Lawmakers Push To Remove 'Homosexuality' From Crime Codes

Harrisburg PA

18 April, 2022

8:40 AM

Description

By Julye Wemple, NorthCentralPA.com April 18, 2022 Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill that would remove "homosexuality" in the state's criminal code. Representatives Todd Stephens of Montgomery and Paul Schemel of Franklin County are co-sponsors of House bill 2125, which would amend public indecency laws to remove the term homosexuality from criminal definitions. Currently, Pennsylvania law references homosexuality in the state's laws against prostitution and child pornography. The reference "serves no purpose as homosexual acts, in and of themselves, do not constitute a criminal offense," the amendment states. Under the state's prostitution laws, it offers definitions of sexual activity, including "homosexual and other deviate sexual relations." It also details obscene materials that contain "sexual conduct" that can't be shown or sold to minors. The law includes "homosexuality" as sexual conduct, but also makes a broader reference to "sexual intercourse." State Senator Timothy Kearney, a Democrat serving parts of Chester and Delaware counties, introduced a similar bill in the Senate last year, calling the dated language " unnecessary and offensive." "In 2021, there is no good or technical reason to distinguish homosexuality within our Public Indecency statute," Kearney said. That bill has stalled in committee. The proposed House bill would also remove unnecessary definitions of sexual acts that are already defined elsewhere in the crimes codes. NorthcentralPa.com provides the region with reliable, relevant, and real-time news, covering weather, community news and events, crime, police activity, local, regional, and national alerts, and PennDOT-reported road construction and conditions. We report on local and regional politics, offer a platform for nonprofits to report their news and events, and share obituaries. Scanner reports let readers know what's happening outside their homes the minute it happens.