Changing hearts and minds are important, but in the end, there’s nothing like having the law on your side. That’s where the best legal advocates come in. As much as everyone likes to grouse about attorneys, the fact is that the LGBT movement would be stuck in first gear if it wasn’t for legal eagles challenging barriers we face daily. Of course they are most effective when they have political headwinds at their back, which polls have reflected in our favor. The legal and the political work best in conjunction, as each of the following stalwarts know better than anyone.
Here are six (and an unwilling auxiliar) members of the profession who have helped build the freedom & equality that we are beginning to enjoy today.
Freedom to Marry Founder Evan Wolfson
No single individual has done more to see marriage equality become reality than Evan Wolfson. For more than three decades, Wolfson methodically built the case for marriage equality, beginning as a law student, through his tenure at Lambda Legal and then as founder of Freedom to Marry. Wolfson had the foresight to see that marriage was a viable cause at a time when the LGBT community was philosophically divided about its value. He was more than just a legal strategist, literally redefining the debate rebranding it as marriage “freedom” and away from the less emotionally potent “gay marriage” and “same-sex marriage.” Wolfson has jokingly likened himself to Paul Revere, but he was much more like George Washington, maneuvering the way to victory despite ovrwhelming odds.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Xzamilio
My vote was for Anthony Kennedy. Partisan views aside, his swing vote is what ushered in gay marriage nationwide.
Antonin Scalia is absolute garbage.
Honestly, everyone — except garbage man — have been instrumental in pushing for LGBT rights nationwide.
If you’re doing another poll on historic figures in the LGBT movement, I would put Bayard Rustin high on that list.
Cam
I’m kind of shocked that you don’t have Roberta Kaplan, the Attorney in the Eddie Windsor case that laid the groundwork for marriage.
And as for Kennedy, we may have had full rights earlier if he hadn’t hedged in the Prop 8 case and asked for a weaker more narrow ruling.
But that said, I think it would be great to call Scalia’s office to tell him he won an “LGBT Ally award from Queerty”. lol
1EqualityUSA
Mary Bonauto, because the garbage man, Scalia, does everything in his power to shake his adversaries up in court. He interrupts, pulls in inappropriate comments about other cases, and is hostile to those he wants to shut down. Bonauto endured the garbage man with tenacity and grace.
Kieran
Without Justice Anthony Kennedy’s swing vote on the court we would not have achieved legal Marriage Equality in the United States. There is no question he is the Top Legal Eagle on this list.
martinbakman
Kennedy has certainly played a key role for our rights for many years.
Cam
@Kieran:
I think my only issue is, he is far less of an advocate than say Ginsberg. So we’re awarding him for not being as good on LGBT issues as the other folks on the court, but at least he isn’t as bad as the bigots?
Kevin Wotipka
I love the delicious irony, so I voted for Scalia. Thank you, Tony, for your insufferable braying that finally backfired and helped gain us our rights. You’re right up there with Michelle Bachmann.
Cam
@Kevin Wotipka:
Again, wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall when he gets the call that he’s won a pro-gay award? LOL
gaym50ish
So, where is Ted Olson? He made the case for gay marriage brilliantly both to the Supreme Court in the Proposition 8 trial and in radio and TV appearances.
JessPH
Without a speck of doubt, KENNEDY