Virginia is for lovers

Register Now. It's Free!

Free Free FREE!..I tell you.

Originally posted by Bertha D. Blues:
Register Now. It's Free!

Free Free FREE!..I tell you.

Want brie or Camembert to go with that whine?
:roll:

Everybody fornicate! :p

Singles' Sex No Longer a Va. Crime
Defense in Herpes-Based Suit Leaned on 19th-Century Law

By Carol Morello
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 15, 2005; Page B05

The state Supreme Court yesterday struck down as unconstitutional a 19th-century Virginia law making it a crime for unmarried couples to have sex.

"We find no principled way to conclude . . . that the Virginia statute criminalizing intercourse between unmarried persons does not improperly abridge a personal relationship that is within the liberty interest of persons to choose," said the decision, written by Justice Elizabeth B. Lacy.

The ruling strikes down a law criminalizing fornication as a Class 4 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $250. The law had been on the books since the early 1800s but has not been enforced against consenting adults since 1847, lawyers said. The court based yesterday's ruling on a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning an anti-sodomy law in Texas.

The opinion did not deal with a separate Virginia law prohibiting sodomy. But attorneys for both parties in the case said it suggested that the court considers most laws regulating sex between consenting adults to be unconstitutional violations of the 14th Amendment's right to due process.

"It has far-reaching ramifications," said Paul Curley, an attorney for Kristopher J. Ziherl, the defendant in the case. "When you deal in any way with consensual acts – sodomy, bigamy, adultery – I'm not sure how any of them stand at this point."

The case involved a woman who sued her former boyfriend. Muguet S. Martin of Dinwiddie asked for $5 million in damages from Ziherl when she learned she had contracted herpes after they had had unprotected sex. She alleged that Ziherl knew about his condition but failed to inform Martin.

Circuit Court Judge Theodore J. Markow in Richmond dismissed the lawsuit, concluding that Martin was not entitled to sue for damages that occurred during an illegal act. The state Supreme Court ruling reinstates the lawsuit, which will proceed in Circuit Court.

"I can't say we're pleased we made Virginia safe for fornication," said Neil Kuchinsky, Martin's attorney. "Though some will thank me, I'm sure. What we're saying is, there's a new sexual rule of procedure in Virginia. That is, 'If you're not asked, do tell.' "

Martin, 30, said she had no idea she was committing a misdemeanor during her two-year relationship with Ziherl. Comparing the ruling to laws regulating drinking and driving, she said yesterday's ruling means Virginians should act responsibly.

"Ultimately, the message is, we are adults and we do engage in activities that are not always current with the law books," she said. "If you're going to do something, be responsible about it."

Curley agreed that it is wise and moral to inform sexual partners of any sexually transmitted diseases. But, he added, "To some degree, you assume the risk of contracting a disease if you have unprotected sex with someone."

Yesterday's ruling relied heavily on the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion in Lawrence v. Texas, which involved a man who had been convicted of sodomy. In that case, the justices ruled in favor of the right for personal relationships to be free of governmental interference.

"The State cannot demean their existence or control their destiny by making their private sexual conduct a crime," the opinion said.

Virginia's justices stressed that their ruling affects only private behavior between consenting adults.

"Our holding does not affect the Commonwealth's police power regarding regulation of public fornication, prostitution or other such crimes," the opinion said.

Curley said the opinion strips lawmakers of the authority to legislate most sexual acts.

"It's ironic in this case," he said. "Had the plaintiff complied with Virginia's fornication statute, she would not have gotten herpes."

because i know all the repressed virginians are waiting on an update:

A new bill could finally make it legal for unmarried people to have sex in Virginia


virginia might finally leave the company of mississippi and idaho - congrats!

Funny thread…didn't know it was illegal to have single-sex when I got here


So any Virginan's vote yet in the Democratic primaries for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General

I do like Lee carter…but can't imagine an avowed socialist getting the Dem nom, let alone winning in Nov

I feel like Terry and Justin come with a lot of baggage that will make the general difficlut
but not sure how I feel about the 2 Jennifers yet

There is no point in opposing McAuliffe although either of the two Jennifers would be fine. Herring for AG on my ticket although Jones would also be fine. Lt Gov is a shitshow.

I like Jennifer M. Will vote for her in primary…

I can’t stand Terry.. he encapsulates everything I didn’t like about the Bill Clinton years… it’s really sad that he insisted on imposing himself on us again  .. he should not have ran again

Julian, wrote:
There is no point in opposing McAuliffe

So are you saying that he's pretty much going to take it?
trying to gauge if VA voters really want him back

fairfax might have been a good option is he didn't have all those #metoo moments. 

I have to research the Jennifers

Seem like the GOP side is a clown car of epic proportions with each trying to out MAGA the other

Terry is a big craft beer ally, so there's that. What else really matters at the state level. Once Democrat is as good as another.

I do like the early voting…but voting in April for a June primary…just seems odd
I think once the primaries are done, that much lead time makes sense

Space wrote:
Terry is a big craft beer ally, so there's that. What else really matters at the state level. Once Democrat is as good as another.

one issue voter ;)

Side-cult wrote:

Julian, wrote:
There is no point in opposing McAuliffe

So are you saying that he's pretty much going to take it?
trying to gauge if VA voters really want him back

He has all the endorsements including WaPo. Short of literally all the rest of the field dropping out TODAY and coalescing around one of the Jennifers (and it probably has to by JCF), the race is a joke and he will win by 30+%.

He also was a great governor and frequented my favorite bar and called me JJ all the time. A++

Space wrote:
Once Democrat is as good as another.

It really does crack me up how much the super-online woke left goes "oh the machine! The corporate donors! The centrism!" as they hit their fainting couches and fail to notice that centrist Dems get progressive things done.

Northam (a milquetoast centrist) just strong armed weed across the finish line. He's ran one of the most thoughtful COVID restriction campaigns on the east coast. Biden is straight up pulling out of Afghanistan, deploying the most radically diverse cabinet ever and acknowledging the Armenian genocide.

Purity doesn't matter. Holding power does. AOC and Bernie can eat a dick.

He is definitely going to win but it’s ok to vote for one’s preferred candidate in an inconsequential primary…



I agree with everything Julian just wrote

Ok…great data points and seals the deal on me making a big deal out of the primary…so my vote is for Lee then!

Has Big Lee Carter ever drank with Julian and called him JJ repeatedly? He has not. QED.

Side-cult wrote:
Ok…great data points and seals the deal on me making a big deal out of the primary…so my vote is for Lee then!

I'm not familiar with him, but I have a great orthodontist and/or dentist to recommend.

Space wrote:

Side-cult wrote:
Ok…great data points and seals the deal on me making a big deal out of the primary…so my vote is for Lee then!

I'm not familiar with him, but I have a great orthodontist and/or dentist to recommend.

over here...

he's got a movie out too
https://www.socialismmovie.com/