Fact-Checking Viral Lists of "Weird Sex Laws" in America
In short
Some are, many are not. A widely shared 2021 list named Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Mississippi, South Carolina and Utah as banning sex outside marriage, but Massachusetts reportedly repealed its law in 2018, Utah in 2019 and Idaho in 2022. Statutes that remain, as in Mississippi and South Carolina, are considered unenforceable after Lawrence v. Texas.
What the full article will cover
- Where do weird sex law lists come from?
- Which fornication laws are actually still on the books?
- Which claims are outdated?
- Why can't the remaining laws be enforced?
- How can you check a state law yourself?
Frequently asked questions
- Is it illegal to have sex before marriage in any state?
- Are dumb laws lists reliable?
- Where can I read official state statutes?
Sources
- mentalfloss.com — https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/641817/strange-sex-laws-united-states
- le.utah.gov — https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter7/C76-7-S104_1800010118000101.pdf
- legislature.idaho.gov — https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2022/legislation/S1325.pdf
- law.cornell.edu — https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/fornication
- wsvn.com — https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/a-new-bill-could-finally-make-it-legal-for-unmarried-people-to-have-sex-in-virginia/
General information, not legal or religious advice.