knowhomo:

LBGTQ* Equality History You Should Know

Karen Thompson/Sharon Kowalski Case

On November 13, 1983, Sharon Kowalski was hit by a drunk driver. The accident left her as a quadriplegic with the mental understanding and capacity of a six year old. Following the accident, Kowalski’s parents prevented Karen Thompson, Kowalski’s lover/partner of four years, from having contact with her.

Sharon Thompson went on to take her case before the Minnesota Court of Appeals, fighting her way through biased testing and denied visitation, eventually becoming the guardian of her partner.

Kowalski and Thompson pictured above