Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2000
Publication Title
Cleveland State Law Review
Keywords
petition clause, first amendment, gay rights, GLBT rights
Abstract
In the battle for gay, lesbian, and bisexual rights, most of the fighting has centered on two sources of constitutional protection: substantive due process and equal protection. Unfortunately, courts have been reluctant to find in either of those constitutional guarantees a broad source of protection for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. The purpose of my remarks today is to suggest that the First Amendment—specifically, the Petition Clause of the First Amendment—provides an alternative basis for vindicating gay, lesbian, and bisexual rights in certain cases. At least in the context of voter initiatives that seek to abolish anti-discrimination protection for sexual orientation, the Petition Clause is a promising alternative to equal protection and substantive due process.
Repository Citation
Kevin F. O'Neill, The First Amendment's Petition Clause as an Alternative Basis for Challenging Voter Initiatives That Burden the Enactment of Anti-Discrimination Protection for Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals, 48 Cleveland State Law Review 131 (2000)
Volume
48
Included in
Civil Rights and Discrimination Commons, First Amendment Commons, Sexuality and the Law Commons
