CIfo ns: 539 !. S.

____ (2003) l
OInIon of fho Courf
OTICI: ThIs oInIon Is subjocf fo formnI rovIsIon boforo ubIIcnfIon In fho
roIImInnry rInf of fho !nIfod Sfnfos !oorfs. !ondors nro roquosfod fo
nofIfy fho !oorfor of ocIsIons, Suromo Courf of fho !nIfod Sfnfos, Wnsh-
Ingfon, . C. 20543, of nny fyogrnhIcnI or ofhor formnI orrors, In ordor
fhnf corrocfIons mny bo mndo boforo fho roIImInnry rInf goos fo ross.
!"#$%&% ()"$* )+ *,% "-.*%/ !*0*%!
_________________
o. 02l02
_________________
JOH CIIS !AW!ICI A TY!O CA!I!,
IITITIOI!S t. TIXAS
O W!IT OI CI!TIO!A!I TO THI CO!!T OI AIIIA!S OI
TIXAS, IO!!TIITH IST!ICT
|Juno 26, 2003]
J!STICI KIIY doIIvorod fho oInIon of fho Courf.
!Iborfy rofocfs fho orson from unwnrrnnfod govorn-
monf InfrusIons Info n dwoIIIng or ofhor rIvnfo Incos. In
our frndIfIon fho Sfnfo Is nof omnIrosonf In fho homo.
And fhoro nro ofhor shoros of our IIvos nnd oxIsfonco,
oufsIdo fho homo, whoro fho Sfnfo shouId nof bo n domI-
nnnf rosonco. Iroodom oxfonds boyond snfInI bounds.
!Iborfy rosumos nn nufonomy of soIf fhnf IncIudos froo-
dom of fhoughf, boIIof, oxrossIon, nnd corfnIn InfImnfo
conducf. Tho Insfnnf cnso InvoIvos IIborfy of fho orson
bofh In Ifs snfInI nnd moro frnnscondonf dImonsIons.
I
Tho quosfIon boforo fho Courf Is fho vnIIdIfy of n Toxns
sfnfufo mnkIng If n crImo for fwo orsons of fho snmo sox
fo ongngo In corfnIn InfImnfo soxunI conducf.
In Housfon, Toxns, offIcors of fho HnrrIs Counfy IoIIco
onrfmonf woro dIsnfchod fo n rIvnfo rosIdonco In
rosonso fo n roorfod wonons dIsfurbnnco. Thoy onforod
nn nnrfmonf whoro ono of fho ofIfIonors, John Coddos
!nwronco, rosIdod. Tho rIghf of fho oIIco fo onfor doos
nof soom fo hnvo boon quosfIonod. Tho offIcors obsorvod
2 !AW!ICI t. TIXAS
OInIon of fho Courf
!nwronco nnd nnofhor mnn, Tyron Cnrnor, ongngIng In n
soxunI ncf. Tho fwo ofIfIonors woro nrrosfod, hoId In
cusfody ovor nIghf, nnd chnrgod nnd convIcfod boforo n
JusfIco of fho Ionco.
Tho comInInfs doscrIbod fhoIr crImo ns dovInfo soxunI
Inforcourso, nnmoIy nnnI sox, wIfh n mombor of fho snmo
sox (mnn). A. fo Iof. for Corf. l2?n, l39n. Tho nII-
cnbIo sfnfo Inw Is Tox. IonnI Codo Ann. 2l.06(n) (2003).
If rovIdos: A orson commIfs nn offonso If ho ongngos In
dovInfo soxunI Inforcourso wIfh nnofhor IndIvIdunI of fho
snmo sox. Tho sfnfufo dofInos |d]ovInfo soxunI Infor-
courso ns foIIows:
(A) nny confncf bofwoon nny nrf of fho gonIfnIs of
ono orson nnd fho moufh or nnus of nnofhor orson;
or
(I) fho onofrnfIon of fho gonIfnIs or fho nnus of nn-
ofhor orson wIfh nn objocf. 2l.0l(l).
Tho ofIfIonors oxorcIsod fhoIr rIghf fo n frInI Je noto In
HnrrIs Counfy CrImInnI Courf. Thoy chnIIongod fho
sfnfufo ns n vIoInfIon of fho IqunI IrofocfIon CInuso of fho
Iourfoonfh Amondmonf nnd of n IIko rovIsIon of fho
Toxns ConsfIfufIon. Tox. Consf., Arf. l, 3n. Thoso con-
fonfIons woro rojocfod. Tho ofIfIonors, hnvIng onforod n
Ion of nolo con/enJere, woro onch fInod $200 nnd nssossod
courf cosfs of $l4l.25. A. fo Iof. for Corf. l0?nll0n.
Tho Courf of AonIs for fho Toxns Iourfoonfh IsfrIcf
consIdorod fho ofIfIonors` fodornI consfIfufIonnI nrgu-
monfs undor bofh fho IqunI IrofocfIon nnd uo Irocoss
CInusos of fho Iourfoonfh Amondmonf. Affor honrIng fho
cnso on bnnc fho courf, In n dIvIdod oInIon, rojocfod fho
consfIfufIonnI nrgumonfs nnd nffIrmod fho convIcfIons. 4l
S. W. 3d 349 (Tox. A. 200l). Tho mnjorIfy oInIon IndI-
cnfos fhnf fho Courf of AonIs consIdorod our docIsIon In
Bouere v. HorJuic/, 4?8 !. S. l86 (l986), fo bo confroIIIng
on fho fodornI duo rocoss nsocf of fho cnso. Bouere fhon
CIfo ns: 539 !. S. ____ (2003) 3
OInIon of fho Courf
boIng nufhorIfnfIvo, fhIs wns roor.
Wo grnnfod corfIornrI, 53? !. S. l044 (2002), fo consIdor
fhroo quosfIons:
l. Whofhor IofIfIonors` crImInnI convIcfIons undor
fho Toxns HomosoxunI Conducf InwwhIch crImI-
nnIIzos soxunI InfImncy by snmo-sox couIos, buf nof
IdonfIcnI bohnvIor by dIfforonf-sox couIosvIoInfo
fho Iourfoonfh Amondmonf gunrnnfoo of oqunI ro-
focfIon of Inws
2. Whofhor IofIfIonors` crImInnI convIcfIons for nduIf
consonsunI soxunI InfImncy In fho homo vIoInfo fhoIr
vIfnI Inforosfs In IIborfy nnd rIvncy rofocfod by fho
uo Irocoss CInuso of fho Iourfoonfh Amondmonf
3. Whofhor Bouere v. HorJuic/, 4?8 !. S. l86
(l986), shouId bo ovorruIod Iof. for Corf. I.
Tho ofIfIonors woro nduIfs nf fho fImo of fho nIIogod
offonso. ThoIr conducf wns In rIvnfo nnd consonsunI.
II
Wo concIudo fho cnso shouId bo rosoIvod by doformInIng
whofhor fho ofIfIonors woro froo ns nduIfs fo ongngo In
fho rIvnfo conducf In fho oxorcIso of fhoIr IIborfy undor
fho uo Irocoss CInuso of fho Iourfoonfh Amondmonf fo
fho ConsfIfufIon. Ior fhIs InquIry wo doom If nocossnry fo
roconsIdor fho Courf`s hoIdIng In Bouere.
Thoro nro brond sfnfomonfs of fho subsfnnfIvo ronch of
IIborfy undor fho uo Irocoss CInuso In onrIIor cnsos,
IncIudIng Pierce v. Socie/, of Sie/ere, 268 !. S. 5l0 (l925),
nnd Me,er v. AeIroe/o, 262 !. S. 390 (l923); buf fho mosf
orfInonf bogInnIng oInf Is our docIsIon In GrieuolJ v.
Connec/icu/, 38l !. S. 4?9 (l965).
In GrieuolJ fho Courf InvnIIdnfod n sfnfo Inw rohIbIf-
Ing fho uso of drugs or dovIcos of confrncofIon nnd coun-
soIIng or nIdIng nnd nboffIng fho uso of confrncofIvos.
Tho Courf doscrIbod fho rofocfod Inforosf ns n rIghf fo
4 !AW!ICI t. TIXAS
OInIon of fho Courf
rIvncy nnd Incod omhnsIs on fho mnrrIngo roInfIon nnd
fho rofocfod snco of fho mnrIfnI bodroom. 1J., nf 485.
Affor GrieuolJ If wns osfnbIIshod fhnf fho rIghf fo mnko
corfnIn docIsIons rognrdIng soxunI conducf oxfonds boyond
fho mnrIfnI roInfIonshI. In 1ieene/oJ/ v. BoirJ, 405 !. S.
438 (l9?2), fho Courf InvnIIdnfod n Inw rohIbIfIng fho
dIsfrIbufIon of confrncofIvos fo unmnrrIod orsons. Tho
cnso wns docIdod undor fho IqunI IrofocfIon CInuso, iJ.,
nf 454; buf wIfh rosocf fo unmnrrIod orsons, fho Courf
wonf on fo sfnfo fho fundnmonfnI roosIfIon fhnf fho Inw
ImnIrod fho oxorcIso of fhoIr orsonnI rIghfs, iIiJ. If
quofod from fho sfnfomonf of fho Courf of AonIs fIndIng
fho Inw fo bo In confIIcf wIfh fundnmonfnI humnn rIghfs,
nnd If foIIowod wIfh fhIs sfnfomonf of Ifs own:
If Is fruo fhnf In GrieuolJ fho rIghf of rIvncy In
quosfIon Inhorod In fho mnrIfnI roInfIonshI. . . . If fho
rIghf of rIvncy monns nnyfhIng, If Is fho rIghf of fho
inJitiJuol, mnrrIod or sIngIo, fo bo froo from unwnr-
rnnfod govornmonfnI InfrusIon Info mnffors so fun-
dnmonfnIIy nffocfIng n orson ns fho docIsIon whofhor
fo bonr or bogof n chIId. 1J., nf 453.
Tho oInIons In GrieuolJ nnd 1ieene/oJ/ woro nrf of
fho bnckground for fho docIsIon In Ioe v. WoJe, 4l0 !. S.
ll3 (l9?3). As Is woII known, fho cnso InvoIvod n chnI-
Iongo fo fho Toxns Inw rohIbIfIng nborfIons, buf fho Inws
of ofhor Sfnfos woro nffocfod ns woII. AIfhough fho Courf
hoId fho womnn`s rIghfs woro nof nbsoIufo, hor rIghf fo
oIocf nn nborfIon dId hnvo ronI nnd subsfnnfInI rofocfIon
ns nn oxorcIso of hor IIborfy undor fho uo Irocoss CInuso.
Tho Courf cIfod cnsos fhnf rofocf snfInI froodom nnd
cnsos fhnf go woII boyond If. Ioe rocognIzod fho rIghf of n
womnn fo mnko corfnIn fundnmonfnI docIsIons nffocfIng
hor dosfIny nnd confIrmod onco moro fhnf fho rofocfIon of
IIborfy undor fho uo Irocoss CInuso hns n subsfnnfIvo
dImonsIon of fundnmonfnI sIgnIfIcnnco In dofInIng fho
CIfo ns: 539 !. S. ____ (2003) 5
OInIon of fho Courf
rIghfs of fho orson.
In Core, v. Populo/ion Serticee 1n/`l, 43l !. S. 6?8 (l9??),
fho Courf confronfod n ow York Inw forbIddIng snIo or
dIsfrIbufIon of confrncofIvo dovIcos fo orsons undor l6
yonrs of ngo. AIfhough fhoro wns no sIngIo oInIon for fho
Courf, fho Inw wns InvnIIdnfod. Iofh 1ieene/oJ/ nnd
Core,, ns woII ns fho hoIdIng nnd rnfIonnIo In Ioe, con-
fIrmod fhnf fho ronsonIng of GrieuolJ couId nof bo con-
fInod fo fho rofocfIon of rIghfs of mnrrIod nduIfs. ThIs
wns fho sfnfo of fho Inw wIfh rosocf fo somo of fho mosf
roIovnnf cnsos whon fho Courf consIdorod Bouere v.
HorJuic/.
Tho fncfs In Bouere hnd somo sImIInrIfIos fo fho Insfnnf
cnso. A oIIco offIcor, whoso rIghf fo onfor sooms nof fo
hnvo boon In quosfIon, obsorvod HnrdwIck, In hIs own
bodroom, ongngIng In InfImnfo soxunI conducf wIfh nn-
ofhor nduIf mnIo. Tho conducf wns In vIoInfIon of n Coor-
gIn sfnfufo mnkIng If n crImInnI offonso fo ongngo In sod-
omy. Ono dIfforonco bofwoon fho fwo cnsos Is fhnf fho
CoorgIn sfnfufo rohIbIfod fho conducf whofhor or nof fho
nrfIcInnfs woro of fho snmo sox, whIIo fho Toxns sfnfufo,
ns wo hnvo soon, nIIos onIy fo nrfIcInnfs of fho snmo
sox. HnrdwIck wns nof rosocufod, buf ho broughf nn
ncfIon In fodornI courf fo docInro fho sfnfo sfnfufo InvnIId.
Ho nIIogod ho wns n rncfIcIng homosoxunI nnd fhnf fho
crImInnI rohIbIfIon vIoInfod rIghfs gunrnnfood fo hIm by
fho ConsfIfufIon. Tho Courf, In nn oInIon by JusfIco
WhIfo, susfnInod fho CoorgIn Inw. ChIof JusfIco Iurgor
nnd JusfIco IowoII joInod fho oInIon of fho Courf nnd
fIIod sonrnfo, concurrIng oInIons. Iour JusfIcos dIs-
sonfod. 4?8 !. S., nf l99 (oInIon of IInckmun, J., joInod
by Ironnnn, MnrshnII, nnd STIVIS, JJ.); iJ., nf 2l4
(oInIon of STIVIS, J., joInod by Ironnnn nnd MnrshnII,
JJ.).
Tho Courf bognn Ifs subsfnnfIvo dIscussIon In Bouere ns
foIIows: Tho Issuo rosonfod Is whofhor fho IodornI Con-
6 !AW!ICI t. TIXAS
OInIon of fho Courf
sfIfufIon confors n fundnmonfnI rIghf uon homosoxunIs fo
ongngo In sodomy nnd honco InvnIIdnfos fho Inws of fho
mnny Sfnfos fhnf sfIII mnko such conducf IIIognI nnd hnvo
dono so for n vory Iong fImo. 1J., nf l90. Thnf sfnfomonf,
wo now concIudo, dIscIosos fho Courf`s own fnIIuro fo
nrocInfo fho oxfonf of fho IIborfy nf sfnko. To sny fhnf
fho Issuo In Bouere wns sImIy fho rIghf fo ongngo In
corfnIn soxunI conducf domonns fho cInIm fho IndIvIdunI
uf forwnrd, jusf ns If wouId domonn n mnrrIod couIo
woro If fo bo snId mnrrIngo Is sImIy nbouf fho rIghf fo
hnvo soxunI Inforcourso. Tho Inws InvoIvod In Bouere nnd
horo nro, fo bo suro, sfnfufos fhnf urorf fo do no moro
fhnn rohIbIf n nrfIcuInr soxunI ncf. ThoIr onnIfIos nnd
urosos, fhough, hnvo moro fnr-ronchIng consoquoncos,
fouchIng uon fho mosf rIvnfo humnn conducf, soxunI
bohnvIor, nnd In fho mosf rIvnfo of Incos, fho homo. Tho
sfnfufos do sook fo confroI n orsonnI roInfIonshI fhnf,
whofhor or nof onfIfIod fo formnI rocognIfIon In fho Inw, Is
wIfhIn fho IIborfy of orsons fo chooso wIfhouf boIng un-
Ishod ns crImInnIs.
ThIs, ns n gonornI ruIo, shouId counsoI ngnInsf nffomfs
by fho Sfnfo, or n courf, fo dofIno fho monnIng of fho roIn-
fIonshI or fo sof Ifs boundnrIos nbsonf Injury fo n orson
or nbuso of nn InsfIfufIon fho Inw rofocfs. If suffIcos for
us fo ncknowIodgo fhnf nduIfs mny chooso fo onfor uon
fhIs roInfIonshI In fho confInos of fhoIr homos nnd fhoIr
own rIvnfo IIvos nnd sfIII rofnIn fhoIr dIgnIfy ns froo
orsons. Whon soxunIIfy fInds ovorf oxrossIon In InfI-
mnfo conducf wIfh nnofhor orson, fho conducf cnn bo buf
ono oIomonf In n orsonnI bond fhnf Is moro ondurIng.
Tho IIborfy rofocfod by fho ConsfIfufIon nIIows homosox-
unI orsons fho rIghf fo mnko fhIs choIco.
HnvIng mIsnrohondod fho cInIm of IIborfy fhoro ro-
sonfod fo If, nnd fhus sfnfIng fho cInIm fo bo whofhor
fhoro Is n fundnmonfnI rIghf fo ongngo In consonsunI
sodomy, fho Bouere Courf snId: IroscrIfIons ngnInsf
CIfo ns: 539 !. S. ____ (2003) ?
OInIon of fho Courf
fhnf conducf hnvo nncIonf roofs. 1J., nf l92. In ncndomIc
wrIfIngs, nnd In mnny of fho schoInrIy onicue brIofs fIIod
fo nssIsf fho Courf In fhIs cnso, fhoro nro fundnmonfnI
crIfIcIsms of fho hIsforIcnI romIsos roIIod uon by fho
mnjorIfy nnd concurrIng oInIons In Bouere. IrIof for
Cnfo InsfIfufo ns Anicue Curioe l6l?; IrIof for AmorIcnn
CIvII !IborfIos !nIon of nI. ns Anici Curioe l52l; IrIof
for Irofossors of HIsfory of nI. ns Anici Curioe 3l0. Wo
nood nof onfor fhIs dobnfo In fho nffomf fo ronch n dofInI-
fIvo hIsforIcnI judgmonf, buf fho foIIowIng consIdornfIons
counsoI ngnInsf ndofIng fho dofInIfIvo concIusIons uon
whIch Bouere Incod such roIInnco.
Af fho oufsof If shouId bo nofod fhnf fhoro Is no Iong-
sfnndIng hIsfory In fhIs counfry of Inws dIrocfod nf homo-
soxunI conducf ns n dIsfIncf mnffor. IogInnIng In coIonInI
fImos fhoro woro rohIbIfIons of sodomy dorIvod from fho
IngIIsh crImInnI Inws nssod In fho fIrsf Insfnnco by fho
!oformnfIon InrIInmonf of l533. Tho IngIIsh rohIbIfIon
wns undorsfood fo IncIudo roInfIons bofwoon mon nnd
womon ns woII ns roInfIons bofwoon mon nnd mon. Soo,
e.g., King v. Wieenon, 92 Ing. !o. ??4, ??5 (K. I. l?l8)
(InforrofIng mnnkInd In Acf of l533 ns IncIudIng
womon nnd gIrIs). Inofoonfh-confury commonfnfors
sImIInrIy rond AmorIcnn sodomy, buggory, nnd crImo-
ngnInsf-nnfuro sfnfufos ns crImInnIIzIng corfnIn roInfIons
bofwoon mon nnd womon nnd bofwoon mon nnd mon. Soo,
e.g., 2 J. IIsho, CrImInnI !nw l028 (l858); 2 J. ChIffy,
CrImInnI !nw 4?50 (5fh Am. od. l84?); !. osfy, A Com-
ondIum of AmorIcnn CrImInnI !nw l43 (l882); J. Mny,
Tho !nw of CrImos 203 (2d od. l893). Tho nbsonco of
IognI rohIbIfIons focusIng on homosoxunI conducf mny bo
oxInInod In nrf by nofIng fhnf nccordIng fo somo schoI-
nrs fho concof of fho homosoxunI ns n dIsfIncf cnfogory of
orson dId nof omorgo unfII fho Info l9fh confury. Soo,
e.g., J. Knfz, Tho InvonfIon of HoforosoxunIIfy l0 (l995); J.
`ImIIIo & I. Iroodmnn, InfImnfo Mnffors: A HIsfory of
8 !AW!ICI t. TIXAS
OInIon of fho Courf
SoxunIIfy In AmorIcn l2l (2d od. l99?) ( Tho modorn
forms lonoeexuoli/, nnd le/eroeexuoli/, do nof nIy fo
nn orn fhnf hnd nof yof nrfIcuInfod fhoso dIsfIncfIons).
Thus onrIy AmorIcnn sodomy Inws woro nof dIrocfod nf
homosoxunIs ns such buf Insfond soughf fo rohIbIf non-
rocronfIvo soxunI ncfIvIfy moro gonornIIy. ThIs doos nof
suggosf nrovnI of homosoxunI conducf. If doos fond fo
show fhnf fhIs nrfIcuInr form of conducf wns nof fhoughf
of ns n sonrnfo cnfogory from IIko conducf bofwoon hof-
orosoxunI orsons.
!nws rohIbIfIng sodomy do nof soom fo hnvo boon
onforcod ngnInsf consonfIng nduIfs ncfIng In rIvnfo. A
subsfnnfInI numbor of sodomy rosocufIons nnd convIc-
fIons for whIch fhoro nro survIvIng rocords woro for rodn-
fory ncfs ngnInsf fhoso who couId nof or dId nof consonf, ns
In fho cnso of n mInor or fho vIcfIm of nn nssnuIf. As fo
fhoso, ono uroso for fho rohIbIfIons wns fo onsuro fhoro
wouId bo no Inck of covorngo If n rodnfor commIffod n
soxunI nssnuIf fhnf dId nof consfIfufo rno ns dofInod by
fho crImInnI Inw. Thus fho modoI sodomy IndIcfmonfs
rosonfod In n l9fh-confury fronfIso, soo 2 ChIffy, eupro,
nf 49, nddrossod fho rodnfory ncfs of nn nduIf mnn
ngnInsf n mInor gIrI or mInor boy. Insfond of fnrgofIng
roInfIons bofwoon consonfIng nduIfs In rIvnfo, l9fh-
confury sodomy rosocufIons fyIcnIIy InvoIvod roInfIons
bofwoon mon nnd mInor gIrIs or mInor boys, roInfIons
bofwoon nduIfs InvoIvIng forco, roInfIons bofwoon nduIfs
ImIIcnfIng dIsnrIfy In sfnfus, or roInfIons bofwoon mon
nnd nnImnIs.
To fho oxfonf fhnf fhoro woro nny rosocufIons for fho
ncfs In quosfIon, l9fh-confury ovIdonco ruIos Imosod n
burdon fhnf wouId mnko n convIcfIon moro dIffIcuIf fo
obfnIn ovon fnkIng Info nccounf fho robIoms nIwnys
Inhoronf In rosocufIng consonsunI ncfs commIffod In
rIvnfo. !ndor fhon-rovnIIIng sfnndnrds, n mnn couId
nof bo convIcfod of sodomy bnsod uon fosfImony of n
CIfo ns: 539 !. S. ____ (2003) 9
OInIon of fho Courf
consonfIng nrfnor, bocnuso fho nrfnor wns consIdorod
nn nccomIIco. A nrfnor`s fosfImony, howovor, wns nd-
mIssIbIo If ho or sho hnd nof consonfod fo fho ncf or wns n
mInor, nnd fhoroforo IncnnbIo of consonf. Soo, e.g., I.
Whnrfon, CrImInnI !nw 443 (2d od. l852); l I. Whnrfon,
CrImInnI !nw 5l2 (8fh od. l880). Tho ruIo mny oxInIn In
nrf fho Infroquoncy of fhoso rosocufIons. In nII ovonfs
fhnf Infroquoncy mnkos If dIffIcuIf fo sny fhnf socIofy
nrovod of n rIgorous nnd sysfomnfIc unIshmonf of fho
consonsunI ncfs commIffod In rIvnfo nnd by nduIfs. Tho
IongsfnndIng crImInnI rohIbIfIon of homosoxunI sodomy
uon whIch fho Bouere docIsIon Incod such roIInnco Is ns
consIsfonf wIfh n gonornI condomnnfIon of nonrocronfIvo
sox ns If Is wIfh nn osfnbIIshod frndIfIon of rosocufIng
ncfs bocnuso of fhoIr homosoxunI chnrncfor.
Tho oIIcy of unIshIng consonfIng nduIfs for rIvnfo
ncfs wns nof much dIscussod In fho onrIy IognI IIfornfuro.
Wo cnn Infor fhnf ono ronson for fhIs wns fho vory rIvnfo
nnfuro of fho conducf. osIfo fho nbsonco of rosocu-
fIons, fhoro mny hnvo boon orIods In whIch fhoro wns
ubIIc crIfIcIsm of homosoxunIs ns such nnd nn InsIsfonco
fhnf fho crImInnI Inws bo onforcod fo dIscourngo fhoIr
rncfIcos. Iuf fnr from ossossIng nncIonf roofs, Bouere,
4?8 !. S., nf l92, AmorIcnn Inws fnrgofIng snmo-sox cou-
Ios dId nof dovoIo unfII fho Insf fhIrd of fho 20fh con-
fury. Tho roorfod docIsIons concornIng fho rosocufIon of
consonsunI, homosoxunI sodomy bofwoon nduIfs for fho
yonrs l880l995 nro nof nIwnys cIonr In fho dofnIIs, buf n
sIgnIfIcnnf numbor InvoIvod conducf In n ubIIc Inco. Soo
IrIof for AmorIcnn CIvII !IborfIos !nIon of nI. ns Anici
Curioe l4l5, nnd n. l8.
If wns nof unfII fho l9?0`s fhnf nny Sfnfo sIngIod ouf
snmo-sox roInfIons for crImInnI rosocufIon, nnd onIy nIno
Sfnfos hnvo dono so. Soo l9?? Ark. Con. Acfs no. 828;
l983 Knn. Soss. !nws . 652; l9?4 Ky. Acfs . 84?; l9??
Mo. !nws . 68?; l9?3 Monf. !nws . l339; l9?? ov.
l0 !AW!ICI t. TIXAS
OInIon of fho Courf
Sfnfs. . l632; l989 Tonn. Iub. Acfs ch. 59l; l9?3 Tox.
Con. !nws ch. 399; soo nIso Poe/ v. S/o/e, ?l5 I. 2d ll05
(OkIn. CrIm. A. l986) (sodomy Inw InvnIIdnfod ns n-
IIod fo dIfforonf-sox couIos). Iosf-Bouere ovon somo of
fhoso Sfnfos dId nof ndhoro fo fho oIIcy of surossIng
homosoxunI conducf. Ovor fho courso of fho Insf docndos,
Sfnfos wIfh snmo-sox rohIbIfIons hnvo movod fownrd
nboIIshIng fhom. Soo, e.g., Jegle, v. PicoJo, 349 Ark. 600,
80 S. W. 3d 332 (2002); Gr,ccon v. S/o/e, 283 Monf. 433,
942 I. 2d ll2 (l99?); ConpIell v. SunJquie/, 926 S. W. 2d
250 (Tonn. A. l996); Connonueol/l v. Woeeon, 842
S. W. 2d 48? (Ky. l992); soo nIso l993 ov. Sfnfs. . 5l8
(roonIIng ov. !ov. Sfnf. 20l.l93).
In summnry, fho hIsforIcnI grounds roIIod uon In Bou-
ere nro moro comIox fhnn fho mnjorIfy oInIon nnd fho
concurrIng oInIon by ChIof JusfIco Iurgor IndIcnfo.
ThoIr hIsforIcnI romIsos nro nof wIfhouf doubf nnd, nf fho
vory Ionsf, nro ovorsfnfod.
If musf bo ncknowIodgod, of courso, fhnf fho Courf In
Bouere wns mnkIng fho brondor oInf fhnf for confurIos
fhoro hnvo boon oworfuI voIcos fo condomn homosoxunI
conducf ns ImmornI. Tho condomnnfIon hns boon shnod
by roIIgIous boIIofs, concofIons of rIghf nnd nccofnbIo
bohnvIor, nnd rosocf for fho frndIfIonnI fnmIIy. Ior mnny
orsons fhoso nro nof frIvInI concorns buf rofound nnd
doo convIcfIons nccofod ns ofhIcnI nnd mornI rIncIIos
fo whIch fhoy nsIro nnd whIch fhus doformIno fho courso
of fhoIr IIvos. Thoso consIdornfIons do nof nnswor fho
quosfIon boforo us, howovor. Tho Issuo Is whofhor fho
mnjorIfy mny uso fho owor of fho Sfnfo fo onforco fhoso
vIows on fho whoIo socIofy fhrough oornfIon of fho crImI-
nnI Inw. Our obIIgnfIon Is fo dofIno fho IIborfy of nII, nof fo
mnndnfo our own mornI codo. PlonneJ Poren/looJ of
Sou/leoe/ern Po. v. Coee,, 505 !. S. 833, 850 (l992).
ChIof JusfIco Iurgor joInod fho oInIon for fho Courf In
Bouere nnd furfhor oxInInod hIs vIows ns foIIows: ocI-
CIfo ns: 539 !. S. ____ (2003) ll
OInIon of fho Courf
sIons of IndIvIdunIs roInfIng fo homosoxunI conducf hnvo
boon subjocf fo sfnfo InforvonfIon fhroughouf fho hIsfory
of Wosforn cIvIIIznfIon. CondomnnfIon of fhoso rncfIcos
Is fIrmIy roofod In Judono-ChrIsfInn mornI nnd ofhIcnI
sfnndnrds. 4?8 !. S., nf l96. As wIfh JusfIco WhIfo`s
nssumfIons nbouf hIsfory, schoInrshI cnsfs somo doubf
on fho swooIng nnfuro of fho sfnfomonf by ChIof JusfIco
Iurgor ns If orfnIns fo rIvnfo homosoxunI conducf bo-
fwoon consonfIng nduIfs. Soo, e.g., IskrIdgo, HnrdwIck
nnd HIsforIogrnhy, l999 !. III. !. !ov. 63l, 656. In nII
ovonfs wo fhInk fhnf our Inws nnd frndIfIons In fho nsf
hnIf confury nro of mosf roIovnnco horo. Thoso roforoncos
show nn omorgIng nwnronoss fhnf IIborfy gIvos subsfnn-
fInI rofocfIon fo nduIf orsons In docIdIng how fo conducf
fhoIr rIvnfo IIvos In mnffors orfnInIng fo sox. |H]Isfory
nnd frndIfIon nro fho sfnrfIng oInf buf nof In nII cnsos fho
ondIng oInf of fho subsfnnfIvo duo rocoss InquIry.
Coun/, of Socronen/o v. Leuie, 523 !. S. 833, 85? (l998)
(KIIY, J., concurrIng).
ThIs omorgIng rocognIfIon shouId hnvo boon nnronf
whon Bouere wns docIdod. In l955 fho AmorIcnn !nw
InsfIfufo romuIgnfod fho ModoI IonnI Codo nnd mndo
cIonr fhnf If dId nof rocommond or rovIdo for crImInnI
onnIfIos for consonsunI soxunI roInfIons conducfod In
rIvnfo. A!I, ModoI IonnI Codo 2l3.2, Commonf 2,
. 3?2 (l980). If jusfIfIod Ifs docIsIon on fhroo grounds:
(l) Tho rohIbIfIons undormInod rosocf for fho Inw by
onnIIzIng conducf mnny ooIo ongngod In; (2) fho sfnf-
ufos roguInfod rIvnfo conducf nof hnrmfuI fo ofhors; nnd
(3) fho Inws woro nrbIfrnrIIy onforcod nnd fhus InvIfod fho
dnngor of bInckmnII. A!I, ModoI IonnI Codo, Common-
fnry 2??280 (Tonf. rnff o. 4, l955). In l96l IIIInoIs
chnngod Ifs Inws fo conform fo fho ModoI IonnI Codo.
Ofhor Sfnfos soon foIIowod. IrIof for Cnfo InsfIfufo ns
Anicue Curioe l5l6.
In Bouere fho Courf roforrod fo fho fncf fhnf boforo l96l
l2 !AW!ICI t. TIXAS
OInIon of fho Courf
nII 50 Sfnfos hnd oufInwod sodomy, nnd fhnf nf fho fImo of
fho Courf`s docIsIon 24 Sfnfos nnd fho IsfrIcf of CoIumbIn
hnd sodomy Inws. 4?8 !. S., nf l92l93. JusfIco IowoII
oInfod ouf fhnf fhoso rohIbIfIons offon woro boIng Ig-
norod, howovor. CoorgIn, for Insfnnco, hnd nof soughf fo
onforco Ifs Inw for docndos. 1J., nf l9?l98, n. 2 (Tho
hIsfory of nononforcomonf suggosfs fho morIbund chnrnc-
for fodny of Inws crImInnIIzIng fhIs fyo of rIvnfo, con-
sonsunI conducf).
Tho swooIng roforoncos by ChIof JusfIco Iurgor fo fho
hIsfory of Wosforn cIvIIIznfIon nnd fo Judoo-ChrIsfInn
mornI nnd ofhIcnI sfnndnrds dId nof fnko nccounf of ofhor
nufhorIfIos oInfIng In nn oosIfo dIrocfIon. A commIffoo
ndvIsIng fho IrIfIsh InrIInmonf rocommondod In l95?
roonI of Inws unIshIng homosoxunI conducf. Tho WoIf-
ondon !oorf: !oorf of fho CommIffoo on HomosoxunI
Offonsos nnd IrosfIfufIon (l963). InrIInmonf onncfod fho
subsfnnco of fhoso rocommondnfIons l0 yonrs Infor. Sox-
unI Offoncos Acf l96?, l.
Of ovon moro Imorfnnco, nImosf fIvo yonrs boforo Bou-
ere wns docIdod fho Iuroonn Courf of Humnn !Ighfs
consIdorod n cnso wIfh nrnIIoIs fo Bouere nnd fo fodny`s
cnso. An nduIf mnIo rosIdonf In orfhorn IroInnd nIIogod
ho wns n rncfIcIng homosoxunI who dosIrod fo ongngo In
consonsunI homosoxunI conducf. Tho Inws of orfhorn
IroInnd forbndo hIm fhnf rIghf. Ho nIIogod fhnf ho hnd
boon quosfIonod, hIs homo hnd boon sonrchod, nnd ho
fonrod crImInnI rosocufIon. Tho courf hoId fhnf fho Inws
roscrIbIng fho conducf woro InvnIId undor fho Iuroonn
ConvonfIon on Humnn !Ighfs. DuJgeon v. Ini/eJ King-
Jon, 45 Iur. Cf. H. !. (l98l) 52. AufhorIfnfIvo In nII
counfrIos fhnf nro mombors of fho CouncII of Iuroo (2l
nnfIons fhon, 45 nnfIons now), fho docIsIon Is nf odds wIfh
fho romIso In Bouere fhnf fho cInIm uf forwnrd wns
InsubsfnnfInI In our Wosforn cIvIIIznfIon.
In our own consfIfufIonnI sysfom fho dofIcIoncIos In
CIfo ns: 539 !. S. ____ (2003) l3
OInIon of fho Courf
Bouere bocnmo ovon moro nnronf In fho yonrs foIIowIng
Ifs nnnouncomonf. Tho 25 Sfnfos wIfh Inws rohIbIfIng
fho roIovnnf conducf roforoncod In fho Bouere docIsIon nro
roducod now fo l3, of whIch 4 onforco fhoIr Inws onIy
ngnInsf homosoxunI conducf. In fhoso Sfnfos whoro sod-
omy Is sfIII roscrIbod, whofhor for snmo-sox or hoforosox-
unI conducf, fhoro Is n nfforn of nononforcomonf wIfh
rosocf fo consonfIng nduIfs ncfIng In rIvnfo. Tho Sfnfo
of Toxns ndmIffod In l994 fhnf ns of fhnf dnfo If hnd nof
rosocufod nnyono undor fhoso cIrcumsfnncos. S/o/e v.
Morolee, 869 S. W. 2d 94l, 943.
Two rIncInI cnsos docIdod nffor Bouere cnsf Ifs hoId-
Ing Info ovon moro doubf. In PlonneJ Poren/looJ of
Sou/leoe/ern Po. v. Coee,, 505 !. S. 833 (l992), fho Courf
ronffIrmod fho subsfnnfIvo forco of fho IIborfy rofocfod by
fho uo Irocoss CInuso. Tho Coee, docIsIon ngnIn con-
fIrmod fhnf our Inws nnd frndIfIon nfford consfIfufIonnI
rofocfIon fo orsonnI docIsIons roInfIng fo mnrrIngo,
rocronfIon, confrncofIon, fnmIIy roInfIonshIs, chIId
ronrIng, nnd oducnfIon. 1J., nf 85l. In oxInInIng fho
rosocf fho ConsfIfufIon domnnds for fho nufonomy of fho
orson In mnkIng fhoso choIcos, wo sfnfod ns foIIows:
Thoso mnffors, InvoIvIng fho mosf InfImnfo nnd or-
sonnI choIcos n orson mny mnko In n IIfofImo, choIcos
confrnI fo orsonnI dIgnIfy nnd nufonomy, nro confrnI
fo fho IIborfy rofocfod by fho Iourfoonfh Amond-
monf. Af fho honrf of IIborfy Is fho rIghf fo dofIno
ono`s own concof of oxIsfonco, of monnIng, of fho unI-
vorso, nnd of fho mysfory of humnn IIfo. IoIIofs nbouf
fhoso mnffors couId nof dofIno fho nffrIbufos of or-
sonhood woro fhoy formod undor comuIsIon of fho
Sfnfo. 1IiJ.
Iorsons In n homosoxunI roInfIonshI mny sook nufonomy
for fhoso urosos, jusf ns hoforosoxunI orsons do. Tho
docIsIon In Bouere wouId dony fhom fhIs rIghf.
l4 !AW!ICI t. TIXAS
OInIon of fho Courf
Tho socond osf-Bouere cnso of rIncInI roIovnnco Is
Ioner v. 1tone, 5l? !. S. 620 (l996). Thoro fho Courf
sfruck down cInss-bnsod IogIsInfIon dIrocfod nf homosoxu-
nIs ns n vIoInfIon of fho IqunI IrofocfIon CInuso. Ioner
InvnIIdnfod nn nmondmonf fo CoIorndo`s consfIfufIon
whIch nnmod ns n soIIfnry cInss orsons who woro homo-
soxunIs, IosbInns, or bIsoxunI oIfhor by orIonfnfIon, con-
ducf, rncfIcos or roInfIonshIs, iJ., nf 624 (InfornnI
quofnfIon mnrks omIffod), nnd dorIvod fhom of rofocfIon
undor sfnfo nnfIdIscrImInnfIon Inws. Wo concIudod fhnf
fho rovIsIon wns born of nnImosIfy fownrd fho cInss of
orsons nffocfod nnd furfhor fhnf If hnd no rnfIonnI roIn-
fIon fo n IogIfImnfo govornmonfnI uroso. 1J., nf 634.
As nn nIfornnfIvo nrgumonf In fhIs cnso, counsoI for fho
ofIfIonors nnd somo onici confond fhnf Ioner rovIdos
fho bnsIs for docInrIng fho Toxns sfnfufo InvnIId undor fho
IqunI IrofocfIon CInuso. Thnf Is n fonnbIo nrgumonf, buf
wo concIudo fho Insfnnf cnso roquIros us fo nddross
whofhor Bouere IfsoIf hns confInuIng vnIIdIfy. Woro wo fo
hoId fho sfnfufo InvnIId undor fho IqunI IrofocfIon CInuso
somo mIghf quosfIon whofhor n rohIbIfIon wouId bo vnIId
If drnwn dIfforonfIy, sny, fo rohIbIf fho conducf bofh
bofwoon snmo-sox nnd dIfforonf-sox nrfIcInnfs.
IqunIIfy of fronfmonf nnd fho duo rocoss rIghf fo
domnnd rosocf for conducf rofocfod by fho subsfnnfIvo
gunrnnfoo of IIborfy nro IInkod In Imorfnnf rosocfs, nnd
n docIsIon on fho Inffor oInf ndvnncos bofh Inforosfs. If
rofocfod conducf Is mndo crImInnI nnd fho Inw whIch
doos so romnIns unoxnmInod for Ifs subsfnnfIvo vnIIdIfy,
Ifs sfIgmn mIghf romnIn ovon If If woro nof onforconbIo ns
drnwn for oqunI rofocfIon ronsons. Whon homosoxunI
conducf Is mndo crImInnI by fho Inw of fho Sfnfo, fhnf
docInrnfIon In nnd of IfsoIf Is nn InvIfnfIon fo subjocf ho-
mosoxunI orsons fo dIscrImInnfIon bofh In fho ubIIc nnd
In fho rIvnfo shoros. Tho confrnI hoIdIng of Bouere hns
boon broughf In quosfIon by fhIs cnso, nnd If shouId bo
CIfo ns: 539 !. S. ____ (2003) l5
OInIon of fho Courf
nddrossod. Ifs confInunnco ns rocodonf domonns fho
IIvos of homosoxunI orsons.
Tho sfIgmn fhIs crImInnI sfnfufo Imosos, moroovor, Is
nof frIvInI. Tho offonso, fo bo suro, Is buf n cInss C mIs-
domonnor, n mInor offonso In fho Toxns IognI sysfom.
SfIII, If romnIns n crImInnI offonso wIfh nII fhnf Imorfs
for fho dIgnIfy of fho orsons chnrgod. Tho ofIfIonors wIII
bonr on fhoIr rocord fho hIsfory of fhoIr crImInnI convIc-
fIons. Jusf fhIs Torm wo rojocfod vnrIous chnIIongos fo
sfnfo Inws roquIrIng fho rogIsfrnfIon of sox offondors.
Sni/l v. Doe, 538 !. S. __ (2003); Connec/icu/ Dep/. of
PuIlic Sofe/, v. Doe, 538 !. S. l (2003). Wo nro ndvIsod
fhnf If Toxns convIcfod nn nduIf for rIvnfo, consonsunI
homosoxunI conducf undor fho sfnfufo horo In quosfIon
fho convIcfod orson wouId como wIfhIn fho rogIsfrnfIon
Inws of n Ionsf four Sfnfos woro ho or sho fo bo subjocf fo
fhoIr jurIsdIcfIon. Iof. for Corf. l3, nnd n. l2 (cIfIng Idnho
Codo l8830l fo l88326 (Cum. Su. 2002); !n. Codo
CrIm. Iroc. Ann., l5:540l5:549 (Wosf 2003); MIss.
Codo Ann. 45332l fo 45335? (!oxIs 2003); S. C.
Codo Ann. 233400 fo 233490 (Wosf 2002)). ThIs
undorscoros fho consoquonfInI nnfuro of fho unIshmonf
nnd fho sfnfo-sonsorod condomnnfIon nffondnnf fo fho
crImInnI rohIbIfIon. Iurfhormoro, fho Toxns crImInnI
convIcfIon cnrrIos wIfh If fho ofhor coIInfornI consoquoncos
nIwnys foIIowIng n convIcfIon, such ns nofnfIons on job
nIIcnfIon forms, fo monfIon buf ono oxnmIo.
Tho foundnfIons of Bouere hnvo susfnInod sorIous oro-
sIon from our roconf docIsIons In Coee, nnd Ioner. Whon
our rocodonf hns boon fhus wonkonod, crIfIcIsm from
ofhor sourcos Is of gronfor sIgnIfIcnnco. In fho !nIfod
Sfnfos crIfIcIsm of Bouere hns boon subsfnnfInI nnd con-
fInuIng, dIsnrovIng of Ifs ronsonIng In nII rosocfs, nof
jusf ns fo Ifs hIsforIcnI nssumfIons. Soo, e.g., C. IrIod,
Ordor nnd !nw: ArguIng fho !ongnn !ovoIufIonA IIrsf-
hnnd Accounf 8l84 (l99l); !. Iosnor, Sox nnd !onson
l6 !AW!ICI t. TIXAS
OInIon of fho Courf
34l350 (l992). Tho courfs of fIvo dIfforonf Sfnfos hnvo
docIInod fo foIIow If In InforrofIng rovIsIons In fhoIr own
sfnfo consfIfufIons nrnIIoI fo fho uo Irocoss CInuso of
fho Iourfoonfh Amondmonf, soo Jegle, v. PicoJo, 349 Ark.
600, 80 S. W. 3d 332 (2002); Pouell v. S/o/e, 2?0 Cn. 32?,
5l0 S. I. 2d l8, 24 (l998); Gr,ccon v. S/o/e, 283 Monf.
433, 942 I. 2d ll2 (l99?); ConpIell v. SunJquie/, 926
S. W. 2d 250 (Tonn. A. l996); Connonueol/l v. Woe-
eon, 842 S. W. 2d 48? (Ky. l992).
To fho oxfonf Bouere roIIod on vnIuos wo shnro wIfh n
wIdor cIvIIIznfIon, If shouId bo nofod fhnf fho ronsonIng
nnd hoIdIng In Bouere hnvo boon rojocfod oIsowhoro. Tho
Iuroonn Courf of Humnn !Ighfs hns foIIowod nof Bouere
buf Ifs own docIsIon In DuJgeon v. Ini/eJ KingJon. Soo
P. G. & J. H. v. Ini/eJ KingJon, A. o. 00044?8?/98,
56 (Iur. Cf. H. !., Sof. 25, 200l); MoJinoe v. C,prue,
259 Iur. Cf. H. !. (l993); Aorrie v. 1relonJ, l42 Iur. Cf.
H. !. (l988). Ofhor nnfIons, foo, hnvo fnkon ncfIon consIs-
fonf wIfh nn nffIrmnfIon of fho rofocfod rIghf of homo-
soxunI nduIfs fo ongngo In InfImnfo, consonsunI conducf.
Soo IrIof for Mnry !obInson of nI. ns Anici Curioe lll2.
Tho rIghf fho ofIfIonors sook In fhIs cnso hns boon nc-
cofod ns nn InfogrnI nrf of humnn froodom In mnny
ofhor counfrIos. Thoro hns boon no showIng fhnf In fhIs
counfry fho govornmonfnI Inforosf In cIrcumscrIbIng or-
sonnI choIco Is somohow moro IogIfImnfo or urgonf.
Tho docfrIno of e/ore Jecieie Is ossonfInI fo fho rosocf
nccordod fo fho judgmonfs of fho Courf nnd fo fho sfnbIIIfy
of fho Inw. If Is nof, howovor, nn InoxornbIo commnnd.
Po,ne v. Tenneeeee, 50l !. S. 808, 828 (l99l) (S/ore
Jecieie Is nof nn InoxornbIo commnnd; rnfhor, If 'Is n rIn-
cIIo of oIIcy nnd nof n mochnnIcnI formuIn of ndhoronco
fo fho Infosf docIsIon` ) (quofIng Heltering v. Holloc/, 309
!. S. l06, ll9 (l940))). In Coee, wo nofod fhnf whon n
Courf Is nskod fo ovorruIo n rocodonf rocognIzIng n con-
sfIfufIonnI IIborfy Inforosf, IndIvIdunI or socIofnI roIInnco
CIfo ns: 539 !. S. ____ (2003) l?
OInIon of fho Courf
on fho oxIsfonco of fhnf IIborfy cnufIons wIfh nrfIcuInr
sfrongfh ngnInsf rovorsIng courso. 505 !. S., nf 855856;
soo nIso iJ., nf 844 (!Iborfy fInds no rofugo In n jurIsru-
donco of doubf). Tho hoIdIng In Bouere, howovor, hns nof
Inducod dofrImonfnI roIInnco comnrnbIo fo somo In-
sfnncos whoro rocognIzod IndIvIdunI rIghfs nro InvoIvod.
Indood, fhoro hns boon no IndIvIdunI or socIofnI roIInnco
on Bouere of fho sorf fhnf couId counsoI ngnInsf ovor-
furnIng Ifs hoIdIng onco fhoro nro comoIIIng ronsons fo do
so. Bouere IfsoIf cnusos uncorfnInfy, for fho rocodonfs
boforo nnd nffor Ifs Issunnco confrndIcf Ifs confrnI hoIdIng.
Tho rnfIonnIo of Bouere doos nof wIfhsfnnd cnrofuI
nnnIysIs. In hIs dIssonfIng oInIon In Bouere J!STICI
STIVIS cnmo fo fhoso concIusIons:
Our rIor cnsos mnko fwo roosIfIons nbundnnfIy
cIonr. IIrsf, fho fncf fhnf fho govornIng mnjorIfy In n
Sfnfo hns frndIfIonnIIy vIowod n nrfIcuInr rncfIco ns
ImmornI Is nof n suffIcIonf ronson for uhoIdIng n Inw
rohIbIfIng fho rncfIco; noIfhor hIsfory nor frndIfIon
couId snvo n Inw rohIbIfIng mIscogonnfIon from con-
sfIfufIonnI nffnck. Socond, IndIvIdunI docIsIons by
mnrrIod orsons, concornIng fho InfImncIos of fhoIr
hysIcnI roInfIonshI, ovon whon nof Infondod fo ro-
duco offsrIng, nro n form of IIborfy rofocfod by fho
uo Irocoss CInuso of fho Iourfoonfh Amondmonf.
Moroovor, fhIs rofocfIon oxfonds fo InfImnfo choIcos
by unmnrrIod ns woII ns mnrrIod orsons. 4?8 !. S.,
nf 2l6 (foofnofos nnd cIfnfIons omIffod).
J!STICI STIVIS` nnnIysIs, In our vIow, shouId hnvo boon
confroIIIng In Bouere nnd shouId confroI horo.
Bouere wns nof corrocf whon If wns docIdod, nnd If Is
nof corrocf fodny. If oughf nof fo romnIn bIndIng roco-
donf. Bouere v. HorJuic/ shouId bo nnd now Is ovorruIod.
Tho rosonf cnso doos nof InvoIvo mInors. If doos nof
InvoIvo orsons who mIghf bo Injurod or coorcod or who
l8 !AW!ICI t. TIXAS
OInIon of fho Courf
nro sIfunfod In roInfIonshIs whoro consonf mIghf nof
onsIIy bo rofusod. If doos nof InvoIvo ubIIc conducf or
rosfIfufIon. If doos nof InvoIvo whofhor fho govornmonf
musf gIvo formnI rocognIfIon fo nny roInfIonshI fhnf
homosoxunI orsons sook fo onfor. Tho cnso doos InvoIvo
fwo nduIfs who, wIfh fuII nnd mufunI consonf from onch
ofhor, ongngod In soxunI rncfIcos common fo n homosox-
unI IIfosfyIo. Tho ofIfIonors nro onfIfIod fo rosocf for
fhoIr rIvnfo IIvos. Tho Sfnfo cnnnof domonn fhoIr oxIs-
fonco or confroI fhoIr dosfIny by mnkIng fhoIr rIvnfo
soxunI conducf n crImo. ThoIr rIghf fo IIborfy undor fho
uo Irocoss CInuso gIvos fhom fho fuII rIghf fo ongngo In
fhoIr conducf wIfhouf InforvonfIon of fho govornmonf. If
Is n romIso of fho ConsfIfufIon fhnf fhoro Is n ronIm of
orsonnI IIborfy whIch fho govornmonf mny nof onfor.
Coee,, eupro, nf 84?. Tho Toxns sfnfufo furfhors no Io-
gIfImnfo sfnfo Inforosf whIch cnn jusfIfy Ifs InfrusIon Info
fho orsonnI nnd rIvnfo IIfo of fho IndIvIdunI.
Hnd fhoso who drow nnd rnfIfIod fho uo Irocoss
CInusos of fho IIffh Amondmonf or fho Iourfoonfh
Amondmonf known fho comononfs of IIborfy In Ifs mnnI-
foId ossIbIIIfIos, fhoy mIghf hnvo boon moro socIfIc.
Thoy dId nof rosumo fo hnvo fhIs InsIghf. Thoy know
fImos cnn bIInd us fo corfnIn frufhs nnd Infor gonornfIons
cnn soo fhnf Inws onco fhoughf nocossnry nnd roor In
fncf sorvo onIy fo oross. As fho ConsfIfufIon onduros,
orsons In ovory gonornfIon cnn Invoko Ifs rIncIIos In
fhoIr own sonrch for gronfor froodom.
Tho judgmonf of fho Courf of AonIs for fho Toxns
Iourfoonfh IsfrIcf Is rovorsod, nnd fho cnso Is romnndod
for furfhor rocoodIngs nof InconsIsfonf wIfh fhIs oInIon.
1/ ie eo orJereJ.