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Old 27-08-2003, 17:45   #25
Charles Charles is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Age: 61
Posts: 310

Some comments on the US here. The US Supreme Court didn't make any laws to legalize sodomy (courts don't make law as such, but interpret it). It did rendered the existing state laws unenforcable in specific circumstances (private consensual sex). The usual state response is to rewrite the laws so they are in compliance with the US Supreme Court's decision. Laws can often be rewritten to have the same effect and be in compliance with the Supreme Court.

There is also a little gem known as the Mann Act which prohibits the transportation of women (or girls) across state lines for the purpose of prostitution or debauchery (immoral purposes). Since any sex can be considered debauchery, this applies to virtually everything. Note that it doesn't prohibit the transport of men (boys) accross state lines. The Mann Act also highlights an important facet of US law: states can make their own laws, but as soon as more than one state is involved, then the federal government has jurisdiction.

The US military allows gays in the military, but only if no-one knows he or she is gay. This is the brain dead "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The military can't ask if you are gay, but neither can you tell anyone you're gay. Once you're out of the closet, you're out of the military.
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