State and federal statutes, executive orders, legal opinions, and court decisions have shaped the lives of queer Virginians. In addition to prohibiting sexual acts, state and federal law has determined queer Virginians' rights to express their gender, marry, become parents, and seek legal remedies against discrimination.
Researching queer legal history can be challenging. Locating and interpreting sources requires familiarity with historical terminology and attitudes related to gender and sexuality. Gender and sexuality intersected with other social and legal categories, such as race, class, and enslaved status.
Below are resources for researching queer legal history at the Library, with an emphasis on Virginia statutory and case law.