How a Dallas lesbian helped SCOTUS remind Texas to protect freedom

Don’t mess with Texas privacy

While slinging drinks in a Big D gay bar, a lesbian fought for the liberty to carry a bun in the oven — or not...

LESBIAN EMPLOYEE: Norma McCorvey — “Jane Roe.” [Photo: Annie Leibovitz.]

By DANIEL KUSNER

Born in Louisiana, Norma Nelson grew up in both Houston and Dallas.

By the age of 10, she bounced around delinquent-dependent group homes.

At 16, she married Elwood McCorvey.

Elwood divorced Norma before the birth of their first daughter, Melissa, who was “adopted” by Grandma Nelson — Norma’s mom. 

But in reality, Grandma Nelson took Melissa away from Norma, and Norma hardly ever got to see Melissa.

SUPREME TRAJECTORY: Austin lawyer Sarah Weddington details Norma’s path to Roe v Wade.

Norma’s second daughter, Jennifer, was adopted by a Dallas couple.

Both men and women dated Norma. And she struggled with substance abuse.

In 1969, Norma was 21 years old.

Reportedly employed at The White Carriage — a Big D lesbian bar in Oak Lawn — she got pregnant a third time.

Due to economic reasons, and unable to find an abortion provider, Norma carried her pregnancy to full-term.

On June 2, 1970, at Dallas Osteopathic Hospital on Ross Avenue, Norma delivered a third daughter known as “The Roe Baby.” 

Three days later, her child was given up for adoption.

STATES’ RIGHTS PROTECT 

THE PRIVACY TO CHOOSE 

In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled 7–2 in Norma McCorvey’s favor. 

Judges decided that the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides a “right to privacy,” which protects an individual’s right to choose whether to carry their pregnancy to full-term or not.