Gay and Sexual Liberation Groups Collaborate To Overturn Laws Governing Sexual Behavior

June 1, 2004 - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) and the Woodhull Freedom Foundation (WFF) have announced a joint project to investigate and then lobby to overturn state and federal laws governing "consensual sexual" activities between individuals.

The new alliance is seeking to overturn age-of-consent laws governing sexual relations between children or teenagers; to repeal laws banning public sex in restrooms and parks; and to legalize prostitution as a consensual activity.

The announcement was made in a joint press release issued on May 28, 2004. According to the release, the project will serve a dual purpose, "... to educate Americans about the prevalence and abuse of antiquated and unjust sex laws in the nation, and to give grassroots activists policy and organizing tools to work to change these laws."

Dr. Mary Frances Berry, chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, is a WFF board member. According to Berry, "We believe that once people are educated on these issues, they will demand change."

The Woodhull Freedom Foundation web site says their organization is devoted to the legalization of consensual sex between individuals, including prostitution and sex in public restrooms. It is also dedicated to the elimination of abstinence-only sex education and supports laws emphasizing "sexual expression, sexual orientation, gender and racial discrimination."

The WFF is named for Victoria Woodhull, a 19th century feminist and advocate of free love. According to the WFF, Woodhull "advocated sexual satisfaction and love for all, legal prostitution, the right to multiple partners, and supported people's abilities to make their own decisions about consensual sexual activities CNSNews.com has more details on this story.

The effort by gay groups to overturn state laws against sex in areas such as restrooms and highway rest stops was underway in Massachusetts several years ago. In 2001, the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) won a legal decision against police officers picking up gays who were having sex in roadside rest areas. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled that men could engage in public sex acts in restrooms so long as there is no "substantial risk" that they will be observed by passersby. GLAD is the organization that sued and won the right of gays to marry in Massachusetts in May, 2004.