Entry #11538: Homosexual activity in United States

Current Version

Region	United States
Issue	Homosexual activity
Status	Varies by Region
Start Date	Jan 1, 1962
End Date	Jun 26, 2003
Description	From January 1, 1962 until June 26, 2003, 36 states, the District of Columbia and 45 counties in Missouri had fully decriminalized consensual adult sodomy in private in the United States of America. D = decriminalization PD = partial decriminalization R = recriminalization * July 5, 2002 — Arkansas — D, again * February 21, 2002 — Massachusetts — D * July 1, 2001 — Arizona — D * May 15, 2001 — Minnesota — D * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — D, for the following counties only: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Bates, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Nodaway, Pettis, Platte, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Saline, Schuyler, Sullivan, Vernon, and Worth * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — D * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — D * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — PD, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — D * July 2, 1997 — Montana — D * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — D * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — D * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — D * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — R, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — D * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — PD, Wayne County only * August 26, 1985 — Texas — R * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — D * August 17, 1982 — Texas — D * December 20, 1980 — New York — D * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — D * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — D * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — D * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — D * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — R * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — D * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — D * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — D * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — D * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — D * July 1, 1976 — Washington — D * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — D * May 1, 1976 — Maine — D * January 1, 1976 — California — D * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — D * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — D * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — D * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — D * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — PD, “unnatural and lascivious acts” statute only * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — D * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — D * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — D * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — D * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — R * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — D * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — D * December 17, 1971 — Florida — PD, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — D * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — D
Sources	https://www.aclu.org/documents/getting-rid-sodomy-laws-history-and-strategy-led-lawrence-decision https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1971/40758-0.html https://law.justia.com/cases/massachusetts/supreme-court/1974/366-mass-298-2.html https://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/supreme-court/1977/75-n-j-200-0.html https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1980/490-pa-91-0.html https://history.nycourts.gov/garfinkel_resources/people-v-onofre/ https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/supreme-court/1982/c-9875.html https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/769/289/197692/ https://law.justia.com/cases/kentucky/supreme-court/1992/90-sc-558-tg-1.html https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/tn-supreme-court/1008363.html https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/laws/10-14 https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Legal/LawLibrary/Statutes/67th/Stats199303.html https://law.justia.com/cases/montana/supreme-court/1997/62e03f29-9ca9-4c6f-a44a-bb080b09714c.html https://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText98/SenateText98/S2044A.htm https://law.justia.com/cases/maryland/court-of-appeals/1998/107a97-1.html https://law.justia.com/cases/georgia/supreme-court/1998/s98a0246-1.html https://law.justia.com/cases/maryland/court-of-appeals/1999/109a98-1.html https://law.justia.com/cases/missouri/court-of-appeals/1999/wd55180-2.html https://law.justia.com/cases/minnesota/court-of-appeals/2001/c001005.html https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/45leg/1r/laws/0382.htm https://law.justia.com/cases/arkansas/supreme-court/2002/01-815.html

Revision History (15)

11 days ago

edited by gengeros. massachuetts 2002

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value (Current)
Description	By the eve of Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, 36 states and D.C. had fully decriminalized consensual adult sodomy, with several partial, local, or reversed decriminalizations remaining before nationwide decriminalization. * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — decriminalized * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — decriminalized * December 17, 1971 — Florida — partially decriminalized, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — decriminalized * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — decriminalized * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — recriminalized * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — decriminalized * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — decriminalized * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — decriminalized * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — decriminalized * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — decriminalized * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — California — decriminalized * May 1, 1976 — Maine — decriminalized * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — decriminalized * July 1, 1976 — Washington — decriminalized * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — decriminalized * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — decriminalized * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — decriminalized * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — recriminalized * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — decriminalized * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — decriminalized * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — decriminalized * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — decriminalized * December 20, 1980 — New York — decriminalized * August 17, 1982 — Texas — decriminalized * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — decriminalized * August 26, 1985 — Texas — recriminalized * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — partially decriminalized, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — decriminalized * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — recriminalized, Wayne County only * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — decriminalized * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — decriminalized * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — decriminalized * July 2, 1997 — Montana — decriminalized * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — decriminalized * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — partially decriminalized, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — decriminalized * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — decriminalized the remaining “sodomy” statute * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — partially decriminalized in the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District only * May 15, 2001 — Minnesota — decriminalized * July 1, 2001 — Arizona — decriminalized * July 5, 2002 — Arkansas — decriminalized again	From January 1, 1962 until June 26, 2003, 36 states, the District of Columbia and 45 counties in Missouri had fully decriminalized consensual adult sodomy in private in the United States of America. D = decriminalization PD = partial decriminalization R = recriminalization * July 5, 2002 — Arkansas — D, again * February 21, 2002 — Massachusetts — D * July 1, 2001 — Arizona — D * May 15, 2001 — Minnesota — D * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — D, for the following counties only: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Bates, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Nodaway, Pettis, Platte, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Saline, Schuyler, Sullivan, Vernon, and Worth * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — D * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — D * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — PD, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — D * July 2, 1997 — Montana — D * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — D * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — D * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — D * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — R, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — D * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — PD, Wayne County only * August 26, 1985 — Texas — R * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — D * August 17, 1982 — Texas — D * December 20, 1980 — New York — D * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — D * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — D * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — D * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — D * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — R * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — D * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — D * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — D * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — D * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — D * July 1, 1976 — Washington — D * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — D * May 1, 1976 — Maine — D * January 1, 1976 — California — D * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — D * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — D * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — D * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — D * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — PD, “unnatural and lascivious acts” statute only * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — D * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — D * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — D * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — D * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — R * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — D * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — D * December 17, 1971 — Florida — PD, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — D * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — D
Description	Show Difference By the eve of Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, 36 states and D.C. had fully decriminalized consensual adult sodomy, with several partial, local, or reversed decriminalizations remaining before nationwide decriminalization. * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — decriminalized * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — decriminalized * December 17, 1971 — Florida — partially decriminalized, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — decriminalized * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — decriminalized * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — recriminalized * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — decriminalized * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — decriminalized * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — decriminalized * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — decriminalized * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — decriminalized * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — California — decriminalized * May 1, 1976 — Maine — decriminalized * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — decriminalized * July 1, 1976 — Washington — decriminalized * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — decriminalized * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — decriminalized * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — decriminalized * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — recriminalized * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — decriminalized * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — decriminalized * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — decriminalized * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — decriminalized * December 20, 1980 — New York — decriminalized * August 17, 1982 — Texas — decriminalized * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — decriminalized * August 26, 1985 — Texas — recriminalized * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — partially decriminalized, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — decriminalized * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — recriminalized, Wayne County only * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — decriminalized * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — decriminalized * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — decriminalized * July 2, 1997 — Montana — decriminalized * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — decriminalized * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — partially decriminalized, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — decriminalized * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — decriminalized the remaining “sodomy” statute * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — partially decriminalized in the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District only * May 15, 2001 — Minnesota — decriminalized * July 1, 2001 — Arizona — decriminalized * July 5, 2002 — Arkansas — decriminalized again From January 1, 1962 until June 26, 2003, 36 states, the District of Columbia and 45 counties in Missouri had fully decriminalized consensual adult sodomy in private in the United States of America. D = decriminalization PD = partial decriminalization R = recriminalization * July 5, 2002 — Arkansas — D, again * February 21, 2002 — Massachusetts — D * July 1, 2001 — Arizona — D * May 15, 2001 — Minnesota — D * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — D, for the following counties only: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Bates, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Caldwell, Callaway, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Nodaway, Pettis, Platte, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Saline, Schuyler, Sullivan, Vernon, and Worth * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — D * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — D * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — PD, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — D * July 2, 1997 — Montana — D * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — D * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — D * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — D * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — R, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — D * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — PD, Wayne County only * August 26, 1985 — Texas — R * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — D * August 17, 1982 — Texas — D * December 20, 1980 — New York — D * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — D * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — D * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — D * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — D * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — R * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — D * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — D * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — D * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — D * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — D * July 1, 1976 — Washington — D * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — D * May 1, 1976 — Maine — D * January 1, 1976 — California — D * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — D * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — D * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — D * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — D * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — PD, “unnatural and lascivious acts” statute only * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — D * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — D * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — D * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — D * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — R * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — D * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — D * December 17, 1971 — Florida — PD, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — D * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — D

3 weeks ago

edited by gengeros. in the Missouri Court

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	By the eve of Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, 36 states and D.C. had fully decriminalized consensual adult sodomy, with several partial, local, or reversed decriminalizations remaining before nationwide decriminalization. * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — decriminalized * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — decriminalized * December 17, 1971 — Florida — partially decriminalized, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — decriminalized * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — decriminalized * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — recriminalized * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — decriminalized * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — decriminalized * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — decriminalized * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — decriminalized * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — decriminalized * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — California — decriminalized * May 1, 1976 — Maine — decriminalized * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — decriminalized * July 1, 1976 — Washington — decriminalized * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — decriminalized * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — decriminalized * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — decriminalized * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — recriminalized * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — decriminalized * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — decriminalized * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — decriminalized * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — decriminalized * December 20, 1980 — New York — decriminalized * August 17, 1982 — Texas — decriminalized * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — decriminalized * August 26, 1985 — Texas — recriminalized * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — partially decriminalized, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — decriminalized * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — recriminalized, Wayne County only * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — decriminalized * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — decriminalized * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — decriminalized * July 2, 1997 — Montana — decriminalized * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — decriminalized * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — partially decriminalized, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — decriminalized * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — decriminalized the remaining “sodomy” statute * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — partially decriminalized in Missouri Court of Appeals Western District only * May 15, 2001 — Minnesota — decriminalized * July 1, 2001 — Arizona — decriminalized * July 5, 2002 — Arkansas — decriminalized again	By the eve of Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, 36 states and D.C. had fully decriminalized consensual adult sodomy, with several partial, local, or reversed decriminalizations remaining before nationwide decriminalization. * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — decriminalized * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — decriminalized * December 17, 1971 — Florida — partially decriminalized, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — decriminalized * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — decriminalized * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — recriminalized * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — decriminalized * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — decriminalized * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — decriminalized * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — decriminalized * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — decriminalized * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — California — decriminalized * May 1, 1976 — Maine — decriminalized * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — decriminalized * July 1, 1976 — Washington — decriminalized * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — decriminalized * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — decriminalized * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — decriminalized * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — recriminalized * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — decriminalized * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — decriminalized * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — decriminalized * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — decriminalized * December 20, 1980 — New York — decriminalized * August 17, 1982 — Texas — decriminalized * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — decriminalized * August 26, 1985 — Texas — recriminalized * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — partially decriminalized, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — decriminalized * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — recriminalized, Wayne County only * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — decriminalized * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — decriminalized * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — decriminalized * July 2, 1997 — Montana — decriminalized * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — decriminalized * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — partially decriminalized, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — decriminalized * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — decriminalized the remaining “sodomy” statute * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — partially decriminalized in the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District only * May 15, 2001 — Minnesota — decriminalized * July 1, 2001 — Arizona — decriminalized * July 5, 2002 — Arkansas — decriminalized again
Description	Show Difference By the eve of Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, 36 states and D.C. had fully decriminalized consensual adult sodomy, with several partial, local, or reversed decriminalizations remaining before nationwide decriminalization. * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — decriminalized * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — decriminalized * December 17, 1971 — Florida — partially decriminalized, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — decriminalized * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — decriminalized * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — recriminalized * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — decriminalized * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — decriminalized * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — decriminalized * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — decriminalized * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — decriminalized * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — California — decriminalized * May 1, 1976 — Maine — decriminalized * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — decriminalized * July 1, 1976 — Washington — decriminalized * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — decriminalized * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — decriminalized * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — decriminalized * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — recriminalized * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — decriminalized * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — decriminalized * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — decriminalized * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — decriminalized * December 20, 1980 — New York — decriminalized * August 17, 1982 — Texas — decriminalized * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — decriminalized * August 26, 1985 — Texas — recriminalized * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — partially decriminalized, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — decriminalized * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — recriminalized, Wayne County only * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — decriminalized * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — decriminalized * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — decriminalized * July 2, 1997 — Montana — decriminalized * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — decriminalized * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — partially decriminalized, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — decriminalized * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — decriminalized the remaining “sodomy” statute * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — partially decriminalized in Missouri Court of Appeals Western District only * May 15, 2001 — Minnesota — decriminalized * July 1, 2001 — Arizona — decriminalized * July 5, 2002 — Arkansas — decriminalized again the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District only * May 15, 2001 — Minnesota — decriminalized * July 1, 2001 — Arizona — decriminalized * July 5, 2002 — Arkansas — decriminalized again

3 weeks ago

edited by gengeros. fixed text, cut off

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	From January 1, 1962, when Illinois became the first U.S. state to decriminalize consensual adult sodomy, to the eve of Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, 36 states and the District of Columbia had fully decriminalized it, while Florida had only partially decriminalized one statute, Missouri had decriminalized it only within the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District, Michigan had a temporary Wayne County-only decriminalization that was later recriminalized, and Idaho and Texas had earlier decriminalizations followed by recriminalization, before the Supreme Court completed nationwide decriminalization. * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — decriminalized * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — decriminalized * December 17, 1971 — Florida — partially decriminalized, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — decriminalized * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — decriminalized * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — recriminalized * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — decriminalized * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — decriminalized * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — decriminalized * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — decriminalized * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — decriminalized * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — California — decriminalized * May 1, 1976 — Maine — decriminalized * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — decriminalized * July 1, 1976 — Washington — decriminalized * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — decriminalized * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — decriminalized * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — decriminalized * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — recriminalized * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — decriminalized * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — decriminalized * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — decriminalized * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — decriminalized * December 20, 1980 — New York — decriminalized * August 17, 1982 — Texas — decriminalized * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — decriminalized * August 26, 1985 — Texas — recriminalized * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — partially decriminalized, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — decriminalized * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — recriminalized, Wayne County only * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — decriminalized * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — decriminalized * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — decriminalized * July 2, 1997 — Montana — decriminalized * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — decriminalized * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — partially decriminalized, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — decriminalized * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — decriminalized the remaining “sodomy” statute * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — partially decriminalized in the following counties within the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District: Adair, Andrew, Atchison,	By the eve of Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, 36 states and D.C. had fully decriminalized consensual adult sodomy, with several partial, local, or reversed decriminalizations remaining before nationwide decriminalization. * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — decriminalized * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — decriminalized * December 17, 1971 — Florida — partially decriminalized, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — decriminalized * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — decriminalized * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — recriminalized * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — decriminalized * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — decriminalized * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — decriminalized * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — decriminalized * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — decriminalized * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — California — decriminalized * May 1, 1976 — Maine — decriminalized * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — decriminalized * July 1, 1976 — Washington — decriminalized * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — decriminalized * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — decriminalized * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — decriminalized * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — recriminalized * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — decriminalized * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — decriminalized * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — decriminalized * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — decriminalized * December 20, 1980 — New York — decriminalized * August 17, 1982 — Texas — decriminalized * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — decriminalized * August 26, 1985 — Texas — recriminalized * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — partially decriminalized, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — decriminalized * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — recriminalized, Wayne County only * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — decriminalized * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — decriminalized * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — decriminalized * July 2, 1997 — Montana — decriminalized * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — decriminalized * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — partially decriminalized, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — decriminalized * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — decriminalized the remaining “sodomy” statute * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — partially decriminalized in Missouri Court of Appeals Western District only * May 15, 2001 — Minnesota — decriminalized * July 1, 2001 — Arizona — decriminalized * July 5, 2002 — Arkansas — decriminalized again
Description	Show Difference From January 1, 1962, when Illinois became the first U.S. state to decriminalize consensual adult sodomy, to the eve of Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, 36 states and the District of Columbia had fully decriminalized it, while Florida had only partially decriminalized one statute, Missouri had decriminalized it only within the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District, Michigan had a temporary Wayne County-only decriminalization that was later recriminalized, and Idaho and Texas had earlier decriminalizations followed by recriminalization, before the Supreme Court completed nationwide decriminalization. * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — decriminalized * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — decriminalized * December 17, 1971 — Florida — partially decriminalized, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — decriminalized * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — decriminalized * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — recriminalized * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — decriminalized * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — decriminalized * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — decriminalized * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — decriminalized * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — decriminalized * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — California — decriminalized * May 1, 1976 — Maine — decriminalized * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — decriminalized * July 1, 1976 — Washington — decriminalized * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — decriminalized * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — decriminalized * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — decriminalized * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — recriminalized * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — decriminalized * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — decriminalized * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — decriminalized * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — decriminalized * December 20, 1980 — New York — decriminalized * August 17, 1982 — Texas — decriminalized * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — decriminalized * August 26, 1985 — Texas — recriminalized * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — partially decriminalized, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — decriminalized * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — recriminalized, Wayne County only * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — decriminalized * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — decriminalized * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — decriminalized * July 2, 1997 — Montana — decriminalized * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — decriminalized * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — partially decriminalized, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — decriminalized * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — decriminalized the remaining “sodomy” statute * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — partially decriminalized in the following counties within the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, By the eve of Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, 36 states and D.C. had fully decriminalized consensual adult sodomy, with several partial, local, or reversed decriminalizations remaining before nationwide decriminalization. * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — decriminalized * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — decriminalized * December 17, 1971 — Florida — partially decriminalized, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — decriminalized * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — decriminalized * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — recriminalized * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — decriminalized * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — decriminalized * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — decriminalized * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — decriminalized * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — decriminalized * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — California — decriminalized * May 1, 1976 — Maine — decriminalized * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — decriminalized * July 1, 1976 — Washington — decriminalized * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — decriminalized * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — decriminalized * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — decriminalized * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — recriminalized * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — decriminalized * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — decriminalized * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — decriminalized * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — decriminalized * December 20, 1980 — New York — decriminalized * August 17, 1982 — Texas — decriminalized * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — decriminalized * August 26, 1985 — Texas — recriminalized * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — partially decriminalized, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — decriminalized * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — recriminalized, Wayne County only * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — decriminalized * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — decriminalized * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — decriminalized * July 2, 1997 — Montana — decriminalized * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — decriminalized * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — partially decriminalized, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — decriminalized * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — decriminalized the remaining “sodomy” statute * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — partially decriminalized in Missouri Court of Appeals Western District only * May 15, 2001 — Minnesota — decriminalized * July 1, 2001 — Arizona — decriminalized * July 5, 2002 — Arkansas — decriminalized again

3 weeks ago

edited by gengeros. Helped with dates and which states

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	(unknown)	Jan 1, 1962
End Date	Jun 25, 2003	Jun 26, 2003
Description	Before Lawrence v. Texas, a majority of states had already decriminalized homosexuality. The first state was Illinois in 1962, and an additional 36 states and Washington, D.C. followed suit before it was federally decriminalized in 2003.	From January 1, 1962, when Illinois became the first U.S. state to decriminalize consensual adult sodomy, to the eve of Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, 36 states and the District of Columbia had fully decriminalized it, while Florida had only partially decriminalized one statute, Missouri had decriminalized it only within the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District, Michigan had a temporary Wayne County-only decriminalization that was later recriminalized, and Idaho and Texas had earlier decriminalizations followed by recriminalization, before the Supreme Court completed nationwide decriminalization. * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — decriminalized * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — decriminalized * December 17, 1971 — Florida — partially decriminalized, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — decriminalized * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — decriminalized * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — recriminalized * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — decriminalized * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — decriminalized * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — decriminalized * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — decriminalized * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — decriminalized * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — California — decriminalized * May 1, 1976 — Maine — decriminalized * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — decriminalized * July 1, 1976 — Washington — decriminalized * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — decriminalized * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — decriminalized * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — decriminalized * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — recriminalized * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — decriminalized * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — decriminalized * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — decriminalized * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — decriminalized * December 20, 1980 — New York — decriminalized * August 17, 1982 — Texas — decriminalized * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — decriminalized * August 26, 1985 — Texas — recriminalized * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — partially decriminalized, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — decriminalized * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — recriminalized, Wayne County only * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — decriminalized * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — decriminalized * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — decriminalized * July 2, 1997 — Montana — decriminalized * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — decriminalized * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — partially decriminalized, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — decriminalized * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — decriminalized the remaining “sodomy” statute * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — partially decriminalized in the following counties within the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District: Adair, Andrew, Atchison,
Description	Show Difference Before Lawrence v. Texas, a majority of states had already decriminalized homosexuality. The first state was Illinois in 1962, and an additional 36 states and Washington, D.C. followed suit before it was federally decriminalized in 2003. From January 1, 1962, when Illinois became the first U.S. state to decriminalize consensual adult sodomy, to the eve of Lawrence v. Texas on June 26, 2003, 36 states and the District of Columbia had fully decriminalized it, while Florida had only partially decriminalized one statute, Missouri had decriminalized it only within the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District, Michigan had a temporary Wayne County-only decriminalization that was later recriminalized, and Idaho and Texas had earlier decriminalizations followed by recriminalization, before the Supreme Court completed nationwide decriminalization. * January 1, 1962 — Illinois — decriminalized * October 1, 1971 — Connecticut — decriminalized * December 17, 1971 — Florida — partially decriminalized, “abominable and detestable crime against nature” statute only * January 1, 1972 — Idaho — decriminalized * January 1, 1972 — Oregon — decriminalized * April 1, 1972 — Idaho — recriminalized * July 1, 1972 — Colorado — decriminalized * January 1, 1973 — Hawaii — decriminalized * July 1, 1973 — Delaware — decriminalized * January 1, 1974 — Ohio — decriminalized * November 1, 1974 — Massachusetts — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — New Mexico — decriminalized * July 1, 1975 — North Dakota — decriminalized * August 6, 1975 — New Hampshire — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — Arkansas — decriminalized * January 1, 1976 — California — decriminalized * May 1, 1976 — Maine — decriminalized * June 11, 1976 — West Virginia — decriminalized * July 1, 1976 — Washington — decriminalized * April 1, 1977 — South Dakota — decriminalized * May 27, 1977 — Wyoming — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Indiana — decriminalized * July 1, 1977 — Vermont — decriminalized * January 1, 1978 — Iowa — decriminalized * March 28, 1978 — Arkansas — recriminalized * July 1, 1978 — Nebraska — decriminalized * September 1, 1979 — New Jersey — decriminalized * January 1, 1980 — Alaska — decriminalized * May 30, 1980 — Pennsylvania — decriminalized * December 20, 1980 — New York — decriminalized * August 17, 1982 — Texas — decriminalized * May 11, 1983 — Wisconsin — decriminalized * August 26, 1985 — Texas — recriminalized * July 9, 1990 — Michigan — partially decriminalized, Wayne County only * September 24, 1992 — Kentucky — decriminalized * December 29, 1992 — Michigan — recriminalized, Wayne County only * March 24, 1993 — Tennessee — decriminalized * September 14, 1993 — District of Columbia — decriminalized * October 1, 1993 — Nevada — decriminalized * July 2, 1997 — Montana — decriminalized * June 5, 1998 — Rhode Island — decriminalized * October 15, 1998 — Maryland — partially decriminalized, “unnatural or perverted sexual practice” statute only * November 23, 1998 — Georgia — decriminalized * January 19, 1999 — Maryland — decriminalized the remaining “sodomy” statute * June 29, 1999 — Missouri — partially decriminalized in the following counties within the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District: Adair, Andrew, Atchison,
Sources	https://exhibits.gerberhart.org/exhibits/show/chicago-lgbtq-history-1924-197/sodomy https://web.uncg.edu/dcl/courses/vicecrime/m5/part1.asp	https://www.aclu.org/documents/getting-rid-sodomy-laws-history-and-strategy-led-lawrence-decision https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1971/40758-0.html https://law.justia.com/cases/massachusetts/supreme-court/1974/366-mass-298-2.html https://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/supreme-court/1977/75-n-j-200-0.html https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1980/490-pa-91-0.html https://history.nycourts.gov/garfinkel_resources/people-v-onofre/ https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/supreme-court/1982/c-9875.html https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/769/289/197692/ https://law.justia.com/cases/kentucky/supreme-court/1992/90-sc-558-tg-1.html https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/tn-supreme-court/1008363.html https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/laws/10-14 https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Legal/LawLibrary/Statutes/67th/Stats199303.html https://law.justia.com/cases/montana/supreme-court/1997/62e03f29-9ca9-4c6f-a44a-bb080b09714c.html https://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText98/SenateText98/S2044A.htm https://law.justia.com/cases/maryland/court-of-appeals/1998/107a97-1.html https://law.justia.com/cases/georgia/supreme-court/1998/s98a0246-1.html https://law.justia.com/cases/maryland/court-of-appeals/1999/109a98-1.html https://law.justia.com/cases/missouri/court-of-appeals/1999/wd55180-2.html https://law.justia.com/cases/minnesota/court-of-appeals/2001/c001005.html https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/45leg/1r/laws/0382.htm https://law.justia.com/cases/arkansas/supreme-court/2002/01-815.html
Sources	Show Difference https://exhibits.gerberhart.org/exhibits/show/chicago-lgbtq-history-1924-197/sodomy https://web.uncg.edu/dcl/courses/vicecrime/m5/part1.asp https://www.aclu.org/documents/getting-rid-sodomy-laws-history-and-strategy-led-lawrence-decision https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1971/40758-0.html https://law.justia.com/cases/massachusetts/supreme-court/1974/366-mass-298-2.html https://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/supreme-court/1977/75-n-j-200-0.html https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1980/490-pa-91-0.html https://history.nycourts.gov/garfinkel_resources/people-v-onofre/ https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/supreme-court/1982/c-9875.html https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/769/289/197692/ https://law.justia.com/cases/kentucky/supreme-court/1992/90-sc-558-tg-1.html https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/tn-supreme-court/1008363.html https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/laws/10-14 https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Legal/LawLibrary/Statutes/67th/Stats199303.html https://law.justia.com/cases/montana/supreme-court/1997/62e03f29-9ca9-4c6f-a44a-bb080b09714c.html https://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText98/SenateText98/S2044A.htm https://law.justia.com/cases/maryland/court-of-appeals/1998/107a97-1.html https://law.justia.com/cases/georgia/supreme-court/1998/s98a0246-1.html https://law.justia.com/cases/maryland/court-of-appeals/1999/109a98-1.html https://law.justia.com/cases/missouri/court-of-appeals/1999/wd55180-2.html https://law.justia.com/cases/minnesota/court-of-appeals/2001/c001005.html https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/45leg/1r/laws/0382.htm https://law.justia.com/cases/arkansas/supreme-court/2002/01-815.html

Apr 11, 2026

edited by DaisyGeekyTrans. Reverting to revision #61313: Like Nigeria, there were still varied punishments.

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	Jan 1, 1962	(unknown)

Apr 10, 2026

edited by geo833. illinois was the first state to legalize it, doing so on january 1st, 1962

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	(unknown)	Jan 1, 1962

Sep 19, 2025

edited by UnknownMiles. Reverting to revision #58955:

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	Jan 1, 1962	(unknown)

Sep 19, 2025

edited by supaishibi. Added start date to prevent overlap between entries

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	(unknown)	Jan 1, 1962

Jun 28, 2025

edited by UnknownMiles. making entry flow better

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Before Lawrence v. Texas, a majority of states had already decriminalized homosexuality. The first state was Illinois in 1962, with an additional 36 states and Washington, D.C. following suit before it was federally decriminalized in 2003.	Before Lawrence v. Texas, a majority of states had already decriminalized homosexuality. The first state was Illinois in 1962, and an additional 36 states and Washington, D.C. followed suit before it was federally decriminalized in 2003.
Description	Show Difference Before Lawrence v. Texas, a majority of states had already decriminalized homosexuality. The first state was Illinois in 1962, with an additional 36 states and Washington, D.C. following suit before it was federally decriminalized in 2003. an additional 36 states and Washington, D.C. followed suit before it was federally decriminalized in 2003.

Jun 28, 2025

edited by UnknownMiles. Adding more information and a source. Also switching the start date back to unknown since the punishments varied before 1962 anway.

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	Jan 1, 1962	(unknown)
Description	Before Lawrence v. Texas, some states had already decriminalized sodomy. The first state was Illinois in 1962.	Before Lawrence v. Texas, a majority of states had already decriminalized homosexuality. The first state was Illinois in 1962, with an additional 36 states and Washington, D.C. following suit before it was federally decriminalized in 2003.
Description	Show Difference Before Lawrence v. Texas, some states had already decriminalized sodomy. The first state was Illinois in 1962. a majority of states had already decriminalized homosexuality. The first state was Illinois in 1962, with an additional 36 states and Washington, D.C. following suit before it was federally decriminalized in 2003.
Sources	https://exhibits.gerberhart.org/exhibits/show/chicago-lgbtq-history-1924-197/sodomy	https://exhibits.gerberhart.org/exhibits/show/chicago-lgbtq-history-1924-197/sodomy https://web.uncg.edu/dcl/courses/vicecrime/m5/part1.asp
Sources	Show Difference https://exhibits.gerberhart.org/exhibits/show/chicago-lgbtq-history-1924-197/sodomy https://exhibits.gerberhart.org/exhibits/show/chicago-lgbtq-history-1924-197/sodomy https://web.uncg.edu/dcl/courses/vicecrime/m5/part1.asp

May 6, 2025

edited by UnknownMiles. Making start date and replacing link

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	(unknown)	Jan 1, 1962
Sources	https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lawrence-v-Texas/Aftermath	https://exhibits.gerberhart.org/exhibits/show/chicago-lgbtq-history-1924-197/sodomy
Sources	Show Difference https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lawrence-v-Texas/Aftermath https://exhibits.gerberhart.org/exhibits/show/chicago-lgbtq-history-1924-197/sodomy

Apr 14, 2025

edited by jadeywadey. no start date needed

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Start Date	Jan 1, 1962	(unknown)

Apr 10, 2025

edited by jadeywadey. fixed a minor date clash

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Jun 26, 2003	Jun 25, 2003

Mar 8, 2024

edited by UnknownMiles. Small date tweak. I changed the date to the exact day that Illinois decriminalized it.

Helpful?

	Old Value (Original)	New Value
Special Status	(REMOVED)	Varies by Region

Reports (1)
Other "[REMOVED]"
May 16, 2024

May 22, 2022

created by Hearts4Al

Helpful?

	Original entry
Status
Start Date	1962
End Date	Jun 26, 2003
Description	Before Lawrence v. Texas, some states had already decriminalized sodomy. The first state was Illinois in 1962.
Sources	https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lawrence-v-Texas/Aftermath