age of consent : Gay & Black Glossary

The lowest age at which sex is legally permissible. Often the age differs for male/male, female/female and male/female. In Canada, the age of consent is 16, raised by the Conservative party from 14 in 2008-02, though there is a law that prohibits anal sex until 18. That law’s legal status is unsure given that it clearly is intended to discriminate against gay people. In the USA, the age of consent varies state by state from 16 to 18.

The notion of age of consent is peculiar in that one day sex can bring a 7 year prison term, and the next day is perfectly legal. It does not depend on the apparent physical age. The other oddness in Canada is that possession of a naked picture of someone under 18 is illegal even though it is legal to have sex with such a person. It is not clear if viewing such a picture is illegal, or if it requires possession.

My view is that gays and straights must be treated equally. It is bigotry to punish a gay person and let off a straight for doing the exact same act.

age of consent table
American age of consent laws
child molesting
ephebophile
pedophile
WikiPedia on Age of Consent

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