This is reprinted from the Las Vegas Bugle ( a gay paper) without
permission.  

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KEVIN KELLY TAKES 'SODOMY' LAW TO NEVADA'S TOP COURT

A challenge to Nevada's "sodomy law" has been filed with the Nevada Supreme
Court by Las Vegas Attorney Kevin Kelly.  The petition for a writ of
habeas corpus is unique in that it challenges the state law, instead of
federal law.  This is important because the leasing case from the United
States Supreme Court is Bowers V. Hardwick which was decided in 1986 and
was based solely on the federal Constitution.

[...]

In Kelly's Supreme Court petition, it presents a copy of the Metro Police
report, which states Donald Knoll visited the Las Vegas Athletic club on
May 29, 1992, and subsequently went to the steam room, where he met
Detective R. Phillips, who was sitting there totally nude.

[more on who touched who first... the guy was arrested.]

[...]

Furthermore, Kelly argues the state's historical laws against sodomy, in 
general, are based upon Judeo-Christian precepts.  He maintains that
religious discrimination is responsible for enforecement of biased laws against
gays by the inherent nature of ruling case law, which cited biblical 
passages as foundation for law.

[...]

The law is further challenged under the Ninth Amendment to the Nevada
Constitution which guarantees the right to privacy, as well as the right to 
equal protection under the law.  It is unique that the sodomy law should
be challenged under the state's own constitutional laws.

Nevada is one of five remaining states that only prohibits sodomy when 
performed by people of the same sex.

[...]

=======================

What we have is a "Crimes Against Nature" law.  The Metro Police dropped
the charges against Mr. Knoll when they heard he was attacking the law
itself.  They changed the charge to Lewd Public Behavior.  (which the
man *was* guilty of...) It should also be noted that the Metro police
dept does not hire homosexuals and cites the Sodomy law as the reason.
If the law is ruled unconstitutional in the Nevada Supreme Court, they
would have to begin hiring Queers.

On a bright note, a newly elected State CongressCritter has authored two
great bills.  Currently the sponsors of a state bill do not have to
place their names on their work; the new Bill would require this.  I like
the idea of knowing who is doing what with my laws. Her other bill 
repeals the Crimes Against Nature law.  This is going to be an interesting
fight.  Nevada is a very strong Mormon State, with most officials devout
worshipers.  Except we do have legal prostitution, easy divorce, and
gambling, which isn't exactly considered Godly.  

The Mayor of Las Vegas, Jan Jones, is quite queer friendly, is speaking at
the next meeting of the Lambda Business Association, sent a telegram to
the last Gay Pride festival, and used to do TV comercials with a well known
local drag artist.  

Veddy Interwesting...

Shawn