Sodomy is a term that generally refers to either anal sex or oral sex between people, or any sexual activity between a human and an animal (bestiality) . The term "sodomy" is derived from the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Book of Genesis, and originally referred to homosexual anal sex. Sodomy laws in many countries criminalized the behavior, but in the Western world, many of these laws have been overturned or are routinely not enforced. In the United States, sodomy laws were traditionally referred to as a "crime against nature" and mainly consisted of anal sex, but eventually included oral sex as well. By the beginning of the 21st century, a majority of the states in the U.S. had repealed all sodomy laws, and in 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas sodomy law as unconstitutional, thereby invalidating any remaining sodomy laws across the U.S. .
In addition to consensual sexual activity, sodomy can also refer to non-consensual sexual contact, or sex without "consent". Most cases of sodomy involve accusations of forcible sexual contact or sex without consent, and if convicted, the offender will be placed on the sex offender registry. In California, sodomy is considered a serious offense, punishable with prison time and other penalties.
It is important to note that the term "sodomy" has a long history of use in reference to culturally stigmatized sex acts, and often specifically to sex acts between people of the same sex. However, the term is not limited to same-sex sexual activity and can also refer to heterosexual sexual activity.
