State Rep. Patricia Smith, who wants to repeal parts of a Louisiana law that prohibits consensual oral and anal sex, said the only opposition she is receiving comes from those who do not support gay rights.
In July 2013, an East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy used Louisiana’s anti-sodomy law to arrest a man after propositioning him for sex in a sting operation, despite the fact that such laws were deemed unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court a decade ago.
Smith, who represents LSU in Louisiana’s 67th Congressional District, described her legislation as a “cleanup bill” which would remove an unconstitutional law and enable law enforcement to work more efficiently.
She said both the District Attorney’s office and the Sheriff’s office support her efforts.
Smith said she is receiving opposition from Gene Mills, president of the Louisiana Family Forum, a non-profit organization which, according to its website, is “committed to defending faith, freedom and the traditional family in the great state of Louisiana.”
Smith said Mills is opposing her legislation because he does not support gay rights.
When reached for comment, Louisiana Family Forum replied with a news release with a link to an article purporting the “negative health effects of homosexuality.”
The article, published by the Family Research Council, claimed “instability and promiscuity typically characterize homosexual relationships,” and that homosexual and lesbian relationships are “far more violent” than heterosexual marriages.
Kathryn Saichuk, health promotion coordinator for the University Student Health Center, said, after reading the article, she was concerned by some of the outdated terminology used.
“Unprotected anal sex puts you at risk, regardless of sexual orientation,” Saichuk said.
Theatre freshman Alexander Adams said he supported Smith’s legislation, calling the current law “redundant” due to the Supreme Court’s ruling.