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The Houston GLBT Community Center hosts the Lawrence v. Texas Celebration - an event to mark the fifth anniversary of the 2003 Supreme Court decision in the landmark Lawrence case - on Thursday, June 26th, at the Bering & James Art Gallery, located at 805 Rhode Place, #500. The 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. event, which is open to the public, will include a potluck supper.

The historic ruling Lawrence v. Texas overturned anti-gay sodomy laws in Texas and across the nation. When the decision was announced, Lambda Legal - the national gay-rights organization whose attorneys argued the case before the high court - called Lawrence “a legal victory so decisive that it would change the entire landscape for the LGBT community.”

“The Community Center is honored to once again present the Lawrence v. Texas Celebration,” says Christopher Bown, president of the nonprofit organization. “The decision five years ago at last recognized that gay, lesbian, and transgender Americans, like all Americans, are entitled to full respect and equal claim to all constitutional rights. We believe that is something worth celebrating.”

Special guests at the event will include John Lawrence, one of the two petitioners in the case. He was arrested at his apartment on September 17, 1998, for engaging in consensual sex and charged with breaking the Texas Homosexual Conduct Law, which banned sex between two people of the same gender.

Also in attendance will be Mitchell Katine, who was the personal attorney for Lawrence and co-petitioner Tyrone Garner (1967-2006), and Ben Leal of the Lambda Legal South Central Region office.

State Representative Garnet Coleman has announced plans to attend, along with representatives of Houston Mayor Bill White and State Representative Ellen Cohen.

During the event, the Community Center will also acknowledge Garner, who died on September 11, 2006, at the age of 39.

The Community Center will also officially announce the establishment of a fund in Lawrence's and Garner's names, which will award scholarships to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students pursuing higher education who have also demonstrated a dedication to community service. The Community Center intends to award the first John Lawrence and Tyrone Garner Scholarship in 2009.

The Houston GLBT Community Center is home base for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and allies in the metropolitan area and southeast Texas. Currently located at 3400 Montrose Boulevard, Suite 207, the Center plans to move to a new location - at 401 Branard - later this summer.

The Lawrence v. Texas celebration is open to the public, and attendees are asked to bring a covered dish and serving utensils for their dish. There is no admission charge, but donations the scholarship fund are welcomed. For more information, visit www.HoustonGLBTCommunityCenter.org or call (713) 524-3818.