ACLU applauds Supreme Court decision to deny review of anti-sodomy law

Rebecca Glenberg, Legal Director of the ACLU of Virginia, released a statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today not to review the Fourth Circuit’s ruling striking down Virginia’s sodomy statute.

“We are pleased that the Supreme Court has decided not to review the Fourth Circuit’s ruling striking down Virginia’s sodomy statute. The Supreme Court decided ten years ago, in Lawrence v. Texas, that statutes prohibiting private, consensual sex between adults are unconstitutional.

“AfterLawrence, the General Assembly should have repealed Virginia’s unconstitutional law and replaced it with laws designed to prohibit adults from seeking to engage in or solicit sex with children.  Instead, the General Assembly kept this unconstitutional, overbroad statute in place.

“We are glad that the Supreme Court has finally put to rest the question of the constitutionality of Virginia’s sodomy law.  We look forward to working with the General Assembly to ensure that this unenforceable law is repealed and replaced with rational and fair laws that will both protect our children and ensure the rights of consenting adults.”