The U.S. Supreme Court's decision today in Romer v. Evans is a "revolutionary" decision that has widespread implications in the current political climate and poignant possibilities for lesbian mother custody cases.

 "The broadest impact of this decision is that it says the discriminatory measures religious and political extremists are pushing all over this country will not be tolerated, will not be upheld," said NOW Action Vice President Rosemary Dempsey, an attorney and out lesbian who won a precedent-setting child custody case.

 "We think this decision may also be useful in overruling the court's earlier decision in Bowers V. Hardwick and winning more lesbian custody cases," she said, "especially in states where attorneys have used anti-sodomy laws to claim lesbian mothers are criminals."

Justice Scalia's dissent is drawing strong criticism from NOW, the only women's rights group to testify against his confirmation.

 "Justice Scalia's dissent could have been written by Pat Buchanan," said Dempsey. "He seems to think all homosexuals are rich, powerful, white men. If anything, his opinion shows we need to make sure Bob Dole doesn't get an opportunity to appoint any more homophobic, right wing justices to the high court."

 NOW leaders say the majority's opinion was unexpectedly strong. "The court said protections for lesbians and gay men are not special rights, but rather guard against a special disability we face," said Dempsey. "The court says hatred can't be grounds for a deprivation of equal protection and, by inference, of any fundamental right."