Pennsylvania House votes to remove “homosexuality” from state crimes code

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta speaking during a press conference with Gov. Tom Wolf
Photo: PA House of Reps.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to strike the word “homosexuality” from the definition of prohibited sexual acts in the state’s crimes code.

The Associated Press reports that the unanimous 198–0 vote was on H.B. 2125, aimed at removing references to homosexuality from the definitions of “sexual activity” and “sexual conduct” in sections of the code relating to prostitution and child pornography.

Related: The GOP nominee for Pennsylvania governor may be the worst candidate so far this year

A memo sent to House members last November by state Rep. Todd Stephens (R) and Rep. Paul Schemel (R) stated that the inclusion of the term “serves no purpose as homosexual acts, in and of themselves, do not constitute a criminal offense.”

“This bill provides a long overdue update to our crimes code to ensure nobody is prosecuted because of who they love,” Stephens said on Wednesday. “Eliminating this archaic language will also help promote a culture of acceptance and inclusion for our LGBTQ community across Pennsylvania.”

The bill will now make its way to the state senate, where it could face opposition from the likes of…

Read full story, and more, from Source: Pennsylvania House votes to remove “homosexuality” from state crimes code

Share

About Gay Today

Editor of Gay Today