In 1971, the Florida Supreme Court, ruling in Franklin v. It also prohibited oral sex and anal sex between heterosexual partners. any notorious act of public indecency, tending to debauch the morals of society." Florida's first specific sodomy law, which was enacted in 1868 and made sodomy a felony, read: "Whoever commits the abominable and detestable crime against nature, either with mankind or with beast, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison not exceeding twenty years." In 1917, the Florida Legislature added a lesser crime, a second-degree misdemeanor: "Whoever commits any unnatural and lascivious act with another person shall be punished by fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding six months." įlorida courts interpreted the 1868 law to prohibit all sexual activity between two men or two women. Legality of same-sex sexual activity Īfter Florida became a territory of the United States in 1821, the Territorial Legislature enacted laws against fornication, adultery, bigamy, and incest, as well as against "open lewdness, or. 2 Recognition of same-sex relationships.Conversion therapy is also banned in a number of cities in the state, mainly in Palm Beach County and the Miami metropolitan area. Petersburg, Tallahassee and West Palm Beach, among others. These include Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, St. In addition, several cities and counties, comprising about 55% of Florida's population, have enacted anti-discrimination ordinances. Discrimination on account of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations is outlawed following the U.S. Texas on June 26, 2003, and same-sex marriage has been legal in the state since January 6, 2015. Same-sex sexual activity became legal in the state after the U.S.
state of Florida may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT) people in the U.S. Protections in employment, housing and public accommodations Altering sex on birth certificate does not require surgery