Although official transcripts of the oral argument in Lawrence vs Texas apparently will nor be available for 10-15 days, here is an unoffical transcript.
A numberof other comments have been posted to QueerLaw, the mailing list devoted to discussion of issues surrounding sexual orientation and the law (which I created in 1995 and still administer).
Both Evan Wolfson, the gay community's advocate in the Supreme Court case Dale vs Boy Scouts and E.J. Graff, a syndicated columnist who has been writing cogently about legal cases (mostly marriage-related) for years both think that Lawrence and Garner will prevail, either 6-3 or 5-4 (depending on whether we get both O'Connor and Kennedy). Graff's commentary (which also includes a pretty good summary of the oral argument) can be found at http://www.prospect.org/webfeatures/2003/03/graff-e-03-27.html
Thursday, March 27, 2003
Supremes Wake Up And Smell The Cawfee
Apparently the argument went well for the good guys in Wednesday's Supreme Court argument in Lawrence vs Texas.
Here is an eyewitness account from someone who attended the oral argument
Also, Here is the NYT story on the case:
Supreme Court Seems Set to Reverse a Sodomy Law
By LINDA GREENHOUSE
WSHINGTON, March 26 — A majority of the Supreme Court appeared ready today to overturn a Texas "homosexual conduct" law that criminalizes sexual practices between same-sex couples that are lawful in the state when performed by a man and a woman.
Texas is one of four states to make such a distinction, and one of 13 with criminal sodomy laws still on their books. It appeared from the argument today, on behalf of two Houston men who were prosecuted after the police found them having sex in a private apartment, that the court would follow a path of least resistance and invoke the constitutional guarantee of equal protection to strike down the Texas law.
A decision along those lines would sidestep the more fundamental question of the constitutional status of gay rights. But the fact that such a moment had arrived in a court that only 17 years ago dismissed as "facetious" the notion that the constitutional right to privacy extended to the private sexual choices made by gay men and lesbians invested the courtroom with an air of drama that the lopsided and unsuspenseful argument itself could not dispel.
Apparently the argument went well for the good guys in Wednesday's Supreme Court argument in Lawrence vs Texas.
Here is an eyewitness account from someone who attended the oral argument
Also, Here is the NYT story on the case:
By LINDA GREENHOUSE
WSHINGTON, March 26 — A majority of the Supreme Court appeared ready today to overturn a Texas "homosexual conduct" law that criminalizes sexual practices between same-sex couples that are lawful in the state when performed by a man and a woman.
Texas is one of four states to make such a distinction, and one of 13 with criminal sodomy laws still on their books. It appeared from the argument today, on behalf of two Houston men who were prosecuted after the police found them having sex in a private apartment, that the court would follow a path of least resistance and invoke the constitutional guarantee of equal protection to strike down the Texas law.
A decision along those lines would sidestep the more fundamental question of the constitutional status of gay rights. But the fact that such a moment had arrived in a court that only 17 years ago dismissed as "facetious" the notion that the constitutional right to privacy extended to the private sexual choices made by gay men and lesbians invested the courtroom with an air of drama that the lopsided and unsuspenseful argument itself could not dispel.
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
I've been wanting to start a blog for over a year and I happened to see a link to someone else's blog to http://www.blogspot.com while I was checking the Gaydar website. I'm amazed at how easy it is to set up my own blog here.
Anyway, the first thing I would like to talk about is Supreme Court Oral Arguments in Lawrence vs Texas which will be held on Wednesday March 26 at 10am EST. This is an opportunity for the Court to get rid of distasteful sodomy laws which makes gays and lesbians second-class citizens.
Of course the next topic to talk about it is the 75th Academy Awards. It's fascinating to me that all my younger queer buddies (under 30) have no interest in the awards or nominations. I don't know if this is a result of the increase in the number of media outlets which has led to the decrease in salience of film, or what. But regardless, it was quite a surprise to see "The Pianist" beat out "Chicago" in the major categories of best original screenplay and best director.
Supremes get kinky
Anyway, the first thing I would like to talk about is Supreme Court Oral Arguments in Lawrence vs Texas which will be held on Wednesday March 26 at 10am EST. This is an opportunity for the Court to get rid of distasteful sodomy laws which makes gays and lesbians second-class citizens.
Chicago? Krakow!
Of course the next topic to talk about it is the 75th Academy Awards. It's fascinating to me that all my younger queer buddies (under 30) have no interest in the awards or nominations. I don't know if this is a result of the increase in the number of media outlets which has led to the decrease in salience of film, or what. But regardless, it was quite a surprise to see "The Pianist" beat out "Chicago" in the major categories of best original screenplay and best director.
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