Roberts v. United States Jaycees

Updated on Nov 29, 2023

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Citations 468 U.S. 609 (more) End date 1984		Concurrence O'Connor
Full case name Kathryn R. Roberts, Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, et al. v. United States Jaycees. Subsequent history 709 F.2d 1560, reversed and remanded Majority Brennan, joined by White, Marshall, Powell, Stevens; O'Connor (Parts I, III) Concurrence Rehnquist (in judgment only) Ruling court Supreme Court of the United States People also search for Hurley v. Irish-American Gay, Lesbian, & Bisexual Group of Boston

Roberts v. United States Jaycees, 468 U.S. 609 (1984), was an opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States overturning the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit's application of a Minnesota antidiscrimination law, which had permitted the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) to exclude women from full membership.

Majority opinion

In an opinion authored by Justice Brennan, the Court held:

Application of the Minnesota Human Rights Act to compel the Jaycees to accept women as regular members did not abridge either male members' freedom of intimate association or their freedom of expressive association.

The Act was not unconstitutionally vague and overbroad. Several features of the Jaycees, including its large size, unselective membership, and purpose, placed it outside the sphere of relationships protected by the First Amendment. The Court ruled that the State's compelling interest in combating gender discrimination justified the law's impact on the Jaycees' First Amendment rights.

Justice O'Connor wrote an opinion concurring with parts I and III of the Court's opinion and concurring in the judgment.

Justice Rehnquist concurred in the judgment without joining either opinion. Justices Burger and Blackmun took no part in deciding the case.

References

Roberts v. United States Jaycees Wikipedia

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