Dear zoospore-ga;
Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting
question.
Generally speaking, any contact between the genitals of one person,
and the mouth or anus of another the acts that are commonly considered
sodomy, but this is not necessarily ALL THE ACTS that comprise sodomy
in the eyes of some conservative circles and is not necessarily
considered sodomy at all by some liberal circles. Another school of
thought shared by some circles in more recent years is that these acts
may indeed be considered sodomy, but there's nothing illegal about
them (but that's another topic altogether, isn't it?).
By official definition, in terms of language anyway, the act of sodomy
is explained by the some recognized sources this way:
“Any of various forms of sexual intercourse held to be unnatural or
abnormal, especially anal intercourse or bestiality” [are considered
sodomy]
DICTIONARY.COM – SODOMY
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?db=*&q=SODOMY
“Copulation with a member of the same sex or with an animal.
Non-coital and especially anal or oral copulation with a member of the
opposite sex” [are considered sodomy]
MERRIAM-WEBSTERS DICTIONARY – SODOMY
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
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A very informative article that specifically addresses the question
“What is sodomy?” appears here:
WHAT IS SODOMY?
By Brendan I. Koerner
http://slate.msn.com/id/2075271/
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Legally speaking however, the definition of sodomy differs greatly
depending on the jurisdiction you happen to be referring to. Some
states for example do not call the act(s) "sodomy", per se, but by a
variety of other names:
Arizona (and others): "Crime Against Nature"
Alabama: "Sexual Misconduct"
District of Columbia: "Sexual Psychopaths"
Florida: "Unnatural & Lascivious Act"
Massachusetts: "Sodomy & Buggery"
Maryland: "Unnatural or Perverted Sexual Practices"
Mississippi: "Unnatural Intercourse"
Montana: "Deviate Sexual Conduct"
Texas: "Homosexual Conduct"
Wisconsin: "Sexual Perversion"
SODOMY: WHAT IS IT?
http://www.gaylib.com/text/clas12.htm
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Here is how the various United States that still have sodomy statutes
define the act(s):
ALABAMA
http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/alabama/alabama.htm
Sexual misconduct.
(a) A person commits the crime of sexual misconduct if:
Being a male, he engages in sexual intercourse with a female without
her consent, under circumstances other than those covered by Sections
13A-6-61 and 13A-6-62; or with her consent where consent was obtained
by the use of any fraud or artifice; or
Being a female, she engages in sexual intercourse with a male without
his consent; or
He or she engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person
under circumstances other than those covered by Sections 13A-6-63 and
13A-6-64. Consent is no defense to a prosecution under this
subdivision.
(b) Sexual misconduct is a Class A misdemeanor.
(Acts 1977, No. 607, p. 812, §2318.)
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LOUISIANA
http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/louisiana/louisiana.htm
A. Crime against nature is:
(1) The unnatural carnal copulation by a human being with another of
the same or opposite sex or with an animal, except that anal sexual
intercourse between two human beings shall not be deemed as a crime
against nature when done under any of the circumstances described in
R.S. 14:41, 14:42, 14:42.1 or 14:43. Emission is not necessary; and,
when committed by a human being with another, the use of the genital
organ of one of the offenders of whatever sex is sufficient to
constitute the crime.
(2) The solicitation by a human being of another with intent to engage
in any unnatural carnal copulation for compensation.
B. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined for
not more than two thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without
hard labor, for not more than five years, or both.
Amended by Acts 1975, No. 612,§ 1; Acts 1982, No. 703,§ 1.
R.S. 14:41, 14:42, 14:42.1 and 14:43 and deal with rape and sexual
battery.
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MASSACHUSETTS
http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/massachusetts/massachusetts.htm
Statute: 272-34, Crime Against Nature
Penalty: 20 years
Classification: Felony
Restrictions: Applies only to anal intercourse.
Statute: 272-35, Unnatural and Lascivious Acts
Penalty: 5 years/$100-$1000
Classification: Felony
Restrictions: Applies only to oral sex.
GENERAL LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS
Chapter 272: Section 34. Crime against nature.
Section 34. Whoever commits the abominable and detestable crime
against nature, either with mankind or with a beast, shall be punished
by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than twenty years.
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MINNESOTA
http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/minnesota/minnesota.htm
609.293 Sodomy
Subdivision 1. Definition. "Sodomy" means carnally knowing any person
by the anus or by or with the mouth.
Subd. 2. Repealed, 1977 c 130 s 10
Subd. 3. Repealed, 1977 c 130 s 10
Subd. 4. Repealed, 1977 c 130 s 10
Subd. 5. Consensual acts. Whoever, in cases not coming within the
provisions of sections 609.342 or 609.344, voluntarily engages in or
submits to an act of sodomy with another may be sentenced to
imprisonment for not more than one year or to payment of a fine of not
more than $3,000, or both.
HIST: 1967 c 507 s 4; 1977 c 130 s 4; 1984 c 628 art 3 s 11
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MISSOURI
http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/missouri/missouri.htm
566.090, Sexual misconduct, first degree, penalties
1. A person commits the crime of sexual misconduct in the first degree
if he has deviate sexual intercourse with another person of the same
sex or he purposely subjects another person to sexual contact or
engages in conduct which would constitute sexual contact except that
the touching occurs through the clothing without that person's
consent.
2. Sexual misconduct in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor
unless the actor has previously been convicted of an offense under
this chapter or unless in the course thereof the actor displays a
deadly weapon in a threatening manner or the offense is committed as a
part of a ritual or ceremony, in which case it is a class D felony.
(L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1994 S.B. 693)
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SOUTH CAROLINA
http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/south_carolina/south_carolina.htm
Section 16-15-120. Buggery.
Whoever shall commit the abominable crime of buggery [anal
intercourse], whether with mankind or with beast, shall, on
conviction, be guilty of felony and shall be imprisoned in the
Penitentiary for five years or shall pay a fine of not less than five
hundred dollars, or both, at the discretion of the court.
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VIRGINIA
http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/virginia/virginia.htm
§ 18.2-361 Crimes against nature
A. If any person carnally knows in any manner any brute animal, or
carnally knows any male or female person by the anus or by or with the
mouth, or voluntarily submits to such carnal knowledge, he or she
shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony, except as provided in subsection
B.
B. Any person who carnally knows by the anus or by or with the mouth
his daughter or granddaughter, son or grandson, brother or sister, or
father or mother shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony. However, if a
parent or grandparent commits any such act with his child or
grandchild and such child or grandchild is at least thirteen but less
than eighteen years of age at the time of the offense, such parent or
grandparent shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony.
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UTAH
http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/utah/utah.htm
76-5-403. Sodomy, Forcible sodomy
(1) A person commits sodomy when the actor engages in any sexual act
with a person who is 14 years of age or older involving the genitals
of one person and mouth or anus of another person, regardless of the
sex of either participant.
(2) A person commits forcible sodomy when the actor commits sodomy
upon another without the other's consent.
(3) Sodomy is a class B misdemeanor. Forcible sodomy is a felony of
the first degree.
Amended by Chapter 88, 1983 General Session
1997 Reform bill to decriminalize sodomy between spouses - failed.
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These remaining US States and Territories repealed their former sodomy
statues and/or otherwise ruled them unconstitutional:
Illinois (1962)
Connecticut (1971)
Colorado (1972)
Oregon (1972)
Delaware (1973)
Hawaii (1973)
Ohio (1974)
North Dakota (1975)
New Hampshire (1975)
New Mexico (1975)
California (1976)
Maine (1976)
Washington (1976)
West Virginia (1976)
Indiana (1977)
South Dakota (1977)
Vermont (1977)
Wyoming (1977)
Nebraska (1978)
Iowa (1978)
New Jersey (1979)
Alaska (1980)
Wisconsin (1983)
Nevada (1993)
District of Columbia (1993)
Rhode Island (1998)
Arizona (2001)
American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
Virgin Islands
SODOMY LAW - USA LAWS
http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/usa.htm
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You can see what much of the rest of the world calls sodomy my
following this link and reading the various references therein:
SODOMY LAWS - WORLD
http://www.sodomylaws.org/world/world.htm
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Below you will find that I have carefully defined my search strategy
for you in the event that you need to search for more information. By
following the same type of searches that I did you may be able to
enhance the research I have provided even further. I hope you find
that that my research exceeds your expectations. If you have any
questions about my research please post a clarification request prior
to rating the answer. Otherwise, I welcome your rating and your final
comments and I look forward to working with you again in the near
future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga
INFORMATION SOURCES
WHAT IS SODOMY?
http://slate.msn.com/id/2075271/
DICTIONARY.COM – SODOMY
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?db=*&q=SODOMY
MERRIAM-WEBSTERS DICTIONARY – SODOMY
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
SODOMY LAW - USA LAWS
http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/usa.htm
SODOMY LAWS - WORLD
http://www.sodomylaws.org/world/world.htm
SEARCH STRATEGY
SEARCH ENGINE USED:
Google ://www.google.com
SEARCH TERMS USED:
SODOMY
SODOMY LAWS
“WHAT IS SODOMY” |
