Daze Reader

Tyron Garner

http://www.dazereader.com/24001016.htm Overlooked in most December "famous people who died this year" reviews, but noted by the Baltimore alt-weekly City Paper: Tyron Garner, one of the petitioners in the Supreme Court case which challenged the constitutionality of sodomy laws.

In June 2003, five years after Garner and Lawrence were arrested, the Supreme Court ruled in their favor 6-3, striking down not just Texas' anti-sodomy laws but similar laws in 13 other states as well. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion, stating that "When homosexual conduct is made criminal by the law of the State, that declaration in and of itself is an invitation to subject homosexual persons to discrimination both in the public and in the private spheres. . . . The State cannot demean their existence or control their destiny by making their private sexual conduct a crime."

While gay-rights advocates cheered, Garner went back to his normal life. He ran a barbecue truck and liked to go dancing, until he became sick with meningitis in January 2006. He eventually lost the use of his legs and had to be cared for by his brother. He died Sept. 11 in Houston, at just 39 years old.

Also: NY Times obituary and Austin NPR segment.

 

« Joe Rogan on Hugh Hefner | Main | Nudity by satellite »