Ratchford v. Gay Lib
United States Supreme Court
434 U.S. 1080 (1978)
- Written by Mike Begovic, JD
Facts
Gay Lib (plaintiff), a student organization devoted to supporting the gay community and eroding the stigma surrounding it, sought recognition from the University of Missouri in order to use its facilities and have access to its resources. The university denied Gay Lib’s request on the grounds that it would expand homosexual behavior and encourage violation of the state’s antisodomy statute. Gay Lib filed suit in federal district court, contending that the university’s denial constituted a violation of its speech and association rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. The district court sided with the university, finding that no violation had occurred. After a hearing, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed the decision. At the hearing, psychologists testified that the organization would likely incite violations of the antisodomy statute. The Eighth Circuit accepted this finding of fact. A petition for a hearing en banc was denied. The university sought Supreme Court review.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning ()
Dissent (Rehnquist, J.)
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