ABOUT TIME! Defense Bill Decriminalizes Sodomy

2013-12-10T21:41:20-05:00

Long overdue?

Consensual sodomy would no longer be a crime under the Uniform Code of Military Justice under a provision of a compromise defense bill agreed to by the leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee.

The provision modifies Article 125 of the UCMJ so that bestiality and forcible sodomy remain a military criminal offense but consensual sodomy is not.

Under current law, the maximum punishment for consensual sodomy is a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and five years’ confinement.

Maximum punishment for forcible sodomy or for sodomy with a child under age 12 is life imprisonment without the eligibility of parole. Sodomy with a child under the age of 16 but older than 12 is 20 years confinement. These maximum punishments would not change under the defense bill provision.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2013 9:50 PM

2013-12-10T21:50:49-05:00

Long overdue? Yes

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 10 at 2013 10:04 PM

2013-12-10T22:04:22-05:00

I think it's a shame that this was finally decriminalized ONLY AFTER DOMA was abolished. I'm for complete equality, but once again, it's seems rules are changed for a minority. Perception is reality.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2013 11:04 PM

2013-12-10T23:04:20-05:00

Consensual sodomy all around!

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2013 12:27 AM

2013-12-11T00:27:52-05:00

As an Infantry Squad Leader I doggedly pursued UCMJ action against all of my soldiers who engaged in or received oral sex (look up the definition of sodomy).  If there's one thing I wouldn't stand for, it's a rifleman who would turn his back on the good order and discipline provided by the UCMJ just for some slap and tickle!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2013 10:13 PM

2013-12-11T22:13:44-05:00

Consensual sodomy... Who stopped and thought about UCMJ?

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jul 13 at 2015 11:53 AM

2015-07-13T11:53:34-04:00

Considering the actual definition of Sodomy:
"sexual intercourse involving anal or ORAL copulation"

I don't know if UCMJ makes a distinction of gender, but assuming it doesn't I'm guessing you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who is qualified to "throw the first stone".

Stupid law to begin with.