The Document Based Question/essay prompt LGBT: The Road to Equality was prepared in 2015 and the resources have not been updated since that time. For more information about recent legal developments, consult national and state newspapers, legal databases, and your librarian.
The New York courts and State Legislature have frequently been at the center of the debate over the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. In this role they have taken many actions to consider the rights of this community, in particular in the areas of: Family, Employment and Criminal Law. How the courts and legislature have addressed these rights and what the impact of these actions have been?
This activity meets the following guidelines of New York State’s Common Core Social Studies Framework (2017):
Below is a list of the 2015 resources in a searchable table. Search by theme of resource: criminal law, educational law, employment law, or family law.
People v. Uplinger
58 N.Y.2d 936 (1983) The New York Court of Appeals held unconstitutional the criminal prohibition on loitering "in a public ...
People v. Rice
41 N.Y.2d 1018 (1977) Though the issue was non-reviewable, attorney E. Carrington Boggan raised "novel and difficult constitutional questions ...
Lawrence v. Texas
539 U.S. 558 (2003) The U.S. Supreme Court overturned its 1986's Bowers v. Hardwick decision and ruled that "[t]he state ...
People v. Onofre
51 N.Y.2d 476 (1980) The Court of Appeals struck down New York's consensual sodomy statute as unconstitutional. Read More ...
Matter of Doe v. Rosa
159 Misc.2d 694 (1993) Read More ...
Levin v. Yeshiva University
96 N.Y.2d 484 (2001) The Court of Appeals held that same-sex couples may not be excluded from married student housing ...
Marriage Equality Act (2011)
A08354 - New York State Assembly Read More ...
Hernandez v. Robles
7 N.Y.3d 338 (2006) The Court of Appeals held that the New York Constitution did not "compel recognition of marriages ...
Matter of Jacob
86 N.Y.2d 651 (1995) The Court of Appeals held that the same-sex partner of a legal parent may adopt that ...
Braschi v. Stahl Assocs. Co.
74 N.Y.2d 201 (N.Y. 1989) The Court of Appeals construed the term "family" to include same-sex life partners for purposes ...
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013
S.815 -- 113th Congress Read More ...
Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (2003)
New York State Office of the Attorney General Read More ...
Matter of Kimball
33 NY2d 586 (1973) Harris L. Kimball passed the New York State Bar exam, and the Committee on Character and ...
LGBTQ Family Law: A Comprehensive Overview of Relevant LGBTQ Family Law Cases
New York City Bar Association Read More ...
Know Your Rights: Frequently Asked Questions About New York’s Marriage Equality Act
American Civil Liberties Union of New York Read More ...
When Same-Sex Marriages End
The New York Times Read More ...
Civil Rights for Transgender People
The New York Times Read More ...
Couple Sues a Vermont Inn for Rejecting Gay Wedding
The New York Times Read More ...
At the Cutting Edge of Gay Family Law
The New York Times Read More ...
Gay Rights Groups Withdraw Support of ENDA After Hobby Lobby Decision
The Washington Post Read More ...
Does the Hobby Lobby Decision Threaten Gay Rights?
Newsweek Read More ...
Know Your Rights: A Guide to NYC Employment Laws for LGBT Workers
New York City Bar Association Read More ...
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and HIV-Affected Hate Violence in 2012
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Read More ...
New York’s Hate Crimes Law: An Assessment
NYS Senate Read More ...
Youth in Schools
Lambda Legal Read More ...
The New York State Dignity for All Students Act
New York State Education Department Read More ...