This course will explore the role of the law in shaping thesocial meaning of heterosexuality and of lesbian, gay, and bisexual identitiesin a number of contexts, including employment, family relationships, education,immigration, the military, and marriage.  The course will examine bothstate and federal law, as well as providing historical context for the currentdebates about gay rights.  There will be an emphasis on constitutionaldoctrines, including equal protection, due process/privacy, and freedom ofspeech and association, as well as how the law affects the lives of gay peopleand the practicalities of gay rights litigation.