Ten LGBT Court Cases that Changed the Gay Rights Movement

by Michael A. Jones ,
Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization. Change.org

So it may not have been as much fun as an episode of Boston Legal, L.A. Law or, God forbid, Cop Rock, but the fight for LGBT rights could not exist without litigation. Battles in the courtroom have often (although not always) translated into victories for the LGBT rights movement. Below are ten cases that changed the playing field for LGBT rights in the U.S.

1. Romer v. Evans
2. Baehr v. Miike
3. Baker v. Vermont
4. Fricke v. Lynch
5. Benitez v. North Coast Women’s Care Medical Group
6. Goodridge v. Department of Public Health
7. Lawrence v. Texas
8. Cammermeyer v. Perry
9. Taylor v. Rice
10. Colin v. Orange Unified School District

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