MT House endorses measure to decriminalize gay sex

HELENA — The Montana House has endorsed a bill that would repeal an obsolete state law criminalizing gay sex a day after voting to bypass the committee that tabled the measure.

AP Photo/Matt Gouras

Republican Rep. Duane Ankney, left, of Colstrip, speaks on the House floor Tuesday, in Helena. Ankney joined the chamber in voting to repeal an obsolete law that criminalizes gay sex.

The House gave its initial approval Tuesday to Senate Bill 107 on a 64-36 vote. It needs to pass a final vote before facing Gov. Steve Bullock.

The Senate previously approved the measure, but it became stuck in the House Judiciary Committee.

The bill sparked an emotional debate from Republicans including Rep. Duane Ankney of Colstrip, who called the law an embarrassment.

The law was struck down by the Montana Supreme Court in the 1990s, but remained on the books largely due to Republican opposition to remove it. Rep. Clarena Brockie, D-Hays. voptes for decriminalization. Reps. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, and Wendy Warburton, R-Chinook, voted no.