In at 6-3 vote that struck down a Texas ban on gay sex, the U.S. Supreme Court today ruled that the law is an unconstitutional violation of privacy.

Donald H. J. Herman, a professor of law and philosophy at DePaul University and a recognized authority in the area of sexual orientation and the law, is available to discuss the court’s decision. Hermann had the following to say about the ruling:

“This is a very significant decision that goes beyond the issue of same-gender sex,” said Hermann. “Previous precedent was used to deny same-gender couples the right to adopt children and to deny child custody to gay and lesbian parents. This case will be significant for legislators who are considering statutory elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation.”

A graduate of Columbia University Law School, with advanced legal training from Harvard University and a doctoral degree from Northwestern University, Hermann is the founder of DePaul’s Health Law Institute, which was established in 1985. He also is a member of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Task Force on Gay and Lesbian Issues. Hermann’s areas of expertise and research include sexuality, sexual orientation and the law, AIDS law, the legal aspects of medical ethics and law, and popular culture.

Hermann can be reached at 312-375-6444 (cell); 269-426-4554 (cell) or 312/ 362-8383 (office).