Puerto Rico Asked to Enforce Antigay Law
The Advocate,
May 21, 2002
http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?id=4351&sd=05/21/02
A conservative Christian group on Monday urged Puerto Rico’s government
to enforce a law against consensual gay sex on the Caribbean island. Though
seldom enforced, Article 103 of the U.S. territory’s penal code outlaws sex
between adults of the same sex. If it were followed, violators technically
could face imprisonment of six to 12 years.
The Pentecostal Brotherhood of Puerto Rico made its plea during a news
conference in support of the position of house president Carlos Vizcarrondo,
who said recently that there isn’t enough support in the legislature to
amend the law, which was first adopted in 1902. "We completely agree that
the law against this type of people should be fully exercised," said the
Rev. Miguel Alverio, a Pentecostal minister and lawyer. He said the group’s
position is based on "ethical principles" and "moral
values." He said the Pentecostal Brotherhood would protest if necessary
to oppose homosexuality and any attempt to amend the law.
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