lESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER/TRANSSEXUAl INDIVIDUALS

"Liberty protects the person from unwarranted government intrusions into a dwelling or other private places. In our tradition the state is not omQipresent in the home. And there are other spheres of our lives and existence, outside the home, where the state should not be a dominant presence. Freedom extends beyond spatial bounds. Liberty presumes an autonomy of self that includes freedom of thought, belief, expression, and certain intimate conduct." 1 With those words written by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy in 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court removed legislation criminalizing same-gender sexual relations throughout the country-a major event in the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans gender/transsexual (LGBT) men and women. This event makes clear that consensual sexual relationships between adult, same-gender couples are not to be prohibited. Previous legislation was a major barrier for LGBT men and women. While it was not used directly against them very often, it restricted their activities in other situations, such as adoption and employment protections. The removal of legislation criminalizing same-gender sexual activity leads the way toward granting the lives of LGBT men and women greater legitimacy, and hence better health outcomes. However, there is still much to be done.