The love of law, and the law of love: Jonathan Cooper and LGBT human rights advocacy

Throughout his professional life, Jonathan Cooper was involved in important legal cases before the UK courts and the European Court of Human Rights that challenged discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. In this article, I examine three such cases in which Jonathan acted as an advocate, and one such case in which he intervened as a third party. These cases demonstrate key aspects of Jonathan's approach to human rights law as a means of expanding legal protections for LGBT people, and they offer important lessons for those who wish to continue his legacy of advocating for the human rights of LGBT people. More generally, Jonathan's work in these cases shows why it is vital to maintain a belief in human rights law as the basis for building societies in which LGBT people can live, and love, in freedom.