Homosexuals in the United States

Treatment of LGBT, Questioning, and Gender Non-Conforming
Youth in Law

This section covers the following topics:

• Expression: Prom Cases
• Harassment: Constitutional Claims
• Harassment: Title IX
• Gay/Straight Alliances
• Homophobic Speech in Schools

Freedom of Expression

This section covers the following topics:

• Dignity-Based Outing and further Reflection on Outing
• Defamation
• Speech and Association (College Students, and Speech Rights of Gay Public Employees)

Sexual Identity and the United States Constitution

This section covers the following topics:

• Substantive Due Process
• Equal Protection
• Equal Protection and Sexuality
• Sodomy: “The Crime Against Nature” (in North Carolina, Texas and Oklahoma)
• Homosexuality in Court: From Bowers v. Hardwick to Lawrence v. Texas

Employment Discrimination

This section covers the following topics:

• Discrimination in Private Employment
• Discrimination in Public Employment
• Discrimination Involving Transgendered Persons

Public Accommodation

This section covers the topic of Gay People and Public Accommodation.

Parenting

This section covers the following topics:

• Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents
• Gay and Lesbian Adoption and Parenting
• Gay and Lesbian Custody
• De Facto Parenting and Adoption
• Gestational Agreements

Treatment of Same-Sex Couples

This section covers the following topics:

• History of Gay Marriage
• The (Fundamental) Right to Marry
• Same-Sex Marriage Cases

Treatment of Transgender and Intersexual People

This section covers the history of the Transgender Movement in modern Law.

Local Policy and Decision-Making

This section covers the following topics:

• Progressive Policy-Making on the Local Level: Rethinking Traditional Notions of Federalism
• Home Rule, Dillon’s Rule and Preemption
• Local Decision-Making Authority
• Local Bills

Resources

Further Reading

• Information about Homosexuals in the Gale Encyclopedia of American Law.