Last edited: April 14, 2007
Rhode Island
- Statute: Repealed 1998; 11-10-1, Crime Against Nature
- Penalty: 7-20 years
- Classification: Felony
- Restrictions: Doesn't apply to married couples.
Statute
11-10-1. Abominable and detestable crime against nature
Every person who shall be convicted of the abominable and detestable crime against nature, either with mankind or with any beast, shall be imprisoned not exceeding twenty (20) years nor less than seven (7) years.
History
1729Rhode Island痴 new sodomy law creates a statute of limitations of only ten days.
1798Rhode Island痴 new sodomy law eliminates the death penalty for a first offense, but retains it for a second. No other law in the U.S. had this feature.
1972The Rhode Island legislature enacts a unique law to permit compensation to anyone killed or injured as a result of specified crimes, including 鍍he crime against nature.?
Repeal bill
- H 7585 - Introduced January 28, 1998
This bill would repeal the "abominable and detestable acts" statute. Passed House, & Senate. Governor signed repeal.
- H 6160 - Introduced February 4, 1997
This bill would repeal the "abominable and detestable acts" statute. Died in committee
Legal
State v. Lopes, 1996 Summary
In this case in which a heterosexual man was charged with violating Rhode Island's sodomy statute, the ACLU of Rhode Island filed a friend of the court brief arguing that the sodomy law violated the state constitutional right to privacy. Citing an earlier decision, the court simply rejected the challenge and upheld the law. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case.State v. Quitevis, 1996
The ACLU of Rhode Island is handling an appeal for a person found guilty of "loitering for indecent purposes" at an adult video store after allegedly offering to perform oral sex for an undercover police officer. The trial court rejected the defendant's challenge to the constitutionality of the "loitering" ordinance. The defendant entered a nolo plea and the complaint was "filed" for one year.
News
- Rep. Edith H. Ajello the Raymond J. Pettine Civil Libertarian of the Year - Providence Journal, December 18, 2006
The Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union has named state Rep. Edith H. Ajello the Raymond J. Pettine Civil Libertarian of the Year for her legislative record on civil liberties issues.
During her 14 years in office, Ajello, D-Providence, has sponsored legislation that "repealed the state's outdated and discriminatory sodomy law, a bill requiring equity in contraceptive coverage by insurers, a bill making discrimination against transgender individuals illegal and legislation restricting police interrogations of students in public school settings," a General Assembly announcement said.- 糎hy Here?? - April 21, 2002
- Dangerous Liaison - April 16, 2002
- Mayor Cianci Names New Liaisons to Providence Community - February 28, 2002
- Media: A Double Standard on Misdemeanor Cases? - February 8-14, 2002
- Protest Surrounds Providence Journal Sex-Arrest Coverage - February 6, 2002
- Johnston Officials Defend 全ex-Act? Arrests of 7 Men - January 27, 2002
- Gay Business Comfortable in R.I. - June 25, 2001
- Rhode Island Legislator Comes Out - March 15, 2001
- Officials Say Being Openly Gay Isn’t a Detriment - November 21, 1999
- RI Gov. Almond Wins Re-election - November 11, 1998
- Tavares Touts Bank Experience - November 4, 1998
- State Senate repeals 1896 sodomy law - June 3, 1998
- RI Senate Passes Sodomy Repeal - June 3, 1998
- Senate gives OK to law ending state sodomy ban - June 3, 1998
- Senate votes to repeal abominable and detestable law - June 2, 1998
- Rhode Island Legislature Votes To Repeal Sodomy Law - June 2, 1998
- Repeal Approved By Senate Judiciary Panel - May 22, 1998
- Rhode Island Moves to End Sodomy Ban - May 10, 1998
- House votes to repeal law against sex acts - May 8, 1998
- House votes to repeal law banning 'abominable' sex - May 8, 1998
- RI law unconstitutional - April 25, 1998
- Letter: Excessive laws - April 22, 1998
- Letter: Ajello vs. Public Health - April 18, 1998
- Legislature drafts bill to repeal oral-sex law - February 24, 1998
- Bedroom eyes - October 23, 1997
- RI Anti-Sodomy Law Upheld - June 24, 1995
- 100-Year-Old Sodomy Law Deemed Constitutional - June 22, 1995
Editorials
- Praise for Cianci and New Liaisons - February 28, 2002
- Letter: Selective Photos - February 17, 2002
- The United Way Turns Ideologue - August 8, 2000
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