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Compiled by GayToday
 Peter Tatchell |
London, England--"The government's sex offence reform proposals do not go far enough",
according to Peter Tatchell of the gay rights group OutRage!.
"All consenting, victimless sexual offences--homosexual and heterosexual -
should be abolished, including the criminalization of consensual adult
pornography and sadomasochism". |
"The law on the age of consent should take into account the fact that over
50 percent of young people have their first sexual experience before they
are 16. Consenting sex involving partners under 16 should not be prosecuted,
providing they are of similar ages and there is no evidence of pressure,
manipulation or exploitation".
"While the proposed repeal of Victorian-era laws that discriminate against
homosexuals is long overdue and most welcome, the Home Office
recommendations ignore two aspects of homophobic discrimination".
Gay Sex Still Classified as a 'Serious' Sex Crime
"Under the Criminal Justice Act 1991, most consensual gay offences are
defined as "serious" sex crimes on a par with rape, indecent assault and
child abuse. These victimless gay offences should be deleted from the 1991
Act".
Gay Sex Still Branded 'Child Abuse'
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"The Sex Offenders Act 1997 classifies consenting gay relationships
involving men in their late teens as child sex abuse, but the equivalent
heterosexual behavior is not even a crime".
"A 20 year old man who has consenting gay sex with a man aged 17 is
categorized as a pedophile and forced to sign the Sex Offenders Register.
In contrast, a 19 year old heterosexual man who has unlawful sexual
intercourse with a girl aged 13 does not have to sign the register. The Sex
Offenders Act needs urgent amendment to end its anti-gay bias".
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Related Sites:
OutRage! London
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