supreme Court's ruling indicated that any legal measures targeting a specific group must be subjected to strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause. This case set an important precedent for future litigation aimed at securing equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals, influencing decisions such as Lawrence v. Texas and Obergefell v. Hodges.
• Discuss the implications of Justice Kennedy's opinion in Romer v. Evans on subsequent Supreme Court rulings regarding discrimination.
  • Justice Kennedy's opinion in Romer v. Evans emphasized that discrimination against homosexuals was not only unjust but also unconstitutional. His framing of animus as a primary motivator behind Amendment 2 established a critical lens through which future cases would be analyzed. This perspective has continued to resonate in subsequent rulings where courts scrutinized laws with discriminatory intent, thus reinforcing protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and contributing to advancements in their rights.
• Evaluate how Romer v. Evans reflects broader societal changes in attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals and rights leading up to the 21st century.
  • Romer v. Evans serves as a reflection of the shifting societal attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals in the late 20th century, marking a turning point in public perception and legal recognition. The case emerged during a time of increasing activism for LGBTQ+ rights, and its outcome illustrated the growing acknowledgment of sexual orientation as a legitimate basis for legal protection against discrimination. This landmark ruling not only validated the efforts of activists but also catalyzed further legal challenges that eventually contributed to significant milestones in equality, such as marriage rights and anti-discrimination protections at both state and federal levels.

Related terms

Equal Protection Clause:

A provision in the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that requires states to treat all individuals equally under the law.

Lawrence v. Texas:

A Supreme Court case from 2003 that invalidated laws prohibiting consensual same-sex conduct, further advancing LGBTQ+ rights.

Bostock v. Clayton County: A 2020 Supreme Court case that ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.