Press Contact(s):
Susan Lagana, 770/984-1998
FORNICATION...ADULTERY...CONSENSUAL SEX
(June 12, 1997, ATLANTA)
"As many of you who cover the state capitol know, I am a strong advocate of
limited government and believe that government has become too big and too intrusive. I
have often attacked government at all levels for imposing too many rules and regulations
on citizens and businesses - from motorcycle helmet laws to allowing local governments to
expand unchecked while state and federal governments are cutting back.
"Because I believe passionately in the rights of private property, I cannot stand
by any longer and watch our state government attack one of the most sacred property rights
any adult citizen possesses - the right to one's own private sexual conduct.
"In Georgia today, we are making criminals of the vast majority of adult citizens.
"At this time in this state, it is illegal for a middle-aged single man and a
middle-aged single woman to have a consensual sexual relationship. It is also illegal in
our state for a legally married adult couple to have sexual relations in ways other than
those the state deems acceptable. Do citizens really believe that the state should make
decisions for how a man and wife conduct themselves in their own bedroom? Likewise, it is
illegal for a man or woman who are separated, but not legally divorced, to have sexual
relations with anyone else.
"Is this really the state's concern?
"It isn't that these laws are out of date. The fact is, they have never been
consistent with the most basic rights of American citizens. They are examples of laws that
have more in common with Communist China or the theocracy of Iran than with the United
States of America. These laws violate the most basic tenets of a free society.
"These laws make hypocrites out of those who govern and criminals out of the
governed. They are unenforceable and undermine respect for the law. We have far greater
problems of crime, drugs and violence for our courts and police to focus on.
"For these reasons and others, I am today announcing that I will introduce in the
next legislative session, legislation to repeal Georgia statutes
16-6-18 (fornication) and 16-6-19 (adultery), and that section of 16-6-2 that relates to
consensual relations between adults.
"The repeal of these statutes would leave it to the moral judgment of adults to
determine what type of sexual relationships they wish to have with other consenting
adults."
AFFECTED PORTIONS OF GEORGIA'S CODE
16-6-2
(a) A person commits the offense of sodomy when he or she performs or submits to any
sexual act involving the sex organs of one person and the mouth or anus of another.
(b) A person convicted of the offense of sodomy shall be punished by imprisonment for
not less than one nor more than 20 years.
16-6-18
An unmarried person commits the offense of fornication when he voluntarily has sexual
intercourse with another person and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as for a
misdemeanor.
16-6-19
A married person commits the offense of adultery when he voluntarily has sexual
intercourse with a person other than his spouse and, upon conviction thereof, shall be
punished as for a misdemeanor.
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Senator Steve Langford ... PO Box 3044, 1000 Longley Place Ste. B,
LaGrange, GA 30240 USA
