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The Impact of Sodomy Law Repeals on Crime

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  • Ciacci, Riccardo
  • Sansone, Dario

Abstract

We exploit variation in the timing of decriminalization of same-sex sexual intercourse across U.S. states to estimate the impact of these law changes on crime. We provide the first evidence that sodomy law repeals led to a decline in the number of arrests for disorderly conduct, prostitution, and other sex offenses. Furthermore, we show that these repeals led to a reduction in arrests for drug and alcohol consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Ciacci, Riccardo & Sansone, Dario, 2020. "The Impact of Sodomy Law Repeals on Crime," MPRA Paper 102084, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:102084
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    sodomy laws; LGBTQ; crime;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • K14 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Criminal Law
    • K39 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Other

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