John Geddes Lawrence, of Lawrence v. Texas, Has Died at 68

[Shana A]

John Geddes Lawrence, of Lawrence v. Texas, Has Died at 68
Posted by Chris Geidner |
December 23, 2011 4:45 AM

http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2011/12/john-geddes-lawrence-of-lawren.html

John Geddes Lawrence, the lead named plaintiff in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that declared sodomy laws unconstitutional across the country, died on Nov. 20, according to an obituary posted by R.S. Farmer Funeral Home in Silsbee, Texas. He was 68.

According to the obituary, Lawrence was born in Beaumont, Texas, on August 2, 1943, served in the U.S. Navy for four years and worked as a medical technologist in Texas hospitals until his retirement in 2009.

In the facts underlying the Supreme Court case, Lawrence v. Texas, Lawrence and Tyron Garner were arrested under Texas's Homosexual Conduct Law after police entered Lawrence's home on Sept. 17, 1998, and saw them "engaging in a sexual act." The couple challenged the law as unconstitutional, Lambda Legal backed their challenge, and the couple fought it up to the U.S. Supreme Court. Jenner & Block partner Paul Smith then argued the case for Lawrence and Garner on March 26, 2003.