Bryant in Buffalo in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Bob Uplinger's Arrest
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 4, 2022
1. Bob Uplinger's Arrest Marker
Near this location on August 7, 1981, Bob Uplinger (1951-1988) was arrested by an undercover police officer posing as a gay man, and charged and convicted with loitering for the purpose of engaging in deviate sexual activity. After consensual sex between same-sex partners became legal in New York State in 1980, police began using loitering and solicitation laws to persecute LGBTQ people.
In 1983, represented by Buffalo attorney William H. Gardner, Uplinger won dismissal of his conviction when the NYS Court of Appeals declared this application of the loitering law unconstitutional. In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the Erie County District Attorney and the decision was upheld. This effectively struck down the last New York State law used to arrest gay people for consensual sex between adults, laying the groundwork for national legislation and securing future freedoms.
Erected 2021 by Buffalo-Niagara LGBTQ History Project.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is August 7, 1981.
Location. 42° 54.14′ N, 78° 52.496′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, New York, in Erie County. It is in Bryant. Marker is at the intersection of North Street and Irving Place, on the right
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Theodore Roosevelt (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Westminster Presbyterian Church (about 700 feet away); Guide Board Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Toni Sisti Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Temple Beth Zion (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Religious Body in Buffalo (approx. 0.4 miles away); Coit House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Adam House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.
Also see . . . Buffalo-Niagara LGBTQ History Project to install marker commemorating Bob Uplinger. (Submitted on May 8, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 4, 2022
2. Bob Uplinger's Arrest Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,010 times since then and 189 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 8, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
