BACKWARD US STATE LAWMAKERS RETAIN GAY SEX BAN LAW

Despite anti-sodomy laws being invalid in the US, lawmakers in the state of Louisiana refused on Tuesday to remove its ban on sodomy from the law books.

Under pressure from powerful Christian lobby group the Louisiana Family Forum, the majority of the House of Representatives voted against repealing the outdated and unenforceable law (66 against and 27 for), reported The Times-Picayune.

“Louisiana’s anti-sodomy statute is consistent with the values of Louisiana residents who consider this behaviour to be dangerous, unhealthy and immoral,” said the Louisiana Family Forum in a letter sent to lawmakers before the vote.

In 2003, the US Supreme Court declared all anti-sodomy laws unconstitutional but 17 states have still not repealed their laws.

Last year, officers in Louisiana’s East Baton Rouge Parish arrested a number of men in an undercover operation using the anti-sodomy law.

The district attorney refused to pursue the matter and the parish sheriff was forced to apologise for the arrests.

According to The Wire, the House of Representatives is also expected to soon consider a bill that would declare The Bible Louisiana’s official state book and another that will address the legality of so-called “chicken boxing” (a kind of cock-fighting).

In 2004, 78% of Louisiana voters approved a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages and civil unions.