Dupont Circle ANC Testimony for Sodomy Law Reform
DUPONT CIRCLE
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 2B
1526 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-1104
Telephone: (202) 332-9263 Fax: (202) 387-3226
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 2B
TESTIMONY FAVORING REPEAL OF THE DISTRICT'S ANTI-SODOMY STATUTE
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY, COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
by ANC 2B01 Commissioner Larry Ray on
behalf of Dupont Circle ANC 2B
Good morning, I am Larry Ray, ANC 2B 01 Commissioner. I am testifying on behalf of the
entire Dupont Circle ANC 2B Commission consisting of Chair Dennis Bass, and Commissioners
Jay Pagano, Martha Shannon, Pam Taylor, Dennis Holmes, and Russell Gamble.
We strongly urge this Committee to report a bill repealing the District's anti-sodomy
statute (22 D.C. Code 3502). This archaic law is an infringement on the constitutional
right to privacy of every resident of the District of Columbia. We are urging that
the Council, which has been vigilant to protect other civil rights, to repeal this blatant
invasion of the privacy rights of individuals.
The existence of this statute on the lawbooks of the District is also a symbol of
repression against a large segment of our population, and serves as a symbol as powerful
and repugnant as apartheid laws are. Last year, it became more than a symbol when the
police arbitrarily employed it against adults engaged in consensual sexual activity in
several areas of the city, including Dupont Circle.
We thank you for your efforts and urge the Committee to
report out a repeal bill as soon as possible.
Once again, we urge you to do what should have been accomplished many years ago, to
repeal this archaic law. Thank you.
file: anc-1-14
Larry E. Ray
1825 T St. N.W. #404
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 483-0241
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