Who Is The Top Legal Eagle? Could It Be One Surprising Antigay Ally? You Decide!
By John Gallagher
November 16, 2015 at 8:00am · Updated on November 17, 2015
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.
Mary Bonauto
If Evan Wolfson was the force building public support for marriage equality, Mary Bonauto was the one making the argument in court with an eloquence that far outmatched her opponents. As a leading attorney at Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders in Boston, Bonauto repeatedly appeared in courts to argue for marriage equality and always emerged victorious, resulting in favorable ruling from Massachusetts to Connecticut. But her biggest victory was before the U.S Supreme Court, where she convinced a majority of justices that marriage equality should be the law of the land in a court with a conservative majority. “No gay person in this country would be married without Mary Bonauto,” noted Roberta Kaplan, the attorney (and herself a champion) who successful argued against the Defense of Marriage Ast 2ct.
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy
Five judges constitute a majority on the Supreme Court, but one stands out: Anthony Kennedy. The Reagan-appointed justice has become the most foreceful advocate for LGBT rights on the bench, taking the lead on opinions striking down sodomy laws, anti-gay ballot measures and, most notably, bans on marriage equality. He’s done so by using language that goes well beyond legal reasoning to recognize the validity and even integrity of same-sex relationships–and their children as well. He’s become a kind of poet laureate of same- love, with such eloquent musings in his rulings such as this: “There is dignity in the bond between two men or two women who seek to marry and in their autonomy to make such profound choices.” Kennedy’s legal mentor was a gay man who clearly had a profound impact on his student. Would we have been quite as successful if someone else held Kennedy’s spot on the bench? Maybe. But we would never have had the same affirmations of the respect that we deserve as American citizens if it weren’t for Kennedy.
Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin Cathcart
For more than three decades, Cathcart has been laboring in the field of LGBT law, the past 23 years as executive director of Lambda Legal. During that time, Cathcart has played a role in the striking down of sodomy laws, advancement of marriage equality, and protection of LGBT youth and people with HIV. He’s also overseen a major expansion of Lambda Legal’s presence, with new offices in Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas. Cathcart announced last summer that he will be retiring when his contract ends in April 2016, leaving some big shoes to fill.
GLAD Attorney Jennifer Levi
As head of Gay and Lesbian Defenders’ Transgender Rights Project, Jennifer Levi is at the forefront of the next big push for legal rights. Levi has been an attorney on a number of the groundbreaking cases, including a case on behalf of federal prisoners seeking to transition. Given that we’re still in the early stages of legal battles for transgender rights, you can expect to be hearing a lot more from Levi as she takes on the challenges to the legal barriers still facing the community.
National Center for Lesbian Rights Legal Director Shannon Price Minter
For a purportedly progressive state, California has been a fertile ground for legal challenges to LGBT rights, and Shannon Minter (as well as NCLR executive director Kate Kendell) has often been right in the midst of the battles. As the lead attorney for the couple’s challenging California’s ban on marriage, Minter won a huge legal victory only to see it lost temporarily in the Prop 8 backlash. Minter’s work earned the attention of the White House, which named him to the president’s Commission on White House fellowships, making him one of the Obama administration’s high-profile transgender appointees..
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia
Yes, to his unending chagrin, the most anti-LGBT justice did us a tremendous favor. How? The crusader against pro-gay argle-bargle was instrumental in the victory for marrage equality. Scalia’s dissent in the DOMA decision became the scaffolding that judge after judge used to justify the end of statewide marriage bans. Scalia provided the backward legal reasoning for these fine judges by claiming that “the real rationale of today’s opinion… is that DOMA is motivated by ‘bare…desire to harm'” would have to apply to state bans. So removed from the reality of gay lives, so consumed in his own personal and religious biases, so filled with animosity, Scalia made the case for equality almost as well as his ideological foe on the court, Anthony Kennedy.
Who were federal judges to argue? Thanks, Tony!
Don't forget to share:
Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...
We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
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