The Kentucky State Supreme Court yesterday ruled that the Sodomy law that the
state had had on the books since the late 1800's was unconsitutional.  In a 
close 4-3 vote, the high court ruled that because the Sodomy Law was exclusive
to same sex partners only and prevented consenting sex in a private home, that
the law was unconsitutional against the Kentucky State Constitution.

The case was brought on by Commonwealth vs. Wasson, a 1985 court case where a
Lexington man engaged in a 20 to 25 minute conversion with an undercover police
officer.  After the conversion the man invited the cop back to his home for
sex.  There was no mention of money, nor was there any indication that the sex
would be performed in public.  Wasson was arrested anyway, charged with
Sodomy.  Two Fayette County judges proclaimed the charges unconsitutional and
the case was taken to the Supreme Court for ruling.  There is no chance that
the case could go to the US Supreme Court because the case involved the state
constitution only.

Supporters of gay-rights believe that this could be the essential stepping stone
to gay-right legislation in Kentucky.  Anti-gay supporters believe that this
is also a victory for them to introduce new legislation similar to Oregon 
Proposition 9.

Source:  Courier-Journal

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Dave Jansing                     | "What we call the beginning is often the end
Electrical Engineering Department|  And to make an end is to make a beginning.
University of Louisville         |  The end is where we start from . . ."
                                 |  -- T.S. Eliot, "Four Quartets"
              Internet:  edjans01@starbase.spd.louisville.edu
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DISCLAIMER:	The opinions expressed here are strictly my own and do not
		necessarily reflect those of the Department of Electrical
		Engineering or any other department within the University
		of Louisville.