In my previous substantive post, I discussed issues with protecting individuals who engage in homosexual relations in the state of North Carolina. Though their actions should be protected based on the case Lawrence v. Texas, North Carolina statutes are vague and often are still used to punish those who engage in non-heterosexual vaginal intercourse. I examined the statute in question, G.S. 14, and it is clear that many acts are able to be punished by this statute.
The items that most interested me were crimes against nature, adultery, sharing a hotel room, obscene literature and exhibitions, preparation of obscene photographs, disclosure of private images, and using profanity on the telephone. I feel that these items are potentially outdated and are violated often. They all carry heavy sentences, and I would venture to say that a good chunk of the population has violated these laws. Under these vague laws, things like having oral sex consensually, using sex toys, reading Fifty Shades of Grey, sending nude pictures to your significant other, sexting, checking into a hotel with someone you’re not married to, and cursing at someone while on the telephone can all result in imprisonment.
It is my position that these laws should be rewritten so that they are less vague. Though sexual offenses can have serious implications for minors and those who did not consent, it seems bizarre to me that actions that occur between two consenting adults can be deemed illegal. The statues make it so that only vaginal penetration between a man and a woman is legal. This extreme control of sexual expression seems archaic to me, and I believe that it is time to enter an age that recognizes consensual sexual engagement as legal and a human right. What are your thoughts?