Republicans sodomize themselves with their own heads.

*NOW* Virginia is for lovers.

My brother and his partner have been breaking the law in Florida for over 30 years.

Surprised Florida hasn't broken down the door in their house to prosecute.

Being Florida, and all.

Any place with such a law sucks dick anyway.

I have tickets to the Slate Political Gabfest Live at 6th and I in DC, but it should be finished by 9. I could be in Arlington by 9:30, definitely.

Pretty surprised this passed both houses unanimously.

@6: Everyone loves a blow job, I guess.

Mehlman (the real one) rejoices; the military bases of VA are only an Acela ride away.

Serious question: is the insulting power of the phrase "suck my dick" (and its variations) ultimately based on misogynistic/homophobic motivations?

If it is unconstitutional, why is it still on the books?

@9 - Yes, pretty much. See also "That sucks."

@10 - Because being ruled unconstitutional doesn't automatically remove something from the books; it basically just establishes precedent that makes the law unenforceable. And some governments are overrun with bitter, vindictive people who will insist on keeping those laws around out of spite as some kind of symbolic gesture. No doubt some of them are also holding out hope that the ruling will be reversed and they can go back to jailin' queers.

Huh, weird. I wonder if that list of states has anything in common?

That's 12 other states. Can 12 be "several"? To me, "several"
Is definitely no more than 5, more like 3.

There is a bill up for vote in the coming legislative session in Louisiana that would remove the unconstitutional parts of the law from the books. The Baton Rouge Metro Council was asked to pass a resolution recommending passage to the legislature. They refused because they are in Tony Perkins and Gene Mills (the local version of Tony Perkins...except Tony Perkins is also local..sigh) back pocket..

Damn, now I have no excuse.

And just a year ago, the Republican Attorney General running for Governor was suing to allow the state to enforce the law. Elections have consequences.

Speaking of anatomical wonders, Sandiai, did you ever make it out to the National Museum of Health & Medicine after they moved from Walter Reed to Silver Spring?

I have not, rob! I was there a few years ago and "enjoyed" it very much. I'll make a point to do so when I have a little more time on my hands. Are you in the DC area, rob!

No—I was there quite a while ago now for a workshop at Catholic University. My former boss did part of his training at Walter Reed and recommended it to me. So much I didn't see on that trip!

Brave legislative move, there. Repealing an illegal law which wasn't enforceable after the Supreme Court's Lawrence decision. Eleven years after the Supreme Court mooted their law. Bold and timely.

Next up, a bill declaring the sky blue. Or puppies warm.

When I was in college I went to a LGBT student conference in Virginia. It was the first time I knowingly broke a sodomy law, so Virginia will always hold a special place in my heart despite their crazy politics of the past few years.

@20: They'd pass a law saying puppies weren't warm if Obama said they were.

@14 Sheryl - Sadly, the Louisiana bill to remove the law from the books is given a chance of somewhere between "no chance in hell" and "over my dead body".

And the big problem? Although prosecutors (well, in most places, anyway) know the law can't be enforced, law enforcement officials often do not. For the last few years, the East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's office was running a sting in public parks - not to catch people having sex IN the parks (which is illegal and still enforceable), but to convince guys to take the deputy back to their apartment or house, or even to meet up there later, and then arresting the guy. The prosecutors threw the cases out, every time, but the sheriff's office kept arresting people anyway.

That particular sheriff has now been enlightened and wants to see the law repealed too - as do the DA's and the Sheriff's Association, and probably the other police organizations. But the religious right who control our legislature on "moral" issues have basically thrown down the gauntlet and promise to make this a "scorecard" bill - ergo, vote to repeal an unconstitutional law and you'll get a low rating from the Family Forum.