The National Masturbators Task Force

William B. Turner, Emory University School of Law

Abstract

This article explores why all legislative classifications on the basis of sexual orientation deserve close judicial scrutiny as invidious. Although we typically think of political powerlessness as the logical claim to make in seeking protection from the judiciary under the equal protection clause, this article explains why the active political participation of lesbians and gay men justifies judicial scrutiny of sexual orientation classifications. Full political participation is one of the Republic's highest goals, and lesbians and gay men demonstrate their capacity for full citizenship with their robust, effective political participation.