2003 Tranniversary: Ken
The Supreme Court of the US struck down all remaining US sodomy laws in Lawrence v. Texas. Ruled by a vote of 6-3 that a Kansas law criminalizing gay or lesbian sex was unconstitutional declaring the importance of constitutional liberty and privacy consistent with the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. It also overturned the court decision in Bowers v. Hardwick (1986) stating that the court had made the wrong decision. California banned gender identity discrimination in the private sector. New Mexico banned discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the private sector. Governor Bill Richardson signed the New Mexico Hate Crimes Act that established enhanced penalties for hate crimes, including anti-gay hate crimes. The US Census Bureau released figures showed that 99.3% of US counties had households headed by same-sex couples. It also showed that 34.3% of lesbian couples and 22.3 % of gay male couples were raising children. Michael Stark and Michael Leshner were wed in Ontario, becoming the first legal same-sex marriage in Canada. The province of Ontario appeals court ruled that civil same-sex marriages would be recognized as valid by the government, making Canada the first country in the Americas to honor legal same-sex marriage.
In the news, California governor Gray Davis was ousted in a recall vote; actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected in his place. The Space shuttle Columbia exploded during reentry over Texas, killing all 7 astronauts. President George W. Bush signed a ten-year, $350-billion tax cut package, the third-largest tax cut in U.S. history. In one of the most important rulings on the issue of affirmative action in twenty-five years, the Supreme Court decisively upheld the right of affirmative action in higher education.
In February, millions of people worldwide took part in massive anti-war protests in anticipation of the Iraq War.[5]The US and allied forces invaded Iraq on March 20th and deposed President Saddam Hussein. Hussein was captured in December in the small town of Ad-Dawr by the U.S. Army. Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić was assassinated in Belgrade by a sniper.[9]The World Health Organization issued a global alert on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) when it spread after originating in Mainland China.
The animated film, “Finding Nemo” was the top grossing film of 2003. Several sequels were released this year. The final installment of Lord of the Rings, “The Return of the King”, “The “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Black Pearl” and “The Matrix Reloaded” came out. Nicole Kidman won the Oscar for best actress for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in the movie, “The Hours”. Adrien Brody won best actor for his performance in “The Pianist”. “Chicago”, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere, won best picture.
Top grossing actors of the year were Nicole Kidman, Michelle Rodriguez, Ian McKellen, Ben Affleck and Keanu Reeves. 50 Cent’s “In da Club” was Billboard’s top song in 2003. Other top hits included Beyonce and Jay-Z’s “Crazy in Love”, Sean Paul’s “Get Busy” and “When I’m Gone” by 3 Doors Down.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders to win the NFL Super Bowl. The Florida Marlins took the World Series over the New York Yankees. In the WNBA, the Detroit Shock beat the LA Sparks and became the WNBA Champions. Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France which was later rescinded when it was discovered that Armstrong was found guilty of doping. Michelle Kwan was the women’s world figure skating champion.