Lexington in Fayette County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Jeffrey Wasson

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 14, 2019

1. Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Jeffrey Wasson Marker

Inscription.
At this site in the fall of 1985, undercover police operations targeted gay men. Nineteen were charged with violating Kentucky's sodomy law, which carried a penalty of up to 12 months in jail, a $500 fine or both. Only Jeffrey Allen Wasson challenged the statute.

After a long legal battle the Kentucky Supreme Court nullified the anti-sodomy statute in 1992. The Court ruled that Kentucky's Constitution guarantees the right to privacy and equal protection to private, consensual and adult same-sex relationships.

Erected 2018 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways; sponsored by Just Fund Education Project, Inc. (Marker Number 2545.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Law Enforcement • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1985.

Location. 38° 2.599′ N, 84° 29.707′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Kentucky, in Fayette County. Marker is at the intersection of Water Street and Quality Street, on the left when traveling north on Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Water Street, Lexington KY 40507, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker. Wolf Wile Department Store Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beck House (about 400 feet away); Historic LGBTQ Site (about 400 feet away); Fairness Ordinance (about 600 feet away); Living Faith (about 700 feet away); Site of Masons Hall (about 800 feet away); Central Christian Church (about 800 feet away); Birthplace of Grand Lodge of Kentucky, Free and Accepted Masons (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Nearby location of the 1985 sodomy charge against Jeffrey Wasson.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the court case Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Jeffery Wasson. (Submitted on July 20, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Additional keywords. LGBT, LGBTQ, 🏳️‍🌈

Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Jeffrey Wasson Marker (reverse) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 14, 2019

2. Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Jeffrey Wasson Marker (reverse)

View from marker towards downtown Lexington. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 14, 2019

3. View from marker towards downtown Lexington.

View towards Quality and Vine Streets. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 14, 2019

4. View towards Quality and Vine Streets.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on August 13, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 20, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.