Dusting the Books
Arizona House Votes to Repeal Adultery, Sodomy Laws
Frontiers,
April 30, 1999
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The Arizona state House voted April 22 to repeal laws against adultery, cohabitation
and sodomy, which members called "archaic and silly." The same day, they also
voted to extend the protection of domestic violence laws to people of the same-sex who
live together. The votes were a victory for the two openly gay state representatives,
Republican Steve May and Democrat Ken Cheuvront, who sponsored the amendments. Moderate
Republicans joined Democrats in supporting both measures. "It’s a great day for
freedom in Arizona," May said.
May’s celebration could be short-lived, however. The bill (SB1396) – a larger
measure including several changes to Arizona’s criminal laws – will likely go to
a joint House-Senate panel to work out differences between the two versions of the
measure.
That committee is likely to be dominated by social conservatives who oppose the new
provisions.
May sponsored an amendment that would repeal state laws against adultery, cohabitation,
"infamous crimes against nature" and "lewd and lascivious acts."
Cheuvront said the latter two laws outlaw "basically any form of sex except
intercourse in the missionary position."
All four laws are misdemeanors and haven’t been enforced for 30 years, Cheuvront
said.
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