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Today in History: Supreme Court's landmark ruling invalidates sodomy bans

6/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On June 26, 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, declaring state sodomy statutes that criminalized consensual adult sexual conduct unconstitutional. The Court invoked the Constitution’s protected right to privacy and personal autonomy, overturning prior bans and reshaping American sexual-rights jurisprudence.

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Story summary

On June 26, 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, declaring state sodomy statutes that criminalized consensual adult sexual conduct unconstitutional. The Court invoked the Constitution’s protected right to privacy and personal autonomy, overturning prior bans and reshaping American sexual-rights jurisprudence.