Impacts and Legacies
Impacts
Braschi v. Stahl significantly impacted the lives of LGBTQ+ citizens in New York and beyond. It helped change the attitudes of the judges and government officials and helped the public see LGBTQ+ couples in a new way, contributing to a positive shift in public opinion. Moreover, Braschi v. Stahl was an important precedent that helped many avoid losing their homes during the time of the AIDs Crisis.
Although most shifts in opinion was positive, many people back then, and today, still believe that LGBTQ+ relationships shouldn't be recognized or accepted in society.
Personal interview with Prof. William Rubenstein, February 23, 2025.
"It seems clear in hindsight that Braschi served as a catalyst for the series of incremental steps taken by both the state and city governments that expanded the forms of recognition of same-sex relationships."
--- Carlos A. Ball, Author of "From the Closet to the Courtroom: Five LGBT Rights Lawsuits That Have Changed Our Nation", 2010.
George J. Silver, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge, talking of the legacies of Braschi v. Stahl. (Courtesy of Historical Society of the New York Courts)
Legacies
Braschi v. Stahl Associates Co. was a significant factor in establishing many rights regarding relationships and legal bonds for the LGBTQ+ community. The ruling granted legal recognition to a same-sex relationship for the first time in United States history, creating impacts that are evident even today.
LGBTQ+ Rights Today
Although Braschi v. Stahl was an essential catalyst for the start of future ground-breaking lawsuits, it's important to remember that the fight is not over. We've come a long way from discrimination and prejudice, but especially today, many people in our country are trying to revoke the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
People celebrating Pride month (Courtesy of CNN)
Citizens protesting for the rights of transgender people at the supreme court (Courtesy of the New Yorker)
People of russia protesting for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. The sign reads: "I don't recognize the authority that keeps me from having a family" (Courtesy of France 24)
Braschi's case improved the lives of many in the modern day, and now it's our responsibility to protect the rights that all people deserve.
“It is revolutionary for any trans person to choose to be seen and visible in a world that tells us we should not exist.”
– Laverne Cox, American actress and LGBTQ+ activist
Modern Challenges
As of late in 2024-2025, many new acts and actions have been taken in order to attempt to slow the development of LGBTQ+ rights. For example, states all over America have started proposing new bills that change certain polls and government documents so there is no longer the option for genders other than female and male, and censor certain parts of the school's curriculum.
Protests against anit-trans bills. (Courtesy of Insight Into Diversity)