Louisiana Won't Get Rid of its Unconstitutional Sodomy Ban

SARA MORRISON

The Louisiana House of Representatives voted not to remove the state's sodomy ban today, even though it was declared unconstitutional by the U.S Supreme Court in 2003 and cannot be used to arrest people. The 66-27 vote was overwhelmingly against getting rid of the ban.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune explains that a conservative religious lobbying group led the charge to keep the "crime against nature" law -- which, again, isn't even a real law anymore -- on the books, sending letters to all members of the House saying the unenforceable law is somehow protecting young people from sexual predators and public health risks.

"Louisiana's anti-sodomy statute is consistent with the values of Louisiana residents who consider this behavior to be dangerous, unhealthy and immoral," the letter said, apparently not mentioning that the statute is not consistent with the Constitution and that the East Baton Rogue sheriff's department was forced to apologize for trying to use it to arrest gay men last year.

Rep. Valarie Hodges was the only person to speak against the repeal today, according to the AP, saying it was a "vote of conscience" and "we're not here to rubber-stamp the Supreme Court."

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http://www.thewire.com/national/2014/04/louisiana-wont-get-rid-of-its-unconstitutional-sodomy-ban/360727/