# Why is sex in public illegal? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 27, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870 "2003-06-27T22:35:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/41 "2003-06-29T11:29:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by badmana \* > \*\* > And the argument about not wanting to tell your kids is pretty lame. What do you tell them when 2 dogs are going at it? \*\* Well, that’s simple. I say that one doggie ran out of gas, so the other one is pushing her home. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/42 "2003-06-29T12:39:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mockingbird \* > \*\*As if it doesn’t happen anyway. > > Please. > > There is plenty of furtive sex in public areas. \*\* I’m sure there is. And your point is…? ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/43 "2003-06-29T12:40:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blonde \* > \*\* > This is a lead-in for the “when did you have sex in public?” thread. I just know it. \*\* One would think. It seems that no one has bitten yet, though… ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/44 "2003-06-29T15:10:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Salem \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > And the argument about not wanting to tell your kids is pretty lame. What do you tell them when 2 dogs are going at it? > > Well, that’s simple. I say that one doggie ran out of gas, so the other one is pushing her home. \*\* Moreover, those are _dogs_ that you’re talking about. Unlike most humans, they are unable to control their impulses. Human beings are naturally held to a higher standard of conduct. I think it is positively ridiculous to say, “Well, dogs have sex in public, so we may as well let human beings do the same.” Explaining public doggie coitus to a two-year-old would be difficult enough. Why compound the problem by permitting public human coitus as well? ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/45 "2003-06-29T15:28:46Z")
Punchline to an old joke: Little Sally says, “But I don’t want a little brother! Turn Mommy over so that I can have a puppy instead!” ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/46 "2003-06-29T17:39:50Z")
Well, there’s another question; sex between humans is just as natural as sex between dogs, so why should one be considered gross, disgusting, and immoral, and the other just be considered natural? ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/47 "2003-06-29T19:45:40Z")
Because humans can control their impulses, and dogs can’t. How many times must I point this out? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/48 "2003-06-29T19:48:40Z")
Dogs also shit and piss wherever they want. Pissing and shitting are just as natural when humans do it as when dogs do it. And yeah, people have sex in public places-however, they’re still breaking the law. What, because people keep breaking a law that means we should just give up? I don’t care if it makes me a prude-GET A ROOM! ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/49 "2003-06-29T20:06:17Z")
Guin I wonder if you are against Kissing in public too…or any affection showered on a loved one… ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2003, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/50 "2003-06-29T21:43:32Z")
Huh? So because Guin opposes sex in public, you somehow surmise that she probably opposes any form of public affection whatsoever? How does that conclusion even remotely follow from what Guin said? ---
**Author:** ![MaryEFoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MaryEFoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaryEFoo)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/51 "2003-06-30T02:11:54Z")
Don’t all societies have rules for sexual behavior? Specifically, are there any societies where people can just have sex in public when & how they want to? ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/52 "2003-06-30T02:40:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by featherlou \* > \*\*Well, there’s another question; sex between humans is just as natural as sex between dogs, so why should one be considered gross, disgusting, and immoral, and the other just be considered natural? \*\* Ya know, when I used to have 2 rabbits, they used to hump each other at every opportunity. I would tell them to cut it out cus I don’t wanna see that. Not because it’s gross, disgusting or immoral - I’m just not interested. Same as I’m not interested in walking down 17th Ave, and turning onto 8th St. to do a bit of shopping at MRV, a having a big ol’ snatch thrust in my face. That doesn’t make me a prude. It makes me not interested in seeing snatch. Really, get a damn room if the need is so great. Or at least pick a nice private shurbbery. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/53 "2003-06-30T04:03:30Z")
Did I SAY that, **Ryan\_Liam**? No, I did not. Kindly pay closer attention. Really, it’s all about being discreet. Holding hands, a small kiss, a hug, fine. Slobbering all over each other right smack dab in front of my locker ten seconds before the late bell back in high school=DIE DIE DIE!!! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/54 "2003-06-30T04:46:56Z")
So, it’s a matter of degree? Holding hands, kissing, maybe a little petting, a bit of fondling, that’s all okay, but no actual penetration? ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/55 "2003-06-30T05:30:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by featherlou \* > \*\* Holding hands Ok > [@](#): > > kissing If you must. > [@](#): > > maybe a little petting No thanks. > [@](#): > > bit of fondling What’s being fondled - an ear lobe or a boob? I don’t wanna see someone groping someone elses boob, thankyouverymuch. > [@](#): > > but no actual penetration? Well that would involve either a snatch, an ass, or a mouth with one of the aforementioned or a dick in it. No, thanks all the same. When I’m shopping, I wanna shop. If I wanted a free sex show, I would go to a free sex show. Or watch it on the internet. Ya know - a lot of people throw large buckets of iced water on dogs that are going at it in public… ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/56 "2003-06-30T18:16:20Z")
Why don’t we like seeing other people being intimate? Is it simply because we are not used to it? Are we being bigoted, is this just like not liking to see two men holding hands in public? Is it unpleasant to see, like someone vomiting, or nose-picking? Is it too unhygenic, like someone urinating? Is it because we are drawn to watch it, and it therefor interferes with whatever else we were doing? For **Alice in Wonderland** and anyone who feels similar to her, What is it about kissing or petting in public, that makes you not want to be able to see it? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/57 "2003-06-30T18:32:22Z")
Perhaps because it’s a private activity. It’s between those two individuals. It’s very intimate. And I feel like I’m intruding. Little pecks, holding hands, hugs, things like that, fine. But sorry, I don’t need to see everyone going at it. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/58 "2003-06-30T19:37:09Z")
Moreover, it cheapens the ultimate act of intimacy. Maybe for some people, making love is no different from getting a sandwich from the refrigerator, or riding each other like dogs in heat. But others might feel that drawing a veil of privacy around the act helps maintain its dignity and specialness. I think the interesting question is not why the vast majority of people don’t want to see public fucking, but why a tiny minority feels threatened by the idea of privacy and dignity. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/59 "2003-06-30T20:05:41Z")
I was in Copenhagan recently, on my honeymoon. The day of our departure, we spent the morning in a park. I had to use the bathroom. There were two stalls in the bathroom; a guy went in right before I arrived, and stayed int there for about ten minutes. The other stall was horrifically backed up with shitty water. I waited. Another guy came in, went into the backed-up stall for a couple of minutes. Came out. Left the bathroom. And then I heard another door open and shut. Curious, I went outside, and realized that the bathroom was two-part: the second guy had just entered a tiny, closet-shaped room with one wall devoted entirely to a communal urinal (you know, the kind that’s metal and five feet wide, designed for the use of several guys at once). Excellent, I thought, and peed. Before I finished, I realized that the guy who’d entered before me wasn’t peeing. No sirree, that’s not what he was doing at all. I’m not generally a prude, I like to think. The idea of some people having sex in public doesn’t bother me in the abstract. But it pretty much fucking sucked to be alone in a bathroom with a guy that was masturbating and getting turned on by my being right there. Theory? Fine. Specifics? Lock the sonofabitch up. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![greck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ab992/32.png) [@greck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greck)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870/60 "2003-06-30T20:23:34Z")
Its illegal for a couple of reasons 1. EEWW! 2. It’s just too emotionally intense an experience for everyone involved. Our living in societies demands that we be able to control our impulses, which come from our emotions. There are certain laws that protect us from having to experience overwhelming emotions in spite of our reluctance to regulate the feelings and behavior of our citizens. For instance, it is illegal to yell fire in a crowded theater. This causes a clear and present danger. Sex is the most intimate of acts, it calls for the most vulnerability. Seeing someone involved in a sexual act is virtually impossible (I’d say definitively unhuman) to feel ambivalent about. We take notice seeing people kiss we take a deep breath if they use tongue, maybe avert our eyes. We definitely feel uncomfortable if there’s any groping with each rise in intensity of the act there is a rise in intensity of our feelings as witnesses, and a lessened ability to be simple witnesses. We become participants, like it or not. that’s why. and also, i reiterate, eeww. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sex-in-public-illegal/184870.md?page=4)