made a mistake in that one,” he said. Justice Powell, who was 79 when Bowers v. Hardwick reached the court, had no personal experience with gay rights and found the issues raised by the case confusing and somewhat threatening. “I don't believe I've ever met a homosexual,” he told one of his law clerks while the case was pending. The law clerk, who in fact was gay, told the justice, “Certainly you have, but you just don't know that they are.”

The United States Supreme Court overturned Hardwick v. Bowers in 2003 in Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003).

Endnotes

1. 760 F.2d 1202 (1985).

2. 106 S.Ct. 2841 (1986).

Chapter Seven

Roe, Roe, Roe Your Boat:

Abor...

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