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Bowers vs. Hardwick
Bowers vs. Hardwick was a 1986 case heard before the United States Supreme Court that upheld Georgia sodomy laws which deemed homosexual sex as an illegal activity. https://www.oyez.org/cases/1985/85-140 -
Romer vs. Evans
The state of Colorado passed an initiative through election that would prevent any town, city, or county to recognize homosexuals as a protected class. On May 2, 1996 the United States Supreme Court ruled this unconstitutional by a 6-3 vote. https://www.oyez.org/cases/1995/94-1039 -
Lawrence vs. Texas
The United States Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the sodomy laws in Texas do not cover private sexual activities by consenting homosexual adults. This case served as an reversal on the 1986 Bowers vs. Hardwick case. https://www.oyez.org/cases/2002/02-102 -
United States vs. Windsor
Through a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional. Section 3 stated that marriage was defined as a union between one man and one woman as husband and wife. This case forced the federal government to recognize marriages that have been approved by various states. https://www.oyez.org/cases/2012/12-307 -
Obergefell vs. Hodges
Obergefell vs. Hodges was a case heard before the United States Supreme Court in 2015 that allowed marriage to be a fundamental right to same-sex couples. The court ruled in a 5-4 decision that this was guaranteed to these couples because of the Due Process Clause and Equal Protection by the Fourteenth Amendment. https://www.oyez.org/cases/2012/12-307 -
President Obama Speaks on Obergefell vs. Hodges
