This
article of the German Code (Section 175) has caused great discussion and
much practical difficulty, because, although the terms of the law make it
necessary to understand by _widernatuerliche Unzucht_ other practices
besides _paedicatio_, not every homosexual practice is included; it must be
some practice resembling normal coitus. There is a widespread opinion that
this article of the code should be abolished; it appears that at one time
an authoritative committee pronounced in favor of this step, and their
proposition came near adoption. The Austrian law is somewhat similar to
the German, but it applies to women as well as to men; this is logical,
for there is no reason why homosexuality should be punished in men and
left unpunished in women. In Russia the law against homosexual practices
appears to be very severe, involving, in some cases, banishment to Siberia
and deprivation of civil rights; but it can scarcely be rigorously
executed.
The existing law in England is severe, but simple. Carnal knowledge _per
anum_ of either a man or a woman or an animal is punishable by a sentence
of penal servitude with not less than three years, or of imprisonment with
not more than two years.
Pages:
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798
799