bowers hardwick argued march decided june charged violating georgia statute criminalizing sodomy committing act another adult male bedroom home respondent hardwick respondent brought suit federal district challenging constitutionality statute insofar criminalized consensual sodomy granted defendants motion dismiss failure state claim appeals reversed remanded holding georgia statute violated respondent fundamental rights held georgia statute constitutional pp constitution confer fundamental right upon homosexuals engage sodomy none fundamental rights announced prior cases involving family relationships marriage procreation bear resemblance right asserted case claim cases stand proposition kind private sexual conduct consenting adults constitutionally insulated state proscription unsupportable pp background many criminalized sodomy still claim right engage conduct deeply rooted nation history tradition implicit concept ordered liberty best facetious pp great resistance expand reach due process clauses cover new fundamental rights otherwise judiciary necessarily take upon authority govern country without constitutional authority claimed right case falls far short overcoming resistance pp fact homosexual conduct occurs privacy home affect result stanley georgia distinguished pp sodomy laws invalidated asserted basis majority belief sodomy immoral inadequate rationale support laws white delivered opinion burger powell rehnquist joined burger post powell post filed concurring opinions blackmun filed dissenting opinion brennan marshall stevens joined post stevens filed dissenting opinion brennan marshall joined post michael hobbs senior assistant attorney general georgia argued cause petitioner briefs michael bowers attorney general pro se marion gordon first assistant attorney general daryl robinson senior assistant attorney general laurence tribe argued cause respondent hardwick brief kathleen sullivan kathleen wilde briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed catholic league religious civil rights steven frederick mcdowell rutherford institute et al charles bundren guy farley george weaver william hollberg wendell bird john whitehead thomas kotouc alfred lindh david robinson pro se briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed state new york et al robert abrams attorney general new york robert hermann solicitor general lawrence kahn howard zwickel charles fraser sanford cohen assistant attorneys general john van de kamp attorney general california american jewish congress daniel levenson david cohen frederick mandel american psychological association et al margaret farrell ewing donald bersoff anne simon nadine taub herbert semmel association bar city new york steven rosen national organization women john katz presbyterian church et al jeffrey bramlett briefs amici curiae filed lesbian rights project et al mary dunlap national gay rights advocates et al edward errante leonard graff jay kohorn justice white delivered opinion august respondent hardwick hereafter respondent charged violating georgia statute criminalizing sodomy committing act another adult male bedroom respondent home preliminary hearing district attorney decided present matter grand jury unless evidence developed respondent brought suit federal district challenging constitutionality statute insofar criminalized consensual sodomy asserted practicing homosexual georgia sodomy statute administered defendants placed imminent danger arrest statute several reasons violates federal constitution district granted defendants motion dismiss failure state claim relying doe commonwealth attorney city richmond supp ed summarily affirmed divided panel appeals eleventh circuit reversed first held doe distinguishable event undermined later decisions summary affirmance case require affirmance district relying decisions griswold connecticut eisenstadt baird stanley georgia roe wade went hold georgia statute violated respondent fundamental rights homosexual activity private intimate association beyond reach state regulation reason ninth amendment due process clause fourteenth amendment case remanded trial prevail state prove statute supported compelling interest narrowly drawn means achieving end courts appeals arrived judgments contrary eleventh circuit case granted attorney general petition certiorari questioning holding sodomy statute violates fundamental rights homosexuals agree petitioner appeals erred hence reverse judgment case require judgment whether laws sodomy consenting adults general homosexuals particular wise desirable raises question right propriety state legislative decisions repeal laws criminalize homosexual sodomy decisions invalidating laws state constitutional grounds issue presented whether federal constitution confers fundamental right upon homosexuals engage sodomy hence invalidates laws many still make conduct illegal done long time case also calls judgment limits role carrying constitutional mandate first register disagreement appeals respondent prior cases construed constitution confer right privacy extends homosexual sodomy intents purposes decided case reach line cases sketched carey population services international pierce society sisters meyer nebraska described dealing child rearing education prince massachusetts family relationships skinner oklahoma ex rel williamson procreation loving virginia marriage griswold connecticut supra eisenstadt baird supra contraception roe wade abortion latter three cases interpreted construing due process clause fourteenth amendment confer fundamental individual right decide whether beget bear child carey population services international supra accepting decisions cases description think evident none rights announced cases bears resemblance claimed constitutional right homosexuals engage acts sodomy asserted case connection family marriage procreation one hand homosexual activity demonstrated either appeals respondent moreover claim cases nevertheless stand proposition kind private sexual conduct consenting adults constitutionally insulated state proscription unsupportable indeed opinion carey twice asserted privacy right griswold line cases found one protections provided due process clause reach far precedent aside however respondent us announce appeals fundamental right engage homosexual sodomy quite unwilling true despite language due process clauses fifth fourteenth amendments appears focus processes life liberty property taken cases legion clauses interpreted substantive content subsuming rights great extent immune federal state regulation proscription among cases recognizing rights little textual support constitutional language meyer prince pierce fall category privacy cases griswold carey striving assure public announcing rights readily identifiable constitution text involves much imposition justices choice values federal government sought identify nature rights qualifying heightened judicial protection palko connecticut said category includes fundamental liberties implicit concept ordered liberty neither liberty justice exist sacrificed different description fundamental liberties appeared moore east cleveland opinion powell characterized liberties deeply rooted nation history tradition powell see also griswold connecticut obvious us neither formulations extend fundamental right homosexuals engage acts consensual sodomy proscriptions conduct ancient roots see generally survey constitutional right privacy context homosexual activity miami rev 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 see survey miami supra background claim right engage conduct deeply rooted nation history tradition implicit concept ordered liberty best facetious inclined take expansive view authority discover new fundamental rights imbedded due process clause vulnerable comes nearest illegitimacy deals constitutional law little cognizable roots language design constitution painfully demonstrated executive resulted repudiation much substantive gloss placed due process clauses fifth fourteenth amendments therefore great resistance expand substantive reach clauses particularly requires redefining category rights deemed fundamental otherwise judiciary necessarily takes authority govern country without express constitutional authority claimed right pressed us today falls short overcoming resistance respondent however asserts result different homosexual conduct occurs privacy home relies stanley georgia held first amendment prevents conviction possessing reading obscene material privacy one home first amendment means anything means state business telling man sitting alone house books may read films may watch stanley protect conduct protected outside home partially prevented enforcement state obscenity laws decision firmly grounded first amendment right pressed upon us similar support text constitution qualify recognition prevailing principles construing fourteenth amendment limits also difficult discern plainly enough otherwise illegal conduct always immunized whenever occurs home victimless crimes possession use illegal drugs escape law committed home stanley recognized holding offered protection possession home drugs firearms stolen goods respondent submission limited voluntary sexual conduct consenting adults difficult except fiat limit claimed right homosexual conduct leaving exposed prosecution adultery incest sexual crimes even though committed home unwilling start road even conduct issue fundamental right respondent asserts must rational basis law none case presumed belief majority electorate georgia homosexual sodomy immoral unacceptable said inadequate rationale support law law however constantly based notions morality laws representing essentially moral choices invalidated due process clause courts busy indeed even respondent makes claim insists majority sentiments morality homosexuality declared inadequate agree unpersuaded sodomy laws invalidated basis accordingly judgment appeals reversed footnotes john mary doe also plaintiffs action alleged wished engage sexual activity proscribed privacy home app chilled deterred engaging activity existence statute hardwick arrest district held however neither sustained immediate danger sustaining direct injury enforcement statute proper standing maintain action appeals affirmed district judgment dismissing claim lack standing challenge holding claim properly therefore hardwick challenge georgia statute applied consensual homosexual sodomy express opinion constitutionality georgia statute applied acts sodomy see baker wade rehearing denied en banc dronenburg zech app rehearing denied app petitioner also submits appeals erred holding district obligated follow summary affirmance doe need resolve dispute prefer give plenary consideration merits case rather rely earlier action doe see usery turner elkhorn mining massachusetts board retirement murgia edelman jordan cf hicks miranda criminal sodomy laws effect connecticut public statute laws state connecticut title lxvi ch rev delaware laws state delaware ch passed georgia criminal sodomy statute sodomy crime common law general assembly adopted common law england law georgia first laws state georgia pt maryland criminal sodomy statute maryland declaration rights passed however stated inhabitants maryland entitled common law england sodomy crime common law swindler sources documents constitutions massachusetts acts laws passed general massachusetts ch act mar new hampshire passed first sodomy statute acts laws new hampshire sodomy crime common law new jersey time ratification bill rights state enacted first criminal sodomy law five years later acts twentieth general assembly mar ch dc new york laws new york ch passed time ratification bill rights north carolina adopted english statute henry viii outlawing sodomy see collection statutes parliament england force state ch martin ed pennsylvania laws fourteenth general assembly commonwealth pennsylvania ch cliv passed rhode island passed first sodomy law earliest acts laws colony rhode island providence plantations south carolina public laws state south carolina time ratification bill rights virginia specific statute outlawing sodomy adopted english common law hening laws virginia ch passed criminal sodomy statutes effect alabama rev code arizona terr howell code ch arkansas ark ch art iv california cal laws colorado terr rev ch connecticut gen tit ch delaware del rev ch florida rev div passed georgia code kingdom hawaii haw penal code ch illinois rev div kansas terr kan ch kentucky rev ch art iv louisiana la rev crimes offences maine rev tit xii ch maryland md code art massachusetts mass gen ch michigan rev tit ch minnesota minn ch mississippi miss rev code ch lii art missouri mo rev ch art viii montana terr mont acts resolutions memorials criminal practice acts ch iv nebraska terr neb rev crim code ch nevada terr comp laws crimes punishments new hampshire laws act june new jersey rev tit ch new york rev pt ch tit ed north carolina rev code ch oregon laws crimes morality ch pennsylvania act mar pub digest statute law purdon rhode island gen ch south carolina act stat large tennessee code ch art texas tex rev tit ch art passed vermont acts laws state virginia code ch west virginia code ch wisconsin terr stat illinois adopted american law institute model penal code decriminalized adult consensual private sexual conduct criminal code laws pp codified amended rev ch repealed see american law institute model penal code proposed official draft respondent defend judgment based ninth amendment equal protection clause eighth amendment chief justice burger concurring join opinion write separately underscore view constitutional terms thing fundamental right commit homosexual sodomy notes ante proscriptions sodomy ancient roots decisions individuals relating homosexual conduct subject state intervention throughout history western civilization condemnation practices firmly rooted moral ethical standards homosexual sodomy capital crime roman law see code theod code see also bailey homosexuality western christian tradition english reformation powers ecclesiastical courts transferred king courts first english statute criminalizing sodomy passed hen viii ch blackstone described infamous crime nature offense deeper malignity rape heinous act mention disgrace human nature crime fit named blackstone commentaries common law england including prohibition sodomy became received law georgia colonies georgia legislature passed statute issue statute continuously force one form another since time hold act homosexual sodomy somehow protected fundamental right cast aside millennia moral teaching essentially question personal preferences rather legislative authority state find nothing constitution depriving state power enact statute challenged justice powell concurring join opinion agree fundamental right substantive right due process clause claimed respondent hardwick found exist appeals suggest however respondent may protected eighth amendment constitution georgia statute issue case code ann authorizes imprison person years single private consensual act sodomy view prison sentence conduct certainly sentence long duration create serious eighth amendment issue georgia statute single act sodomy even private setting home felony comparable terms possible sentence imposed serious felonies aggravated battery arson robbery case however respondent tried much less convicted sentenced moreover respondent raised eighth amendment issue reasons constitutional argument us among continue make sodomy crime georgia authorizes one longest possible sentences see code maximum rev stat ann west supp days ark stat ann maximum code maximum stat maximum code ann years idaho code minimum stat ann supp maximum rev stat days months la rev stat ann west maximum md ann code art maximum comp laws maximum stat maximum miss code ann maximum mo rev stat supp maximum mont code ann maximum rev stat maximum stat maximum okla tit maximum laws years code maximum code ann years tex penal code ann maximum fine utah code ann maximum code maximum conceded oral argument prior complaint respondent hardwick reported decision involving prosecution private homosexual sodomy statute several decades see thompson aldredge moreover state declined present criminal charge hardwick grand jury suit declaratory judgment brought respondents challenging validity statute history nonenforcement suggests moribund character today laws criminalizing type private consensual conduct repealed similar statutes constitutional validity georgia statute put issue respondents reasons stated say conduct condemned hundreds years become fundamental right justice blackmun justice brennan justice marshall justice stevens join dissenting case fundamental right engage homosexual sodomy purports declare ante stanley georgia fundamental right watch obscene movies katz fundamental right place interstate bets telephone booth rather case comprehensive rights right valued civilized men namely right let alone olmstead brandeis dissenting statute issue code ann denies individuals right decide whether engage particular forms private consensual sexual activity concludes valid essentially laws many still make conduct illegal done long time ante fact moral judgments expressed statutes like may natural familiar conclude judgment upon question whether statutes embodying conflict constitution roe wade quoting lochner new york holmes dissenting like justice holmes believe revolting better reason rule law laid time henry iv still revolting grounds upon laid vanished long since rule simply persists blind imitation past holmes path law harv rev believe must analyze respondent hardwick claim light values underlie constitutional right privacy right means anything means georgia prosecute citizens making choices intimate aspects lives must assert choice made abominable crime fit named among christians herring state haste reverse appeals hold constitution confe fundamental right upon homosexuals engage sodomy ante relegates actual statute challenged ignores procedural posture case fair reading statute complaint clearly reveals majority distorted question case presents first almost obsessive focus homosexual activity particularly hard justify light broad language georgia used unlike georgia legislature proceeded assumption homosexuals different citizens lives may controlled way tolerated limited choices citizens cf ante rather georgia provided person commits offense sodomy performs submits sexual act involving sex organs one person mouth anus another code ann sex status persons engage act irrelevant matter state law fact extent discern legislative purpose georgia enactment purpose seems broaden coverage law reach heterosexual well homosexual activity therefore see basis decision treat case applied challenge see ante georgia attempt brief oral argument defend solely grounds prohibits homosexual activity michael hardwick standing may rest significant part georgia apparent willingness enforce homosexuals law seems desire enforce heterosexuals see tr oral arg cf claim involves unconstitutional intrusion privacy right intimate association depend way sexual orientation second disagree refusal consider whether runs afoul eighth ninth amendments equal protection clause fourteenth amendment ante respondent complaint expressly invoked ninth amendment see app relied heavily griswold connecticut identifies amendment one specific constitutional provisions giving life substance understanding privacy see brief respondent hardwick tr oral arg importantly procedural posture case requires affirm appeals judgment ground respondent may entitled relief case us petitioner motion dismiss failure state claim fed rule civ proc see app principle law complaint dismissed merely plaintiff allegations support particular legal theory advances duty examine complaint determine allegations provide relief possible theory bramlet wilson see parr great lakes express due tallahassee theaters howell wright miller federal practice procedure pp see also conley gibson thus even respondent advance claims based eighth ninth amendments equal protection clause complaint dismissed provisions entitle relief need reach either eighth amendment equal protection clause issues believe hardwick stated cognizable claim interferes constitutionally protected interests privacy freedom intimate association neither eighth amendment equal protection clause clearly irrelevant claim resting either provision peremptorily dismissed cramped reading issue makes short opinion little make persuasive one ii cases long recognized constitution embodies promise certain private sphere individual liberty kept largely beyond reach government thornburgh american college obstetricians gynecologists construing right privacy proceeded along two somewhat distinct albeit complementary lines first recognized privacy interest reference certain decisions properly individual make roe wade pierce society sisters second recognized privacy interest reference certain places without regard particular activities individuals occupy engaged karo payton new york rios case us implicates decisional spatial aspects right privacy concludes today none prior cases dealing various decisions individuals entitled make free governmental interference bears resemblance claimed constitutional right homosexuals engage acts sodomy asserted case ante true cases may characterized connection protection family see roberts jaycees conclusion extend boundary ignores warning moore east cleveland plurality opinion clos ing eyes basic reasons certain rights associated family accorded shelter fourteenth amendment due process clause protect rights contribute direct material way general public welfare form central part individual life concept privacy embodies moral fact person belongs others society whole thornburgh american college obstetricians gynecologists stevens concurring quoting fried correspondence phil pub affairs protect decision whether marry precisely marriage association promotes way life causes harmony living political faiths bilateral loyalty commercial social projects griswold connecticut protect decision whether child parenthood alters dramatically individual demographic considerations bible command fruitful multiply cf thornburgh american college obstetricians gynecologists supra stevens concurring protect family contributes powerfully happiness individuals preference stereotypical households cf moore east cleveland plurality opinion recognized roberts ability independently define one identity central concept liberty truly exercised vacuum depend emotional enrichment close ties others ibid willful blindness obscure fact sexual intimacy sensitive key relationship human existence central family life community welfare development human personality paris adult theatre slaton see also carey population services international fact individuals define significant way intimate sexual relationships others suggests nation diverse may many right ways conducting relationships much richness relationship come freedom individual choose form nature intensely personal bonds see karst freedom intimate association yale cf eisenstadt baird roe wade variety circumstances recognized necessary corollary giving individuals freedom choose conduct lives acceptance fact different individuals make different choices example holding clearly important state interest public education give way competing claim amish effect extended formal schooling threatened way life declared assumption today majority right amish others like wrong way life odd even erratic interferes rights interests others condemned different wisconsin yoder claims decision today merely refuses recognize fundamental right engage homosexual sodomy really refused recognize fundamental interest individuals controlling nature intimate associations others behavior hardwick faces prosecution occurred home place fourth amendment attaches special significance treatment aspect case symptomatic overall refusal consider broad principles informed treatment privacy specific cases right privacy mere aggregation number entitlements engage specific behavior protecting physical integrity home merely means protecting specific activities often take place even understanding contours right privacy depends reference place katz harlan concurring essence fourth amendment violation breaking person doors rummaging drawers rather invasion indefensible right personal security personal liberty private property california ciraolo powell dissenting quoting boyd interpretation pivotal case stanley georgia entirely unconvincing stanley held georgia undoubted power punish public distribution constitutionally unprotected obscene material permit state punish private possession material according majority stanley relied entirely first amendment thus claimed sheds light cases involving printed materials ante stanley said rather stanley anchored holding fourth amendment special protection individual home makers constitution undertook secure conditions favorable pursuit happiness recognized significance man spiritual nature feelings intellect knew part pain pleasure satisfactions life found material things sought protect americans beliefs thoughts emotions sensations rights appellant asserting case us asserting right read observe pleases right satisfy intellectual emotional needs privacy home quoting olmstead brandeis dissenting iii failure comprehend magnitude liberty interests stake case leads slight question whether petitioner behalf state justified georgia infringement interests believe neither two general justifications petitioner advanced warrants dismissing respondent challenge failure state claim first petitioner asserts acts made criminal statute may serious adverse consequences general public health welfare spreading communicable diseases fostering criminal activity brief petitioner inasmuch case dismissed district pleading surprising record us barren evidence support petitioner claim light state record see justification attempt equate private consensual sexual activity issue possession home drugs firearms stolen goods ante stanley refused extend protection none behavior mentioned stanley properly viewed ictimless ante drugs weapons inherently dangerous see mclaughlin property stolen someone must wrongfully deprived nothing record provides justification finding activity forbidden physically dangerous either persons engaged others core petitioner defense however respondent others engage conduct prohibited interfere georgia exercise right nation maintain decent society paris adult theater slaton quoting jacobellis ohio warren dissenting essentially petitioner argues agrees fact acts described hundreds years thousands uniformly condemned immoral sufficient reason permit state ban today brief petitioner see ante agree either length time majority held convictions passions defends withdraw legislation security see roe wade loving virginia brown board education justice jackson wrote eloquently west virginia board education barnette apply limitations constitution fear freedom intellectually spiritually diverse even contrary disintegrate social organization reedom differ limited things matter much mere shadow freedom test substance right differ things touch heart existing order see also karst yale precisely issue raised case touches heart makes individuals especially sensitive rights whose choices upset majority assertion traditional values proscribe conduct involved brief petitioner provide adequate justification certain means religious groups condemn behavior issue gives state license impose judgments entire citizenry legitimacy secular legislation depends instead whether state advance justification law beyond conformity religious doctrine see mcgowan maryland stone graham thus far buttressing case petitioner invocation leviticus romans thomas aquinas sodomy heretical status middle ages undermines suggestion represents legitimate use secular coercive power state punish private behavior religious intolerance punish behavior racial animus constitution control prejudices neither tolerate private biases may outside reach law law directly indirectly give effect palmore sidoti matter uncomfortable certain group may make majority held ere public intolerance animosity constitutionally justify deprivation person physical liberty donaldson see also cleburne cleburne living center dept agriculture moreno justified morally neutral exercise georgia power protect public environment paris adult theatre certainly private behavior affect fabric society whole reasonable people may differ whether particular sexual acts moral immoral ample evidence believing people abandon morality think better murder cruelty dishonesty merely private sexual practice abominate punished law hart immorality treason reprinted law literature ed petitioner fail see difference laws protect public sensibilities enforce private morality statutes banning public sexual activity entirely consistent protecting individual liberty interest decisions concerning sexual relations recognition decisions intensely private justifies protecting governmental interference justify protecting individuals unwilling exposure sexual activities others mere fact intimate behavior may punished takes place public dictate regulate intimate behavior occurs intimate places see paris adult theatre marital intercourse street corner theater stage forbidden despite constitutional protection identified griswold connecticut case involves real interference rights others mere knowledge individuals adhere one value system legally cognizable interest cf diamond charles let alone interest justify invading houses hearts minds citizens choose live lives differently iv took three years see error analysis minersville school district gobitis recognize threat national cohesion posed refusal salute flag vastly outweighed threat values posed compelling salute see west virginia board education barnette hope soon reconsider analysis conclude depriving individuals right choose conduct intimate relationships poses far greater threat values deeply rooted nation history tolerance nonconformity ever think today betrays values dissent georgia defined sodomy carnal knowledge connection order nature man man unnatural manner woman crim code thompson aldredge georgia held prohibit lesbian activity riley garrett georgia held prohibit heterosexual cunnilingus georgia passed statute currently force perhaps response restrictive decisions riley note crimes nature pub robinson california held eighth amendment barred convicting defendant due status narcotics addict since condition apparently illness may contracted innocently involuntarily powell texas refused extend robinson punishment public drunkenness chronic alcoholic one factors relied justice marshall writing plurality opinion texas attempted regulate appellant behavior privacy home justice white wrote separately analysis difficult case advanced preoccupation label condition robinson dealt statute makes status narcotic addiction criminal offense precluding criminal conviction status dealing condition brought acts remote time application criminal sanctions contemplated condition relatively permanent duration condition great magnitude significance terms human behavior values necessary distinguish acts conditions purposes eighth amendment adhere concept condition implicit opinion robinson proper subject inquiry whether volitional acts brought condition whether acts sufficiently proximate condition permissible impose penal sanctions condition despite historical views homosexuality longer viewed mental health professionals disease disorder see brief american psychological association american public health association amici curiae obviously neither simply matter deliberate personal election homosexual orientation may well form part fiber individual personality consequently justice white analysis powell eighth amendment may pose constitutional barrier sending individual prison acting attraction regardless circumstances individual ability make constitutionally protected decisions concerning sexual relations carey population services international powell concurring part concurring judgment rendered empty indeed given real choice life without physical intimacy respect equal protection clause applicability note georgia exclusive stress interest prosecuting homosexual activity despite terms statute may raise serious questions discriminatory enforcement questions disposed motion dismiss see yick wo hopkins legislature decided sex participants irrelevant legality acts see state defend ground individuals singled prosecution sex partners thus circumstances case claim equal protection clause may well available without reach controversial question whether homosexuals suspect class see rowland mad river local school district brennan dissenting denial certiorari note constitutional status sexual orientation homosexuality suspect classification harv rev even faced challenge apply simple scrutiny statute georgia required show actual connection forbidden acts ill effects seeks prevent connection acts prohibited harms identified petitioner brief subject hot dispute hardly amenable dismissal federal rule civil procedure compare brief petitioner brief david robinson amicus curiae one hand people onofre brief attorney general state new york joined attorney general state california amici curiae brief american psychological association american public health association amici curiae although think necessary decide today issues even remotely us seem find simple analytically sound distinctions certain private consensual sexual conduct one hand adultery incest two vaguely specific sexual crimes majority points ante example marriage addition spiritual aspects civil contract entitles contracting parties variety governmentally provided benefits state might define contractual commitment necessary become eligible benefits include commitment fidelity punish individuals breaching contract moreover state might conclude adultery likely injure third persons particular spouses children persons engage extramarital affairs respect incest might well agree respondent nature familial relationships renders true consent incestuous activity sufficiently problematical blanket prohibition activity warranted see tr oral arg notably makes effort explain chosen group private consensual homosexual activity adultery incest rather private consensual heterosexual activity unmarried persons indeed oral anal sex within marriage parallel loving case almost uncanny state relied religious justification law compare quoting trial statement almighty god created races white black yellow malay red placed separate continents fact separated races shows intend races mix brief petitioner relying old new testaments writings thomas aquinas show traditional values proscribe conduct defenders challenged statute relied heavily fact fourteenth amendment ratified similar prohibitions compare brief appellee loving virginia pp ante time case came many still criminal statutes concerning conduct issue compare noting still outlawed interracial marriage ante noting district columbia sodomy statutes yet held invidious racism virginia law violated equal protection clause see also law deprived lovings due process denying freedom choice marry long recognized one vital personal rights essential orderly pursuit happiness free men theological nature origin antisodomy statutes patent sodomy made secular offense england hen viii ch time offense sir james stephen words merely ecclesiastical stephen history criminal law england pollock maitland similarly observed crime nature closely connected heresy vulgar one name pollock maitland history english law transfer jurisdiction prosecutions sodomy secular courts seems primarily due alteration ecclesiastical jurisdiction attendant england break roman catholic church rather new understanding sovereign interest preventing punishing behavior involved cf coke institutes ch ed oral argument suggestion appeared fourth amendment special protection home might prevent state enforcing individuals engage consensual sexual activity protection make statute invalid see tr oral arg suggestion misses point entirely law invalid police invade home enforce provided course obtain determination probable cause neutral magistrate one reasons holding griswold connecticut precisely possibility repugnance permitting searches obtain evidence regarding use contraceptives permitting kinds searches might necessary obtain evidence sexual activity banned seems less intrusive repugnant cf winston lee mary beth city chicago justice stevens justice brennan justice marshall join dissenting like statute challenged case rationale opinion applies equally prohibited conduct regardless whether parties engage married unmarried different sexes sodomy condemned odious sinful type behavior formative period common law condemnation equally damning heterosexual homosexual sodomy moreover provided special exemption married couples license cohabit produce legitimate offspring simply include permission engage sexual conduct considered crime nature history georgia statute us clearly reveals traditional prohibition heterosexual well homosexual sodomy indeed one point century georgia law construed permit certain sexual conduct homosexual women even though conduct prohibited heterosexuals history statutes cited majority proof proposition sodomy constitutionally protected ante nn similarly reveals prohibition heterosexual well homosexual sodomy georgia statute expresses traditional view sodomy immoral kind conduct regardless identity persons engage believe proper analysis constitutionality requires consideration two questions first may state totally prohibit described conduct means neutral law applying without exception persons subject jurisdiction may state save statute announcing enforce law homosexuals two questions merit separate discussion 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 griswold connecticut moreover protection extends intimate choices unmarried well married persons carey population services international eisenstadt baird consideration claims kind emphasized individual interest privacy decisions actually animated even fundamental concern wrote years ago cases deal individual interest protection unwarranted public attention comment exploitation deal rather individual right make certain unusually important decisions affect family destiny referred decisions implicating basic values fundamental dignified history tradition character language cases brings mind origins american heritage freedom abiding interest individual liberty makes certain state intrusions citizen right decide live life intolerable guided history tradition respect dignity individual choice matters conscience restraints implicit federal system federal judges accepted responsibility recognition protection rights appropriate cases fitzgerald porter memorial hospital footnotes omitted cert denied paradoxical may seem prior cases thus establish state may prohibit sodomy within sacred precincts marital bedrooms griswold indeed unmarried heterosexual adults eisenstadt events perfectly clear state georgia may totally prohibit conduct proscribed georgia criminal code ii georgia statute enforced written conduct seeks prohibit protected form liberty vast majority georgia citizens state must assume burden justifying selective application law either persons georgia seeks apply statute interest liberty others must reason state may permitted apply generally applicable law certain persons apply others first possibility plainly unacceptable although meaning principle men created equal always clear surely must mean every free citizen interest liberty members majority share standpoint individual homosexual heterosexual interest deciding live life narrowly conduct personal voluntary associations companions state intrusion private conduct either equally burdensome second possibility similarly unacceptable policy selective application must supported neutral legitimate interest something substantial habitual dislike ignorance disfavored group neither state identified interest case posited justification georgia statute presumed belief majority electorate georgia homosexual sodomy immoral unacceptable ante georgia electorate expressed belief instead representatives enacted law presumably reflects belief sodomy immoral unacceptable unless prepared conclude law constitutional may rely work product georgia legislature support holding georgia statute single homosexuals separate class meriting special disfavored treatment indeed georgia prosecutor even believe homosexuals violate statute punished conclusion evident fact respondent case formally acknowledged complaint engaged intends continue engage prohibited conduct yet state elected process criminal charges justice powell points moreover georgia prohibition private consensual sodomy enforced decades record nonenforcement case last several decades belies attorney general representations importance state selective application generally applicable law georgia statute georgia prosecutor thus completely fail provide support conclusion homosexual sodomy simpliciter considered unacceptable conduct state burden justifying selective application generally applicable law met iii orders dismissal respondent complaint even though state statute prohibits sodomy even though prohibition concededly unconstitutional respect heterosexuals even though state post hoc explanations selective application belied state actions least think clear early stage litigation respondent alleged constitutional claim sufficient withstand motion dismiss respectfully dissent see code ann person commits offense sodomy performs submits sexual act involving sex organs one person mouth anus another issue presented whether federal constitution confers fundamental right upon homosexuals engage sodomy hence invalidates laws many still make conduct illegal done long time ante reality however indiscriminate prohibition sodomy heterosexual well homosexual present long time see nn infra moreover reasoning employs provide support statute written statute narrowly construed see hawkins pleas crown ed unnatural carnal copulations whether man beast seem come notion sodomy felony antient common law punished according authors burning according others burying alive blackstone commentaries discussing infamous crime nature committed either man beast crime strictly impartially proved strictly impartially punished see east pleas crown offence concerning least notice best consists carnal knowledge committed order nature man man unnatural manner woman man woman manner beast hawley mcgregor criminal law ed sodomy carnal knowledge order nature two persons human beast offense may committed man woman two male persons man woman beast see may law crimes ed sodomy otherwise called buggery bestiality crime nature unnatural copulation two persons human beast may committed man man man beast woman beast man woman wife case consent accomplice predecessor current georgia statute provided sodomy carnal knowledge connection order nature man man unnatural manner woman code tit pt prohibition heterosexual sodomy purely hortatory see comer state app affirming prosecution consensual heterosexual sodomy see thompson aldredge review statutes cited majority discloses today vast majority sodomy statutes differentiate homosexual heterosexual sodomy see loving virginia interestingly miscegenation treated crime similar sodomy see hawley mcgregor criminal law discussing crime sodomy discussing crime miscegenation indeed georgia attorney general concedes georgia statute unconstitutional applied married couple see tr oral arg stating application statute married couple unconstitutional right marital privacy identified griswold significantly georgia passed current statute three years decision griswold ante powell concurring see also tr oral arg argument georgia attorney general noting response question prosecution activity took place private residence last case recall back course possible argue statute purely symbolic role cf carey population services international stevens concurring part concurring judgment fact state admittedly never brought prosecution statute consistent appellants position purpose statute merely symbolic since georgia attorney general even defend statute written however see supra state possibly rest notion statute may defended symbolic message indeed stage appears statute indiscriminately authorizes policy selective prosecution neither limited class homosexual persons embraces persons class rather applies may arbitrarily selected prosecutor reasons revealed either record case text statute true although text statute clear enough true meaning may intolerably vague evenhanded enforcement law virtual impossibility marks stevens concurring part dissenting part