In the Bowers v. Hardwick case, the issue before the U.S. Supreme Court revolved around the constitutionality of Georgia's sodomy law, which criminalized homosexual acts. Michael Hardwick was discovered by police engaging in consensual homosexual activity in his home and subsequently charged under this statute. Challenging the law, Hardwick argued that it violated his constitutional rights under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which he believed encompassed a right to privacy in matters of sexual conduct. The case was closely contested, with the Supreme Court ultimately hearing the arguments in 1985.

On June 30, 1986, the Court delivered a 5-4 decision in favor of the state of Georgia, ruling that the Constitution did not confer a fundamental right upon homosexuals to engage in homosexual sodomy. The majority opinion, authored by Justice Byron White, stated that the historical condemnation of such acts justified the enforcement of the sodomy laws. Dissenting opinions expressed concerns about the ruling's implications for individual liberty and sexual privacy, emphasizing that it could lead to increased discrimination and social stigma against LGBTQ+ individuals. This ruling ignited significant public discourse and debates regarding civil rights and personal freedoms in the United States.

The ramifications of Bowers v. Hardwick extended far beyond the courtroom. It became a touchstone for future LGBTQ+ rights movements, galvanizing activists who sought to challenge discrimination and advocate for sexual orientation as a protected category under civil rights laws. Organizations emerged to provide legal support and educational campaigns aimed at changing public perception. Additionally, this case was cited in subsequent legal battles concerning LGBTQ+ issues, shaping the landscape for later decisions that would incrementally expand rights for gay individuals, culminating in landmark rulings such as Lawrence v. Texas in 2003, which ultimately overturned Bowers and decriminalized same-sex intimate conduct.