CHICAGO, February 26, 2024 – Lambda Legal and the LGBTQ+ community are in mourning following the passing of Patricia ‘Pat’ Logue, a former Cook County Circuit Judge and a pioneering force in LGBTQ+ rights litigation. Logue, whose legal battles have paved the way for significant advancements in LGBTQ+ rights, worked with Lambda Legal for 14 years, including as the founding managing attorney of its Chicago office in 1993. Her groundbreaking work includes landmark cases such as Nabozny v. Podlesny, which for the first time held schools accountable for protecting students from anti-gay harassment, and the historic Lawrence v. Texas, which struck down sodomy laws across the United States.
Trailblazer in the Legal World
Logue’s career was marked by her unwavering commitment to justice and equality. In Nabozny v. Podlesny, she fought for Jamie Nabozny, a gay high school student subjected to brutal bullying. Winning a nearly $1 million jury award and an upheld appeal, this case set a nationwide precedent for school responsibility in protecting LGBTQ students. Furthermore, Logue played a critical role in the legal team that achieved victory in Lawrence v. Texas, effectively dismantling sodomy laws that criminalized same-sex relations, representing a monumental win for LGBTQ+ rights.
Legacy of Victory and Love
Aside from her professional achievements, Logue’s personal life was a testament to the milestones she helped achieve for the LGBTQ+ community. She and her wife, Marcia Festen, were among the many same-sex couples she officiated marriages for, celebrating the very rights she fought to secure. Lambda Legal’s statement highlighted her transformative impact, not only on landmark legal victories but also on the lives of individual LGBTQ+ people and their families across the country. Logue’s work ensured that children of LGBTQ+ parents are legally recognized, fostering countless families built on love and equality.
Remembering a Giant
Pat Logue’s legacy is immeasurable, leaving behind a nation transformed by her courage, intellect, and compassion. Lambda Legal and the broader LGBTQ+ community celebrate her life and contributions, recognizing her as a giant in the fight for equality. As preparations for a memorial service in Chicago this June are underway, her family encourages donations to Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund or the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund in her honor. Patricia ‘Pat’ Logue’s passing is a profound loss, but her spirit and achievements continue to inspire and guide the path toward justice and equality for all.
