Current Version
| Region | Pennsylvania |
| Issue | Homosexual activity |
| Status | Male illegal, female legal |
| Start Date | Sep 15, 1786 |
| End Date | Jun 10, 1879 |
| Description | In 1786, the punishment for a person convicted of sodomy was lowered to the confiscation of estate and a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. People accused of sodomy were not given the possibility of bail, however. In 1806, the ability to be freed on bail became available to people convicted of sodomy. In 1829, the punishment for a first-time conviction of sodomy was lowered to 5 years imprisonment. For a second-time conviction, the penalty was up to 10 years imprisonment. Prisoners were to be kept in solitary confinement doing labor, were not to be allowed visitors, and only be fed coarse food. In 1860, the penalty was once again changed. This time, the punishment became worse: the punishment for a first-time conviction of sodomy jumped to 10 years imprisonment, solitary confinement with labor, and/or up to a $300 dollar fine. |
| Sources | https://www.glapn.org/sodomylaws/sensibilities/pennslvania.htm |
Revision History (2)
edited by Unknownmiles. Adding more information
Helpful?
1 | Old Value (Original) | New Value (Current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Illegal (imprisonment as punishment) | Male illegal, female legal |
| End Date | Mar 20, 1806 | Jun 10, 1879 |
| Description | In 1786, the punishment for a person convicted of sodomy was lowered to the confiscation of estate and a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. People accused of sodomy were not given the possibility of bail, however. In 1806, the ability to be freed on bail became available to people convicted of sodomy. | In 1786, the punishment for a person convicted of sodomy was lowered to the confiscation of estate and a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. People accused of sodomy were not given the possibility of bail, however. In 1806, the ability to be freed on bail became available to people convicted of sodomy. In 1829, the punishment for a first-time conviction of sodomy was lowered to 5 years imprisonment. For a second-time conviction, the penalty was up to 10 years imprisonment. Prisoners were to be kept in solitary confinement doing labor, were not to be allowed visitors, and only be fed coarse food. In 1860, the penalty was once again changed. This time, the punishment became worse: the punishment for a first-time conviction of sodomy jumped to 10 years imprisonment, solitary confinement with labor, and/or up to a $300 dollar fine. |
Show Difference | ||
created by Unknownmiles
Helpful?
1 | Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | Illegal (imprisonment as punishment) |
| Start Date | Sep 15, 1786 |
| End Date | Mar 20, 1806 |
| Description | In 1786, the punishment for a person convicted of sodomy was lowered to the confiscation of estate and a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. People accused of sodomy were not given the possibility of bail, however. In 1806, the ability to be freed on bail became available to people convicted of sodomy. |
| Sources | https://www.glapn.org/sodomylaws/sensibilities/pennslvania.htm |