Sexual Orientation

Don't Ask Don't Tell

A policy that prohibited openly gay individuals from serving in the military but did not allow military personnel to inquire about one's sexual orientation.

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

Legislation signed by President Clinton in 1996 defining marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman.

James Bird and Matthew Shepard Act

A federal law that made any crime motivated by disability, gender, sexual orientation, or race a federal hate crime.

Eisenstadt v. Baird (1972)

A Supreme Court case that expanded the scope of sexual privacy to include unmarried couples.

Bowers v. Hardwick (1986)

A Supreme Court case that ruled there is no constitutional protection for gay men engaging in consensual sex.

Boy Scouts of America v. Dale (2000)

Supreme Court case ruling that the Boy Scouts, as a private organization, can set their own membership criteria.

Lawrence v. Texas (2003)

A Supreme Court ruling that states cannot have anti-sodomy laws, protecting the rights of individuals to engage in same-sex conduct.

United States v. Windsor (2013)

A ruling that states cannot deny marriage licenses issued in other states.

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

A Supreme Court ruling that established marriage equality based on the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause.

Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission (2018)

A case where the Supreme Court held that a cake maker cannot be compelled to create a cake for a same-sex wedding due to free speech rights.