Curious about sex laws
Dear La Princessa
'I am very curious about sex laws in the United States. I would like to know if oral and anal sex is still illegal, and if so in what states? And is it still called sodomy?'
— Curious
Dear Curious:
Very interesting question. I'm always one for researching arcane laws online. I dug around for a second (my girlfriend calls this 'asking the Interneck,' in case you were interested in her cuteness) and found a great Web site called 'sodomylaws.org' that contained the following information:
States where sodomy is illegal for all people (het. and gay): Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.
Here's where it's just illegal for queers: Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Furthermore, sodomy is defined as (according to the State of Texas ... and we do love to cite Texas ...)
1) 'Deviate sexual intercourse' means: A) any contact between any part of the genitals of one person and the mouth or anus of another person; or (B) the penetration of the genitals or the anus of another person with an object.
(2) 'Sexual contact' means any touching of the anus, breast, or any part of the genitals of another person with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
(3) 'Sexual intercourse' is defined as any penetration of the female sex organ by the male sex organ. A person commits an offense if he engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another individual of the same sex.
OK, and as if THAT wasn't enough, here are the punishments for sodomy in various states: Idaho (5 years to life), Oklahoma (20 years), Michigan (15 years), Mississippi (10 years), Puerto Rico (8 - 20 years), Louisiana (5 years/$2000), South Carolina (5 years/$500), North Carolina (3 years), Virginia (1-5 years), Alabama (1 year/$2000), Missouri (1 year/$1000), Kansas (6 months/$1000), Utah (6 months/$299), Florida (60 days/$500), and Texas ($500).
My personal favorite is Utah, where they couldn't even make the fine an even $300. What is up with Utah?
Love,
Your Devoted Research Assistant,
LaP
La Princessa is Chicago-based writer and performer JT Newman. When she is not busy running around like a chicken with her head chopped off, she is keeping her eyes peeled for talent for her show, Dyke Mic, which happens every Friday night at 10:30 at Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont.