Since the 1500's sodomy laws have been a part of British, then American culture. In the present day, the list of states that have overturned their decisions continues to grow, allowing gays to maintain the same privacy in the bedroom as heterosexuals.
History and Origin of Sodomy Laws
The reference to a homosexual as a sodomite was interpreted from the Bible story about the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Both Sodom and Gomorrah were examples of "impiety and wickedness" (Gen. 18:20; Rom. 9:29) and have been described as "ensample unto those that after should live ungodly" (2 Pet. 2:6; Jude 1:4-7). Throughout most of history, homosexual sex has been thought of as a sinful and ungodly act much in the same way, thus becoming known as sodomy.
Today, acts of sodomy include anal intercourse, oral sex and masturbation between partners of the same sex. In some states even consensual anal sex between heterosexual couples is prohibited.
Sodomy Laws in America
Laws against sodomy became a part of British law in the early 1500's during the reign of King Henry VIII and Britain's move away from the teachings of the Catholic church. Church doctrine was adopted into law and thus sodomy, as a part of it, was illegal and punishable by death. The original 13 American colonies later adopted the same laws as Britain, making sodomy illegal in the States. By the mid 1900's, sodomy was illegal in all of the states in America.
However, as laws moved away from religious doctrine, the punishment for sodomy was much less severe.
By the later half of the 1900's efforts began to reverse sodomy laws. However, progress was slowed due to religious activists and the AIDS crisis, which forced gay and lesbian organizations to focus on health. Gay organizations and activist groups feel that sexual relations between same sex partners is a private issue and should not be punishable by law and have stepped up efforts to repeal existing sodomy laws.
Current Events on Sodomy Laws
In June of 2003 the U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 vote declared sodomy laws unconstitutional, granting gays the right to privacy in the bedroom.
States that Prohibit Consensual Sex Between:
Only Same-Sex Partners (3): Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma
Different-Sex & Same-Sex Partners (9): Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia,
Free States (38): Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
History and Origin of Sodomy Laws
The reference to a homosexual as a sodomite was interpreted from the Bible story about the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Both Sodom and Gomorrah were examples of "impiety and wickedness" (Gen. 18:20; Rom. 9:29) and have been described as "ensample unto those that after should live ungodly" (2 Pet. 2:6; Jude 1:4-7). Throughout most of history, homosexual sex has been thought of as a sinful and ungodly act much in the same way, thus becoming known as sodomy.
Today, acts of sodomy include anal intercourse, oral sex and masturbation between partners of the same sex. In some states even consensual anal sex between heterosexual couples is prohibited.
Sodomy Laws in America
Laws against sodomy became a part of British law in the early 1500's during the reign of King Henry VIII and Britain's move away from the teachings of the Catholic church. Church doctrine was adopted into law and thus sodomy, as a part of it, was illegal and punishable by death. The original 13 American colonies later adopted the same laws as Britain, making sodomy illegal in the States. By the mid 1900's, sodomy was illegal in all of the states in America.
However, as laws moved away from religious doctrine, the punishment for sodomy was much less severe.
By the later half of the 1900's efforts began to reverse sodomy laws. However, progress was slowed due to religious activists and the AIDS crisis, which forced gay and lesbian organizations to focus on health. Gay organizations and activist groups feel that sexual relations between same sex partners is a private issue and should not be punishable by law and have stepped up efforts to repeal existing sodomy laws.
Current Events on Sodomy Laws
In June of 2003 the U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 vote declared sodomy laws unconstitutional, granting gays the right to privacy in the bedroom.
States that Prohibit Consensual Sex Between:
Only Same-Sex Partners (3): Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma
Different-Sex & Same-Sex Partners (9): Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia,
Free States (38): Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming