Sodomy Laws

Sodomy is defined as anal or oral intercourse between human beings or any sexual relations between a human being and an animal. Laws that make sodomy illegal, which have primarily focused on same-sex relations though not always, continue to be a serious human rights violation. In some parts of the world, these laws continue to result in jail time and even death sentences. This entry examines what sodomy laws actually are, the history of such laws, the continued application of sodomy laws in nations worldwide, and the factors that have been tied to their presence as well as the conditions under which such laws are typically repealed.

History of Sodomy Laws

While many laws against sodomy remain vague, antisodomy laws fundamentally seek to criminalize anal sex with ...

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