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Columbia Missourian

Springfield council looks at same sex law

By The Associated Press
July 5, 2009 | 4:00 p.m. CDT

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield City Council is looking into eliminating an unenforced local ordinance making it illegal to entice a member of the same gender to engage in sexual activity in a public place.

The city says it already only enforces a law that makes it illegal for anyone to engage in sexual activity in any public place.

Council member Doug Burlison has requested the 1976 ordinance be removed.

The vice president of the local Gay and Lesbian Organization, Jim Wooten, says getting rid of the rule would be a "another steppingstone to our equal rights."

City Attorney Dan Wichmer has been asked to draw up language to remove the ordinance.