The Lavender Letter: Applying the Law of Adultery to Same-Sex Couples and Same-Sex Conduct

32 Pages Posted: 2 Aug 2010 Last revised: 10 May 2016

See all articles by Peter Nicolas

Peter Nicolas

University of Washington School of Law

Date Written: July 30, 2010

Abstract

In this manuscript, I examine the question whether the law of adultery applies to same-sex extramarital conduct, which has divided courts nationwide. While the case law to date has been limited – since the issue has only arisen in the context of opposite-sex marriages in which one spouse has an extramarital same-sex relationship – with the growth in the number of states legalizing same-sex marriage, the question is certain to recur with increased frequency.

In the manuscript, I examine the question in four different contexts: criminal adultery prosecutions, fault-based divorce actions, civil tort actions for interference with the marital relationship, and murder cases raising a provocation defense based on a spouse’s act of adultery. I demonstrate that those decisions holding that same-sex conduct does not constitute adultery do so on the basis of outdated precedents that rely on a gendered concept of adultery that treats sexual dalliances by men and women differently, as well as on heteronormative statutory regimes in which same-sex adultery and opposite-sex adultery were punished differently because all sexual activity between individuals of the same sex was considered unlawful. Next, I show that the policy arguments in favor of maintaining any of these bases for criminal and civil liability apply with equal force to same-sex couples and same-sex conduct. Finally, I conclude that the same equality principles that have resulted in the extension of the right to marry to same-sex couples likewise require the application of adultery laws and related doctrines to same-sex couples and same-sex conduct, and indeed that a failure to apply them in those contexts devalues same-sex relationships and perpetuates antiquated, negative stereotypes about gay people.

Keywords: gay, lesbian, homosexual, glbt, lgbt, marriage, adultery, heat-of-passion, criminal conversation, alienation of affections, seduction, breach of promise to marry, same-sex, same-sex marriage, gay marriage, homosexual marriage

Suggested Citation

Nicolas, Peter, The Lavender Letter: Applying the Law of Adultery to Same-Sex Couples and Same-Sex Conduct (July 30, 2010). Florida Law Review, Vol. 63, No. 1, pp. 97-127, 2011, University of Washington School of Law Research Paper No. 2011-07, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1651387

Peter Nicolas (Contact Author)

University of Washington School of Law ( email )

William H. Gates Hall
Box 353020
Seattle, WA 98105-3020
United States

HOME PAGE: https://www.law.washington.edu/directory/profile.aspx?ID=150

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