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John Roberts and Gay Rights?

By stcynic on August 4, 2005.

Thanks to Jon Rowe for pointing me to this article about Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' involvement in the Romer v Evans decision in 1996. This was a very important gay rights decision that overturned a Colorado law that forbid "all legislative, executive, or judicial action at any level of state or local government designed to protect the status of persons based on their 'homosexual, lesbian or bisexual orientation, conduct, practices or relationships.'" Both the Colorado and federal Supreme Courts struck down this law as violating the equal protection clause. And John Roberts was not only involved with the litigation on the side of gay rights, he did his work pro bono:

He did not argue the case before the Supreme Court, but he was instrumental in reviewing filings and preparing oral arguments, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times...

Walter A. Smith, then head of the pro bono department at Roberts' law firm, Hogan & Hartson, asked for Roberts' help on the case and he agreed immediately. "It's illustrative of his open-mindedness, his fair-mindedness," said Smith. "He did a brilliant job."...

Jean Dubofsky, lead lawyer for the gay rights activists, said Roberts' work in the case was "absolutely crucial."

And Suzanne B. Goldberg, a lawyer with Lambda, a legal services group for gays and lesbians, called the Supreme Court ruling the "single most important positive ruling in the history of the gay rights movement."

Now this doesn't necessarily mean much of anything. But I think it's a pretty good sign.

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Supreme Court Confirmation

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We're actually discussing this on other fora. I (I'm gay) do not believe that he should be dismissed out of hand.

Confirm this guy already. He sounds a lot more moderate than I ever dreamed would come out of Bush. Do it before Bush changes his mind.

I actually agree with Matthew. He may end up being the next Earl Warren.

Rehnquist was reported to have been taken to the hospital today. He should retire. He cannot continue as manager of the US judiciary, given his ill health.