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Today in History: Supreme Court invalidates Colorado gay rights ban

5/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On May 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Romer v. Evans that Colorado’s amendment barring legal protection for homosexuals and bisexuals violated the Equal Protection Clause. The Court held the measure failed rational-basis review, declaring it an unconstitutional denial of protected-class status and affirming sexual orientation as a protected class.

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Story summary

On May 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Romer v. Evans that Colorado’s amendment barring legal protection for homosexuals and bisexuals violated the Equal Protection Clause. The Court held the measure failed rational-basis review, declaring it an unconstitutional denial of protected-class status and affirming sexual orientation as a protected class.