FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION

freedom of association.The right to join with others in a common undertaking that would be

lawful if pursued individually. • This right is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S.

Constitution. The government may not prohibit outsiders from joining an association, but the

insiders do not necessarily have a right to exclude others. Cf. RIGHT OF ASSEMBLY. [Cases:

Constitutional Law 91. C.J.S. Constitutional Law §§ 461–462, 466, 612–629.]

freedom of expressive association.The constitutional right of an individual to associate with

others, without undue government interference, for the purpose of engaging in activities protected

by the First Amendment, such as speech, assembly, and the exercise of religion.

freedom of intimate association.The constitutional right of privacy to form and preserve

certain intimate human relationships without intrusion by the state because the relationships

safeguard individual freedom. • The group relationships protected by the right to freedom of

intimate association are familial in nature and are characterized by deep attachments, a high

degree of commitment, and the sharing of distinctly personal aspects of life. The exclusion of

others is an essential characteristic of these relationships.[Blacks Law 8th]