Move to Repeal Montana Sodomy Law
365Gay.com Newscenter,
January 30, 2003
Helena, Montana—State Rep. Tom Facey, D-Missoula,
is asking his fellow lawmakers to remove from the state’s code the statute
that criminalizes consensual gay sex.
The Montana Supreme Court in 1997 overturned the state’s sodomy law based
on the state’s constitutional right to privacy, but Montana has not removed
the statute from its books.
Facey said he’s not asking legislators to approve of " gay and
lesbian lifestyles, but to confirm the privacy rights of all state
residents."
"This bill is simple," said Karl Olson, director of PRIDE in
Helena, a gay rights organization. "This bill is about walking the talk.
It’s about the constitution."
Church groups have begun mounting pressure to retain the law.
Julie Millam, director of the Montana Family Coalition, said she believes
the Supreme Court ruling was made in error and "will be overturned for
its capriciousness."
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