Date: Thu, 03 Jul 97 18:58:30 EST From: "NGLTF" Subject: Montana Strikes Down Sodomy Law NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director mfjohnson@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3314 pager 1-800/757-6476 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org .............................................................. MONTANA SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN STATE'S SODOMY LAW Washington, DC---July 3, 1997-- Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered activists in Montana yesterday celebrated a victory when the state Supreme Court unanimously struck down the state's sodomy law by ruling that sexual activity between consenting adults of the same-gender would no longer be illegal. The victory was nearly a quarter-century in the making. In the case of Grayczan v. Montana, six gay and lesbian plaintiffs charged that the sodomy law violated their right to privacy which is guaranteed in the state's Constitution. "Quite simply consenting adults expect that neither the state nor their neighbors will be cohabitants in their bedrooms," said Justice James Nelson writing for the court. Montana gay and lesbian activists worked hard to show that the law was unfair and denied them their guaranteed right to privacy. It was among the most severe of all the nation's sodomy laws because it prohibited same-gender "sexual contact"--not just the customary ban on anal and oral intercourse. Violators of the law could have faced up to ten years in prison and a maximum $50,000 in fines. Five states and the District of Columbia have now decriminalized sodomy. While four other states have sodomy repeal measures alive, 28 states continue to have same-gender sodomy laws which make it illegal for some Americans to love whom they choose to love. Although the U.S. Supreme Court found no constitutional right to privacy for same-gender conduct, the 1986 Bowers v. Hardwick decision permitted each state to decriminalize same-gender sodomy. "Sodomy laws are the linchpin in every attack against the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community. They are used to criminalize our behavior and as the basis for discrimination in employment, housing, health care and family issues. We applaud the court for its decision but salute the tireless work of Montana activists that made yesterday's victory possible," said National Gay and Lesbian Task Force executive director Kerry Lobel. For more reaction from Montana gay and lesbian activists to the state Supreme Court's decision, contact Sandy Hale at Pride! at (406) 442-9322 or pride123@aol.com. -30- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level since its inception in 1973. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. ===================================== Date: Mon, 07 Jul 97 18:44:31 EST From: "NGLTF" Subject: CORRECTION: Sodomy Law Repeal NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE - CORRECTION Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director mfjohnson@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3314 pager 1-800/757-6476 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org .............................................................. This is a correction of a press release dated July 3, 1997 titled "Montana Supreme Court Strikes down State's Sodomy Law," which contained an inaccuracy. In the press release we say that 28 states continue to have same-gender sodomy laws. The correct number of states with sodomy laws that criminalize same-gender sodomy is 20. Those states are as follows: Massachusetts Rhode Island Maryland Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Georgia Florida Alabama Mississippi Louisiana Arkansas Missouri Oklahoma Kansas Michigan Minnesota Arizona Utah Idaho By our count, currently no state has a sodomy repeal measure alive. For a graphic representation of the foregoing list, please visit our website at http://www.ngltf.org. Mark F. Johnson Media Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force mfjohnson@ngltf.org _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .