lawrence et al texas argued march decided june responding reported weapons disturbance private residence houston police entered petitioner lawrence apartment saw another adult man petitioner garner engaging private consensual sexual act petitioners arrested convicted deviate sexual intercourse violation texas statute forbidding two persons sex engage certain intimate sexual conduct affirming state appeals held inter alia statute unconstitutional due process clause fourteenth amendment considered bowers hardwick controlling point held texas statute making crime two persons sex engage certain intimate sexual conduct violates due process clause pp resolution case depends whether petitioners free adults engage private conduct exercise liberty due process clause inquiry deems necessary reconsider bowers holding bowers initial substantive statement issue presented whether federal constitution confers fundamental right upon homosexuals engage sodomy discloses failure appreciate extent liberty stake say issue bowers simply right engage certain sexual conduct demeans claim individual put forward demean married couple said marriage right sexual intercourse although laws involved bowers purport prohibit particular sexual act penalties purposes consequences touching upon private human conduct sexual behavior private places home seek control personal relationship whether entitled formal recognition law within liberty persons choose without punished criminals liberty protected constitution allows homosexual persons right choose enter upon relationships confines homes private lives still retain dignity free persons pp misapprehended liberty claim presented bowers stated proscriptions sodomy ancient roots nation laws traditions past half century relevant show emerging awareness liberty gives substantial protection adult persons deciding conduct private lives matters pertaining sex see county sacramento lewis pp bowers deficiencies became even apparent years following announcement laws prohibiting conduct referenced bowers reduced enforce laws homosexual conduct including texas still proscribe sodomy whether heterosexual conduct pattern nonenforcement respect consenting adults acting private casey supra confirmed due process clause protects personal decisions relating marriage procreation contraception family relationships child rearing education romer evans struck legislation directed homosexuals cast bowers holding even doubt stigma texas criminal statute imposes moreover trivial although offense minor misdemeanor remains criminal offense imports dignity persons charged including notation convictions records job application forms registration sex offenders state law case foundations sustained serious erosion criticism sources greater significance criticism bowers substantial continuing disapproving reasoning respects historical assumptions extent bowers relied values shared wider civilization case reasoning holding rejected european human rights nations taken action consistent affirmation protected right homosexual adults engage intimate consensual conduct showing country governmental interest circumscribing personal choice somehow legitimate urgent stare decisis inexorable command payne tennessee bowers holding induced detrimental reliance sort counsel overturning compelling reasons casey supra bowers causes uncertainty precedents contradict central holding pp bowers rationale withstand careful analysis dissenting opinion bowers justice stevens concluded fact state governing majority traditionally viewed particular practice immoral sufficient reason upholding law prohibiting practice individual decisions concerning intimacies physical relationships even intended produce offspring form liberty protected due process analysis controlled bowers controls bowers correct decided correct today hereby overruled case involve minors persons might injured coerced might easily refuse consent public conduct prostitution involve two adults full mutual consent engaged sexual practices common homosexual lifestyle petitioners right liberty due process clause gives full right engage private conduct without government intervention casey supra texas statute furthers legitimate state interest justify intrusion individual personal private life pp reversed remanded kennedy delivered opinion stevens souter ginsburg breyer joined filed opinion concurring judgment scalia filed dissenting opinion rehnquist thomas joined thomas filed dissenting opinion john geddes lawrence tyron garner petitioners texas writ certiorari appeals texas fourteenth district june justice kennedy delivered opinion liberty protects person unwarranted government intrusions dwelling private places tradition state omnipresent home spheres lives existence outside home state dominant presence freedom extends beyond spatial bounds liberty presumes autonomy self includes freedom thought belief expression certain intimate conduct instant case involves liberty person spatial transcendent dimensions question validity texas statute making crime two persons sex engage certain intimate sexual conduct houston texas officers harris county police department dispatched private residence response reported weapons disturbance entered apartment one petitioners john geddes lawrence resided right police enter seem questioned officers observed lawrence another man tyron garner engaging sexual act two petitioners arrested held custody night charged convicted justice peace complaints described crime deviate sexual intercourse namely anal sex member sex man app pet cert applicable state law tex penal code ann provides person commits offense engages deviate sexual intercourse another individual sex statute defines eviate sexual intercourse follows contact part genitals one person mouth anus another person penetration genitals anus another person object petitioners exercised right trial de novo harris county criminal challenged statute violation equal protection clause fourteenth amendment like provision texas constitution tex art contentions rejected petitioners entered plea nolo contendere fined assessed costs app pet cert appeals texas fourteenth district considered petitioners federal constitutional arguments equal protection due process clauses fourteenth amendment hearing case en banc divided opinion rejected constitutional arguments affirmed convictions tex app majority opinion indicates appeals considered decision bowers hardwick controlling federal due process aspect case bowers authoritative proper granted certiorari consider three questions whether petitioners criminal convictions texas homosexual conduct law criminalizes sexual intimacy couples identical behavior couples violate fourteenth amendment guarantee equal protection laws whether petitioners criminal convictions adult consensual sexual intimacy home violate vital interests liberty privacy protected due process clause fourteenth amendment whether bowers hardwick overruled pet cert petitioners adults time alleged offense conduct private consensual ii conclude case resolved determining whether petitioners free adults engage private conduct exercise liberty due process clause fourteenth amendment constitution inquiry deem necessary reconsider holding bowers broad statements substantive reach liberty due process clause earlier cases including pierce society sisters meyer nebraska pertinent beginning point decision griswold connecticut griswold invalidated state law prohibiting use drugs devices contraception counseling aiding abetting use contraceptives described protected interest right privacy placed emphasis marriage relation protected space marital bedroom griswold established right make certain decisions regarding sexual conduct extends beyond marital relationship eisenstadt baird invalidated law prohibiting distribution contraceptives unmarried persons case decided equal protection clause respect unmarried persons went state fundamental proposition law impaired exercise personal rights ibid quoted statement appeals finding law conflict fundamental human rights followed statement true griswold right privacy question inhered marital relationship right privacy means anything right individual married single free unwarranted governmental intrusion matters fundamentally affecting person decision whether bear beget child opinions griswold eisenstadt part background decision roe wade well known case involved challenge texas law prohibiting abortions laws affected well although held woman rights absolute right elect abortion real substantial protection exercise liberty due process clause cited cases protect spatial freedom cases go well beyond roe recognized right woman make certain fundamental decisions affecting destiny confirmed protection liberty due process clause substantive dimension fundamental significance defining rights person carey population services confronted new york law forbidding sale distribution contraceptive devices persons years age although single opinion law invalidated eisenstadt carey well holding rationale roe confirmed reasoning griswold confined protection rights married adults state law respect relevant cases considered bowers hardwick facts bowers similarities instant case police officer whose right enter seems question observed hardwick bedroom engaging intimate sexual conduct another adult male conduct violation georgia statute making criminal offense engage sodomy one difference two cases georgia statute prohibited conduct whether participants sex texas statute seen applies participants sex hardwick prosecuted brought action federal declare state statute invalid alleged practicing homosexual criminal prohibition violated rights guaranteed constitution opinion justice white sustained georgia law chief justice burger justice powell joined opinion filed separate concurring opinions four justices dissented opinion blackmun joined brennan marshall stevens jj opinion stevens joined brennan marshall began substantive discussion bowers follows issue presented whether federal constitution confers fundamental right upon homosexuals engage sodomy hence invalidates laws many still make conduct illegal done long time statement conclude discloses failure appreciate extent liberty stake say issue bowers simply right engage certain sexual conduct demeans claim individual put forward demean married couple said marriage simply right sexual intercourse laws involved bowers sure statutes purport prohibit particular sexual act penalties purposes though consequences touching upon private human conduct sexual behavior private places home statutes seek control personal relationship whether entitled formal recognition law within liberty persons choose without punished criminals general rule counsel attempts state define meaning relationship set boundaries absent injury person abuse institution law protects suffices us acknowledge adults may choose enter upon relationship confines homes private lives still retain dignity free persons sexuality finds overt expression intimate conduct another person conduct one element personal bond enduring liberty protected constitution allows homosexual persons right make choice misapprehended claim liberty presented thus stating claim whether fundamental right engage consensual sodomy bowers said proscriptions conduct ancient roots academic writings many scholarly amicus briefs filed assist case fundamental criticisms historical premises relied upon majority concurring opinions bowers brief cato institute amicus curiae brief american civil liberties union et al amici curiae brief professors history et al amici curiae need enter debate attempt reach definitive historical judgment following considerations counsel adopting definitive conclusions upon bowers placed reliance outset noted longstanding history country laws directed homosexual conduct distinct matter beginning colonial times prohibitions sodomy derived english criminal laws passed first instance reformation parliament english prohibition understood include relations men women well relations men men see king wiseman eng interpreting mankind act including women girls commentators similarly read american sodomy buggery statutes criminalizing certain relations men women men men see bishop criminal law chitty criminal law ed desty compendium american criminal law may law crimes ed absence legal prohibitions focusing homosexual conduct may explained part noting according scholars concept homosexual distinct category person emerge late century see katz invention heterosexuality freedman intimate matters history sexuality america ed modern terms homosexuality heterosexuality apply era yet articulated distinctions thus early american sodomy laws directed homosexuals instead sought prohibit nonprocreative sexual activity generally suggest approval homosexual conduct tend show particular form conduct thought separate category like conduct heterosexual persons laws prohibiting sodomy seem enforced consenting adults acting private substantial number sodomy prosecutions convictions surviving records predatory acts consent case minor victim assault one purpose prohibitions ensure lack coverage predator committed sexual assault constitute rape defined criminal law thus model sodomy indictments presented treatise see chitty supra addressed predatory acts adult man minor girl minor boy instead targeting relations consenting adults private sodomy prosecutions typically involved relations men minor girls minor boys relations adults involving force relations adults implicating disparity status relations men animals extent prosecutions acts question evidence rules imposed burden make conviction difficult obtain even taking account problems always inherent prosecuting consensual acts committed private standards man convicted sodomy based upon testimony consenting partner partner considered accomplice partner testimony however admissible consented act minor therefore incapable consent see wharton criminal law ed wharton criminal law ed rule may explain part infrequency prosecutions events infrequency makes difficult say society approved rigorous systematic punishment consensual acts committed private adults longstanding criminal prohibition homosexual sodomy upon bowers decision placed reliance consistent general condemnation nonprocreative sex established tradition prosecuting acts homosexual character policy punishing consenting adults private acts much discussed early legal literature infer one reason private nature conduct despite absence prosecutions may periods public criticism homosexuals insistence criminal laws enforced discourage practices far possessing ancient roots bowers american laws targeting couples develop last third century reported decisions concerning prosecution consensual homosexual sodomy adults years always clear details significant number involved conduct public place see brief american civil liberties union et al amici curiae state singled relations criminal prosecution nine done see ark acts sess laws acts mo laws mont laws stats pub acts ch tex laws ch see also post state crim app sodomy law invalidated applied couples even adhere policy suppressing homosexual conduct course last decades prohibitions moved toward abolishing see jegley picado ark gryczan state mont campbell sundquist app commonwealth wasson see also stats repealing rev stat summary historical grounds relied upon bowers complex majority opinion concurring opinion chief justice burger indicate historical premises without doubt least overstated must acknowledged course bowers making broader point centuries powerful voices condemn homosexual conduct immoral condemnation shaped religious beliefs conceptions right acceptable behavior respect traditional family many persons trivial concerns profound deep convictions accepted ethical moral principles aspire thus determine course lives considerations answer question us however issue whether majority may use power state enforce views whole society operation criminal law obligation define liberty mandate moral code planned parenthood southeastern casey chief justice burger joined opinion bowers explained views follows decisions individuals relating homosexual conduct subject state intervention throughout history western civilization condemnation practices firmly rooted moral ethical standards kennedy concurring emerging recognition apparent bowers decided american law institute promulgated model penal code made clear recommend provide criminal penalties consensual sexual relations conducted private ali model penal code comment justified decision three grounds prohibitions undermined respect law penalizing conduct many people engaged statutes regulated private conduct harmful others laws arbitrarily enforced thus invited danger blackmail ali model penal code commentary tent draft illinois changed laws conform model penal code soon followed brief cato institute amicus curiae bowers referred fact outlawed sodomy time decision district columbia sodomy laws justice powell pointed prohibitions often ignored however georgia instance sought enforce law decades history nonenforcement suggests moribund character today laws criminalizing type private consensual conduct sweeping references chief justice burger history western civilization moral ethical standards take account authorities pointing opposite direction committee advising british parliament recommended repeal laws punishing homosexual conduct wolfenden report report committee homosexual offenses prostitution parliament enacted substance recommendations years later sexual offences act even importance almost five years bowers decided european human rights considered case parallels bowers today case adult male resident northern ireland alleged practicing homosexual desired engage consensual homosexual conduct laws northern ireland forbade right alleged questioned home searched feared criminal prosecution held laws proscribing conduct invalid european convention human rights dudgeon kingdom eur authoritative countries members council europe nations nations decision odds premise bowers claim put forward insubstantial western civilization constitutional system deficiencies bowers became even apparent years following announcement laws prohibiting relevant conduct referenced bowers decision reduced enforce laws homosexual conduct sodomy still proscribed whether heterosexual conduct pattern nonenforcement respect consenting adults acting private state texas admitted date prosecuted anyone circumstances state morales two principal cases decided bowers cast holding even doubt planned parenthood southeastern casey reaffirmed substantive force liberty protected due process clause casey decision confirmed laws tradition afford constitutional protection personal decisions relating marriage procreation contraception family relationships child rearing education explaining respect constitution demands autonomy person making choices stated follows matters involving intimate personal choices person may make lifetime choices central personal dignity autonomy central liberty protected fourteenth amendment heart liberty right define one concept existence meaning universe mystery human life beliefs matters define attributes personhood formed compulsion state ibid persons homosexual relationship may seek autonomy purposes heterosexual persons decision bowers deny right second case principal relevance romer evans struck legislation directed homosexuals violation equal protection clause romer invalidated amendment colorado constitution named solitary class persons homosexuals lesbians bisexual either orientation conduct practices relationships internal quotation marks omitted deprived protection state antidiscrimination laws concluded provision born animosity toward class persons affected rational relation legitimate governmental purpose alternative argument case counsel petitioners amici contend romer provides basis declaring texas statute invalid equal protection clause tenable argument conclude instant case requires us address whether bowers continuing validity hold statute invalid equal protection clause might question whether prohibition valid drawn differently say prohibit conduct participants equality treatment due process right demand respect conduct protected substantive guarantee liberty linked important respects decision latter point advances interests protected conduct made criminal law remains unexamined substantive validity stigma might remain even enforceable drawn equal protection reasons homosexual conduct made criminal law state declaration invitation subject homosexual persons discrimination public private spheres central holding bowers brought question case addressed continuance precedent demeans lives homosexual persons stigma criminal statute imposes moreover trivial offense sure class misdemeanor minor offense texas legal system still remains criminal offense imports dignity persons charged petitioners bear record history criminal convictions term rejected various challenges state laws requiring registration sex offenders smith doe connecticut dept public safety doe advised texas convicted adult private consensual homosexual conduct statute question convicted person come within registration laws least four subject jurisdiction pet cert citing idaho code cum supp la code crim proc west miss code ann lexis code ann west underscores consequential nature punishment condemnation attendant criminal prohibition furthermore texas criminal conviction carries collateral consequences always following conviction notations job application forms mention one example foundations bowers sustained serious erosion recent decisions casey romer precedent thus weakened criticism sources greater significance criticism bowers substantial continuing disapproving reasoning respects historical assumptions see fried order law arguing reagan revolution firsthand account posner sex reason courts five different declined follow interpreting provisions state constitutions parallel due process clause fourteenth amendment see jegley picado ark powell state gryczan state mont campbell sundquist app commonwealth wasson extent bowers relied values share wider civilization noted reasoning holding bowers rejected elsewhere european human rights followed bowers decision dudgeon kingdom see kingdom app eur modinos cyprus eur norris ireland eur nations taken action consistent affirmation protected right homosexual adults engage intimate consensual conduct see brief mary robinson et al amici curiae right petitioners seek case accepted integral part human freedom many countries showing country governmental interest circumscribing personal choice somehow legitimate urgent doctrine stare decisis essential respect accorded judgments stability law however inexorable command payne tennessee stare decisis inexorable command rather principle policy mechanical formula adherence latest quoting helvering hallock casey noted asked overrule precedent recognizing constitutional liberty interest individual societal reliance existence liberty cautions particular strength reversing course see also liberty finds refuge jurisprudence doubt holding bowers however induced detrimental reliance comparable instances recognized individual rights involved indeed individual societal reliance bowers sort counsel overturning holding compelling reasons bowers causes uncertainty precedents issuance contradict central holding rationale bowers withstand careful analysis dissenting opinion bowers justice stevens came conclusions prior cases make two propositions abundantly clear first fact governing majority state traditionally viewed particular practice immoral sufficient reason upholding law prohibiting practice neither history tradition save law prohibiting miscegenation constitutional attack second individual decisions married persons concerning intimacies physical relationship even intended produce offspring form liberty protected due process clause fourteenth amendment moreover protection extends intimate choices unmarried well married persons footnotes citations omitted justice stevens analysis view controlling bowers control bowers correct decided correct today remain binding precedent bowers hardwick overruled present case involve minors involve persons might injured coerced situated relationships consent might easily refused involve public conduct prostitution involve whether government must give formal recognition relationship homosexual persons seek enter case involve two adults full mutual consent engaged sexual practices common homosexual lifestyle petitioners entitled respect private lives state demean existence control destiny making private sexual conduct crime right liberty due process clause gives full right engage conduct without intervention government promise constitution realm personal liberty government may enter casey supra texas statute furthers legitimate state interest justify intrusion personal private life individual drew ratified due process clauses fifth amendment fourteenth amendment known components liberty manifold possibilities might specific presume insight knew times blind us certain truths later generations see laws thought necessary proper fact serve oppress constitution endures persons every generation invoke principles search greater freedom judgment appeals texas fourteenth district reversed case remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion ordered john geddes lawrence tyron garner petitioners texas writ certiorari appeals texas fourteenth district june justice concurring judgment today overrules bowers hardwick joined bowers join overruling nevertheless agree texas statute banning sodomy unconstitutional see tex penal code ann rather relying substantive component fourteenth amendment due process clause base conclusion fourteenth amendment equal protection clause equal protection clause fourteenth amendment essentially direction persons similarly situated treated alike cleburne cleburne living center see also plyler doe rational basis standard review legislation presumed valid sustained classification drawn statute rationally related legitimate state interest cleburne cleburne living center supra see also department agriculture moreno romer evans nordlinger hahn laws economic tax legislation scrutinized rational basis review normally pass constitutional muster since constitution presumes even improvident decisions eventually rectified democratic processes cleburne cleburne living center supra see also fitzgerald racing assn central iowa ante williamson lee optical consistently held however objectives bare desire harm politically unpopular group legitimate state interests department agriculture moreno supra see also cleburne cleburne living center supra romer evans supra law exhibits desire harm politically unpopular group applied searching form rational basis review strike laws equal protection clause likely apply rational basis review hold law unconstitutional equal protection clause challenged legislation inhibits personal relationships department agriculture moreno example held law preventing households containing individual unrelated member household receiving food stamps violated equal protection purpose law hippies refused sanction law discriminated married unmarried persons prohibiting distribution contraceptives single persons likewise cleburne cleburne living center supra held irrational state require home mentally disabled obtain special use permit residences like fraternity houses apartment buildings obtain permit romer evans disallowed state statute impos ed broad undifferentiated disability single named group specifically homosexuals dissent apparently agrees cases stare decisis effect texas sodomy law pass scrutiny equal protection clause regardless type rational basis review apply see post opinion scalia statute issue makes sodomy crime person engages deviate sexual intercourse another individual sex tex penal code ann sodomy partners however crime texas texas treats conduct differently based solely participants harmed law people sexual orientation thus likely engage behavior prohibited texas statute makes homosexuals unequal eyes law making particular conduct conduct subject criminal sanction appears prosecutions texas sodomy law rare see state morales tex noting probability enforced private consensual conduct adults case shows however prosecutions occur penalty imposed petitioners case relatively minor consequences conviction notes see ante petitioners convictions upheld disqualify restrict ability engage variety professions including medicine athletic training interior design see tex occ code ann pamphlet physician athletic trainer interior designer indeed petitioners move one four convictions require register sex offenders local law enforcement see idaho code cum supp la stat ann west cum supp miss code ann west code ann west cum supp cf ante effect texas sodomy law limited threat prosecution consequence conviction texas sodomy law brands homosexuals criminals thereby making difficult homosexuals treated manner everyone else indeed texas previously acknowledged collateral effects law stipulating prior challenge action law legally sanctions discrimination homosexuals variety ways unrelated criminal law including areas employment family issues housing state morales tex app texas attempts justify law effects law arguing statute satisfies rational basis review furthers legitimate governmental interest promotion morality bowers held state law criminalizing sodomy applied homosexual couples violate substantive due process rejected argument rational basis existed justify law pointing government interest promoting morality question front bowers whether substantive component due process clause protected right engage homosexual sodomy bowers hold moral disapproval group rational basis equal protection clause criminalize homosexual sodomy heterosexual sodomy punished case raises different issue bowers whether equal protection clause moral disapproval legitimate state interest justify statute bans homosexual sodomy heterosexual sodomy moral disapproval group like bare desire harm group interest insufficient satisfy rational basis review equal protection clause see department agriculture moreno supra romer evans indeed never held moral disapproval without asserted state interest sufficient rationale equal protection clause justify law discriminates among groups persons moral disapproval group legitimate governmental interest equal protection clause legal classifications must drawn purpose disadvantaging group burdened law texas invocation moral disapproval legitimate state interest proves nothing texas desire criminalize homosexual sodomy equal protection clause prevents state creating classification persons undertaken sake texas rarely enforces sodomy law applied private consensual acts law serves statement dislike disapproval homosexuals tool stop criminal behavior texas sodomy law raise inevitable inference disadvantage imposed born animosity toward class persons affected texas argues however sodomy law discriminate homosexual persons instead state maintains law discriminates homosexual conduct true law applies conduct conduct targeted law conduct closely correlated homosexual circumstances texas sodomy law targeted conduct instead directed toward gay persons class hardly palpable discrimination class making conduct defines class criminal scalia dissenting internal quotation marks omitted state makes homosexual conduct criminal deviate sexual intercourse committed persons different sexes declaration invitation subject homosexual persons discrimination public private spheres ante indeed texas law confirms sodomy statute directed toward homosexuals class texas calling person homosexual slander per se word homosexual impute commission crime plumley landmark chevrolet applying texas law see also head newton tex app state admitted sodomy law homosexual carries presumption criminal see state morales statute brands lesbians gay men criminals thereby legally sanctions discrimination variety ways unrelated criminal law texas sodomy law therefore results discrimination homosexuals class array areas outside criminal law see ibid romer evans refused sanction law singled homosexuals disfavored legal status harlan dissenting state course assign certain consequences violation criminal law state single one identifiable class citizens punishment apply everyone else moral disapproval asserted state interest law texas sodomy statute subjects homosexuals lifelong penalty stigma legislative classification threatens creation underclass reconciled equal protection clause plyler doe powell concurring whether sodomy law neutral effect application see yick wo hopkins violate substantive component due process clause issue need decided today confident however long equal protection clause requires sodomy law apply equally private consensual conduct homosexuals heterosexuals alike law long stand democratic society words justice jackson framers constitution knew forget today effective practical guaranty arbitrary unreasonable government require principles law officials impose upon minority imposed generally conversely nothing opens door arbitrary action effectively allow officials pick choose apply legislation thus escape political retribution might visited upon larger numbers affected railway express agency new york concurring opinion law applied private consensual conduct unconstitutional equal protection clause mean laws distinguishing heterosexuals homosexuals similarly fail rational basis review texas assert legitimate state interest national security preserving traditional institution marriage unlike moral disapproval relations asserted state interest case reasons exist promote institution marriage beyond mere moral disapproval excluded group law branding one class persons criminal solely based state moral disapproval class conduct associated class runs contrary values constitution equal protection clause standard review therefore concur judgment texas sodomy law banning deviate sexual intercourse consenting adults sex consenting adults different sexes unconstitutional john geddes lawrence tyron garner petitioners texas writ certiorari appeals texas fourteenth district june justice scalia chief justice justice thomas join dissenting liberty finds refuge jurisprudence doubt planned parenthood southeastern casey sententious response barely decade ago seeking overrule roe wade response today engaged crusade overrule bowers hardwick different need stability certainty presents barrier rest today opinion relevance actual holding texas statute furthers legitimate state interest justify application petitioners review ante overruling bowers extent sustained georgia statute test though discussion fundamental proposition ante fundamental decisions ibid nowhere opinion declare homosexual sodomy fundamental right due process clause subject texas law standard review appropriate strict scrutiny homosexual sodomy fundamental right thus overruling outcome bowers leaves strangely untouched central legal conclusion espondent us announce fundamental right engage homosexual sodomy quite unwilling instead simply describes petitioners conduct exercise liberty undoubtedly proceeds apply form review implications beyond case ante begin surprising readiness reconsider decision rendered mere years ago bowers hardwick believe rigid adherence stare decisis constitutional cases believe consistent rather manipulative invoking doctrine today opinions support reversal bother distinguish indeed even bother mention paean stare decisis coauthored three members today majority planned parenthood casey stare decisis meant preservation judicially invented abortion rights widespread criticism roe strong reason reaffirm performance judicial duties decides case way resolve sort intensely divisive controversy reflected roe decision dimension resolution normal case carry overrule fire absence compelling reason subvert legitimacy beyond serious question today however widespread opposition bowers decision resolving issue intensely divisive issue roe offered reason favor overruling see ante gone enquiry sort conducted casey whether decision sought overruled proven casey supra today approach stare decisis invites us overrule erroneously decided precedent including intensely divisive decision foundations eroded subsequent decisions ante subject substantial continuing criticism ibid induced individual societal reliance counsels overturning ante problem roe today majority surely disposition overrule satisfies conditions least degree bowers preliminary digressive observation regard first factor claim planned parenthood casey supra casts doubt upon holding bowers case matter withstand analysis ante far holding concerned casey provided less expansive right abortion roe already books bowers decided referring holding casey dictum famed passage ante heart liberty right define one concept existence meaning universe mystery human casts doubt upon either totality jurisprudence else presumably right answer nothing never heard law attempted restrict one right define certain concepts passage calls question government power regulate actions based one concept existence passage ate rule law quarrel claim romer evans eroded foundations bowers holding see romer supra scalia dissenting roe casey equally eroded washington glucksberg held fundamental rights rooted nation history qualify anything rational basis scrutiny doctrine substantive due process roe casey course subjected restriction abortion heightened scrutiny without even attempting establish freedom abort rooted nation tradition bowers says subject substantial continuing criticism disapproving reasoning respects historical assumptions ante exactly nonhistorical criticisms whether even agrees left unsaid although cite two books see ibid citing fried order law arguing reagan revolution firsthand account posner sex reason course roe extension casey still subject unrelenting criticism including criticism two commentators cited today see fried supra roe prime example twisted judging posner supra opinion roe fails measure professional expectations regarding judicial opinions posner judicial opinion writing chi rev describing opinion roe embarrassing performanc leaves distinguish unamendable disposition roe readily overrulable bowers third factor says individual societal reliance bowers sort counsel overturning holding ante seems societal reliance principles confirmed bowers discarded today overwhelming countless judicial decisions legislative enactments relied ancient proposition governing majority belief certain sexual behavior immoral unacceptable constitutes rational basis regulation see williams pryor citing bowers upholding alabama prohibition sale sex toys ground crafting safeguarding public morality indisputably legitimate government interest rational basis scrutiny milner apfel citing bowers proposition egislatures permitted legislate regard morality rather confined preventing demonstrable harms holmes california army national guard relying bowers upholding federal statute regulations banning military service engage homosexual conduct owens state md relying bowers holding person constitutional right engage sexual intercourse least outside marriage sherman henry tex relying bowers rejecting claimed constitutional right commit adultery relied extensively bowers concluded barnes glen theatre indiana public indecency statute furthered substantial government interest protecting order morality plurality opinion see also scalia concurring judgment state laws bigamy marriage adult incest prostitution masturbation adultery fornication bestiality obscenity likewise sustainable light bowers validation laws based moral choices every single one laws called question today decision makes effort cabin scope decision exclude holding see ante noting emerging awareness liberty gives substantial protection adult persons deciding conduct private lives matters pertaining sex emphasis added impossibility distinguishing homosexuality traditional morals offenses precisely bowers rejected challenge law said constantly based notions morality laws representing essentially moral choices invalidated due process clause courts busy indeed massive disruption current social order therefore overruling bowers entails overruling roe simply restored regime existed centuries permissibility restrictions upon abortion determined legislatively casey however chose base stare decisis determination different sort reliance eople said organized intimate relationships made choices define views places society reliance availability abortion event contraception fail falsely assumes consequence overruling roe make abortion unlawful merely permitted many unquestionably declined prohibit abortion others prohibited within six months significant reliance interests expired even persons choice abortion childbirth abortion nearby abortion neighboring state tell truth surprise surprise one chosen today revise standards stare decisis set forth casey thereby exposed casey extraordinary deference precedent expedient ii decided need adhere stare decisis still must establish bowers wrongly decided texas statute applied petitioners unconstitutional texas penal code ann undoubtedly imposes constraints liberty laws prohibiting prostitution recreational use heroin matter working hours per week bakery right liberty due process clause though today opinion repeatedly makes claim ante liberty protected constitution allows homosexual persons right make choice ante matters central liberty protected fourteenth ante right liberty due process clause gives full right engage conduct without intervention government fourteenth amendment expressly allows deprive citizens liberty long due process law provided state shall deprive person life liberty property without due process law amdt emphasis added opinions applying doctrine known substantive due process hold due process clause prohibits infringing fundamental liberty interests unless infringement narrowly tailored serve compelling state interest washington glucksberg fundamental liberty interests must rooted traditions conscience people ranked fundamental internal quotation marks citations omitted salerno see also michael gerald insisted merely interest denominated also interest traditionally protected society moore east cleveland plurality opinion meyer nebraska fourteenth amendment protects privileges long recognized common law essential orderly pursuit happiness free men emphasis added liberty interests may abridged abrogated pursuant validly enacted state law law rationally related legitimate state interest bowers held first criminal prohibitions homosexual sodomy subject heightened scrutiny implicate fundamental right due process clause noting roscriptions conduct ancient roots odomy criminal offense common law forbidden laws original ratified bill rights many retained bans sodomy bowers concluded right engage homosexual sodomy rooted nation history tradition today overrule holding describe homosexual sodomy fundamental right fundamental liberty interest subject texas statute strict scrutiny instead failed establish right homosexual sodomy rooted nation history tradition concludes application texas statute petitioners conduct fails test overrules bowers holding contrary see texas statute furthers legitimate state interest justify intrusion personal private life individual ante shall address holding presently first however address aspersions casts upon bowers conclusion homosexual sodomy fundamental right even though said boldness reverse conclusion iii description state law time bowers confirms bowers right ante points griswold connecticut case expressly disclaimed reliance doctrine substantive due process grounded right privacy penumbras constitutional provisions due process clause eisenstadt baird likewise nothing substantive due process invalidated massachusetts law prohibiting distribution contraceptives unmarried persons solely basis equal protection clause course eisenstadt contains well known dictum relating right privacy referred right recognized griswold right penumbral specific guarantees bill rights substantive due process right roe wade recognized right abort unborn child fundamental right protected due process clause roe however made attempt establish right rooted nation history instead based conclusion fourteenth amendment concept personal liberty broad enough encompass woman decision whether terminate pregnancy normative judgment laws undesirable see since rejected roe holding regulations abortion must narrowly tailored serve compelling state interest see planned parenthood casey joint opinion kennedy souter jj rehnquist concurring judgment part dissenting part thus logical implication roe holding right abort unborn child fundamental right see joint opinion kennedy souter jj describing abortion fundamental right fundamental liberty interest discussing history antisodomy laws ante proclaims noted longstanding history country laws directed homosexual conduct distinct matter ante observation way casts doubt definitive historical conclusion bowers relied nation longstanding history laws prohibiting sodomy general regardless whether performed couples obvious us neither formulations extend fundamental right homosexuals engage acts consensual sodomy proscriptions conduct ancient roots sodomy criminal offense common law forbidden laws original ratified bill rights fourteenth amendment ratified union criminal sodomy laws fact outlawed sodomy today district columbia continue provide criminal penalties sodomy performed private consenting adults background claim right engage conduct rooted nation history tradition concept ordered liberty best facetious citations footnotes omitted emphasis added bowers recognized entirely irrelevant whether laws long national tradition criminalizing homosexual sodomy directed homosexual conduct distinct matter ante whether homosexual sodomy prohibited law targeted sexual relations general law prohibiting homosexual heterosexual sodomy relevant point criminalized suffices establish homosexual sodomy right deeply rooted nation history tradition today agrees homosexual sodomy criminalized thus dispute facts bowers actually relied next makes claim unsupported citations aws prohibiting sodomy seem enforced consenting adults acting private ante key qualifier acting private since admits sodomy laws enforced consenting adults although contends prosecutions infrequent ante know acting private means surely consensual sodomy like heterosexual intercourse rarely performed stage means acting private private premises doors closed windows covered entirely unsurprising evidence enforcement hard come imagine circumstances enable search warrant obtained residence ground probable cause believe consensual sodomy occurring surely lack evidence sustain proposition consensual sodomy private premises doors closed windows covered regarded fundamental right even though consensual sodomy criminalized prosecutions consensual adult homosexual sodomy reported west reporting system official state reporters years see eskridge gaylaw challenging apartheid closet hereinafter gaylaw also records sodomy prosecutions executions colonial period katz almanac bowers conclusion homosexual sodomy fundamental right deeply rooted nation history tradition utterly unassailable realizing fact instead says think laws traditions past half century relevance references show emerging awareness liberty gives substantial protection adult persons deciding conduct private lives matters pertaining sex ante emphasis added apart fact emerging awareness establish fundamental right statement factually false continue prosecute sorts crimes adults matters pertaining sex prostitution adult incest adultery obscenity child pornography sodomy laws enforced past half century reported cases involving prosecutions consensual adult homosexual sodomy gaylaw relying evidence emerging recognition upon american law institute recommendation criminalize sexual relations conducted private ante ignores fact recommendation point resistance considered adopting model penal code gaylaw event emerging awareness definition deeply rooted nation history tradition said fundamental right status requires constitutional entitlements spring existence choose lessen eliminate criminal sanctions certain behavior much less spring existence seems believe foreign nations decriminalize conduct bowers majority opinion never relied values share wider civilization ante rather rejected claimed right sodomy ground right rooted nation history tradition thomas concurring denial certiorari iv turn ground squarely rests holding contention rational basis law attack proposition accord jurisprudence indeed jurisprudence society know requires little discussion texas statute undeniably seeks belief citizens certain forms sexual behavior immoral unacceptable bowers supra interest furthered criminal laws fornication bigamy adultery adult incest bestiality obscenity bowers held legitimate state interest today reaches opposite conclusion texas statute says furthers legitimate state interest justify intrusion personal private life individual ante emphasis addded embraces instead justice stevens declaration bowers dissent fact governing majority state traditionally viewed particular practice immoral sufficient reason upholding law prohibiting practice ante effectively decrees end morals legislation asserts promotion majoritarian sexual morality even legitimate state interest none laws survive review finally turn petitioners challenge member save justice ante opinion concurring judgment embraces face applies equally persons men women heterosexuals homosexuals subject prohibition deviate sexual intercourse someone sex sure distinguish sexes insofar concerns partner sexual acts performed men violate law men women women denial equal protection since precisely distinction regarding partner drawn state laws prohibiting marriage someone sex permitting marriage someone opposite sex objection made however antimiscegenation laws invalidated loving virginia similarly applicable whites blacks alike distinguished races insofar partner concerned loving however correctly applied heightened scrutiny rather usual review virginia statute designed maintain white supremacy racially discriminatory purpose always sufficient subject law strict scrutiny even facially neutral law makes mention race see washington davis purpose discriminate men women class gleaned texas law review applies review readily satisfied rational basis satisfied bowers society belief certain forms sexual behavior immoral unacceptable justification supports many laws regulating sexual behavior make distinction based upon identity partner example laws adultery fornication adult incest laws refusing recognize homosexual marriage justice argues discrimination law must justified discrimination regard sex partner discrimination regard sexual proclivity principal actor true law applies conduct conduct targeted law conduct closely correlated homosexual circumstances texas sodomy law targeted conduct instead directed toward gay persons class ante course said law law public nudity targets conduct closely correlated nudist hence targeted conduct directed toward nudists class may even texas law deny equal protection homosexuals class denial still need justified anything rational basis cases show satisfied enforcement traditional notions sexual morality justice simply decrees application searching form rational basis review texas statute ante cases cites recognize standard reach conclusions finding required conventional analysis conceivable legitimate state interest supports classification issue see romer evans department agriculture moreno justice explain precisely searching form review consists must least mean however laws exhibiting desire harm politically unpopular group ante invalid even though may conceivable rational basis support reasoning leaves pretty shaky grounds state laws limiting marriage couples justice seeks preserve conclusory statement preserving traditional institution marriage legitimate state interest ante preserving traditional institution marriage kinder way describing state moral disapproval couples texas interest recast similarly euphemistic terms preserving traditional sexual mores society jurisprudence justice seemingly created judges validate laws characterizing preserving traditions society good invalidate characterizing expressing moral disapproval bad today opinion product product culture largely signed homosexual agenda mean agenda promoted homosexual activists directed eliminating moral opprobrium traditionally attached homosexual conduct noted earlier opinion fact american association law schools reputable law school must seek belong excludes membership school refuses ban facilities law firm matter small wish hire prospective partner person openly engages homosexual conduct see romer supra one revealing statements today opinion grim warning criminalization homosexual conduct invitation subject homosexual persons discrimination public private spheres ante clear taken sides culture war departing role assuring neutral observer democratic rules engagement observed many americans want persons openly engage homosexual conduct partners business scoutmasters children teachers children schools boarders home view protecting families lifestyle believe immoral destructive views discrimination function judgments deter imbued law profession culture seemingly unaware attitudes culture obviously mainstream calls discrimination engage homosexual acts perfectly legal proposals ban discrimination title vii repeatedly rejected congress see employment act sess civil rights amendments sess cases discrimination mandated federal statute see mandating discharge armed forces service member engages intends engage homosexual acts cases discrimination constitutional right see boy scouts america dale let clear nothing homosexuals group promoting agenda normal democratic means social perceptions sexual morality change time every group right persuade fellow citizens view matters best homosexuals achieved success enterprise attested fact texas one remaining criminalize private consensual homosexual acts persuading one fellow citizens one thing imposing one views absence democratic majority something else require state criminalize homosexual acts matter display moral disapprobation forbid texas chosen well within range traditional democratic action hand stayed invention constitutional right impatient democratic change indeed true later generations see laws thought necessary proper fact serve oppress ante happens later generations repeal laws premise system judgments made people imposed governing caste knows best one benefits leaving regulation matter people rather courts people unlike judges need carry things logical conclusion people may feel disapprobation homosexual conduct strong enough disallow homosexual marriage strong enough criminalize private homosexual acts may legislate accordingly today pretends possesses similar freedom action need fear judicial imposition homosexual marriage recently occurred canada decision canadian government chosen appeal see halpern toronto wl ontario ct app cohen dozens canada follow gay couple lead washington post june end opinion laid waste foundations jurisprudence says present case involve whether government must give formal recognition relationship homosexual persons seek enter ante believe illuminating bald unreasoned disclaimer progression thought displayed earlier passage opinion notes constitutional protections afforded personal decisions relating marriage procreation contraception family relationships child rearing education declares ersons homosexual relationship may seek autonomy purposes heterosexual persons ante emphasis added today opinion dismantles structure constitutional law permitted distinction made heterosexual homosexual unions insofar formal recognition marriage concerned moral disapprobation homosexual conduct legitimate state interest purposes proscribing conduct ante coos casting aside pretense neutrality hen sexuality finds overt expression intimate conduct another person conduct one element personal bond enduring ante justification possibly denying benefits marriage homosexual couples exercising liberty protected constitution surely encouragement procreation since sterile elderly allowed marry case involve issue homosexual marriage one entertains belief principle logic nothing decisions many hope comfortingly assures us matters appropriate resolution three texas prohibition sodomy neither infringes fundamental right dispute unsupported rational relation constitution considers legitimate state interest denies equal protection laws dissent john geddes lawrence tyron garner petitioners texas writ certiorari appeals texas fourteenth district june justice thomas dissenting join justice scalia dissenting opinion write separately note law today uncommonly silly griswold connecticut stewart dissenting member texas legislature vote repeal punishing someone expressing sexual preference noncommercial consensual conduct another adult appear worthy way expend valuable law enforcement resources notwithstanding recognize member empowered help petitioners others similarly situated duty rather decide cases constitution laws like justice stewart find neither bill rights part constitution general right privacy terms today liberty person spatial transcendent dimensions ante footnotes critic bowers actually writes bowers correct nevertheless right engage homosexual acts deeply rooted america history tradition posner sex reason overrule bowers holding homosexual sodomy fundamental right worth noting societal reliance upon aspect decision substantial well see member armed forces shall separated armed forces member engaged homosexual act acts marcum mcwhorter relying bowers rejecting claimed fundamental right commit adultery mullins oregon relying bowers rejecting grandparent claimed fundamental liberty interes adoption grandchildren doe wigginton relying bowers rejecting prisoner claimed fundamental right hiv testing schowengerdt relying bowers upholding bisexual discharge armed services charles baesler relying bowers rejecting fire department captain claimed fundamental interest promotion henne wright relying bowers rejecting claim state law restricting surnames given children birth implicates fundamental right walls petersburg relying bowers rejecting challenge police department questionnaire asked prospective employees homosexual activity high tech gays defense industrial security clearance office relying bowers holding homosexual activity fundamental right rejecting basis standard challenge defense department policy conducting expanded investigations backgrounds gay lesbian applicants secret security clearance quite right history tradition starting point cases ending point substantive due process inquiry ante asserted fundamental liberty interest must deeply rooted nation history tradition washington glucksberg must also implicit concept ordered liberty neither liberty justice exist sacrificed ibid moreover liberty interests unsupported history tradition though deserving heightened scrutiny still protected state laws rationally related legitimate state interest proceed discuss latter principle applies present case