Date: Tue, 27 Sep 1994 15:36:16 -0400 (EDT) From: David Casti For further Information Contact: Shirley Lesser 804-643-4816 For Immediate Release Crimes Against Nature Law Included In Parole Reform Virginians For Justice, a statewide gay and lesbian civil rights organization, opposes the inclusion of Virginia's archaic Crimes Against Nature (CAN) law in Governor Allen's proposed parole reform legislation. Although the provisions of the plan purport to apply to violent criminals, the CAN law has been included, in its entirety, in the legislation currently before the General Assembly. The CAN law, Section 18.2-361 of Virginia Code, criminalizes virtually all non- procreative adult sexual behavior regardless of the participants' sexual orientation. Currently, a conviction under the CAN law is a Class 6 felony, punishable in a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $1,000. During the 1994 General Assembly, an unsuccessful attempt was made to decriminalize all non-commercial sexual acts in private between consenting adults. The bill (HB1314) was not acted on by the House Courts of Justice Committee. According to Virginians For Justice Chair, Patrick Heck, "The private behavior of adult Virginians should not be included in parole reform legislation. We should fully punish all non-consensual or violent sexual behavior, but the CAN law is a poorly crafted vestige of a regressive society long past and a classic example of governmental intrusion into the lives of most Virginians. As a conservative, Governor Allen should be pushing for the removal of intrusive governmental laws and regulations rather than stepping up the invasion of Virginia's bedrooms." Virginians For Justice urges all Virginians concerned about the unwarranted intrusion of the state into their private lives to contact their state legislators and request that all non-commercial sexual acts in private between consenting adults be decriminalized. Virginians For Justice works to advance equal justice for the Gay men and Lesbians of the Commonwealth of Virginia through appropriate state legislation and to ensure an effective, appropriate and compassionate response to the AIDS epidemic.