{"id":376485,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-prohibited-consensual-sexual-activity-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-06-09T09:57:16","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T14:57:16","slug":"tennessee-prohibited-consensual-sexual-activity-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-prohibited-consensual-sexual-activity-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Prohibited Consensual Sexual Activity Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tennessee Prohibited Consensual Sexual Activity Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

There are federal and state laws regarding non-consensual sex. For example, sexual assault, rape, and other sex crimes<\/a> all involve non-consensual sex and are serious violations. For the most part, the government does not and cannot regulate consensual sexual activity. However, there are some situations where consensual sex crosses the line and either endangers another’s well-being or disrupts the public order.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a brief overview of Tennessee laws prohibiting certain consensual and non-consensual sexual acts. Remember that "consent" is a legal term under Tennessee criminal law. For example, no one under the age of 18 can consent to sexual activity in Tennessee.<\/p>\r\n

History of Sexual Activity Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The state of Tennessee regulates certain voluntary sexual activities. Most of these guidelines reflect Tennessee’s lawmakers’ and citizens’ social and political norms.<\/p>\r\n

While any non-consensual sex is a crime, most states have enforced anti-sodomy laws in the past. Tennessee removed its statute outlawing sodomy in Campbell v. Sundquist<\/i><\/a> <\/i>in 1996. In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Lawrence v. Texas<\/i><\/a> <\/i>that these laws were unconstitutional since they singled out same-sex couples.<\/p>\r\n

Most states also have laws dating back more than a century outlawing bestiality. Under Tennessee Code, it\u2019s illegal to have sexual intercourse with a farm animal<\/a>. It\u2019s also illegal to photograph a human being having sexual relations with an animal.<\/p>\r\n

Consensual Sexual Activity Laws in Tennessee<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The main provisions of Tennessee’s consensual sexual activity laws are highlighted in the following chart. You can find more information and resources on this topic in FindLaw’s section on Sex Crimes<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Applicable Sodomy Laws Under Tennessee Code<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

There is no anti-sodomy statute in Tennessee’s books.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

HIV Exposure and Compelled Testing for Offenders<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

When law enforcement arrests someone for allegedly violating a sex crime law<\/a>, that person must undergo testing for HIV and other STIs<\/a> within 48 hours.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Other Crimes Relating to Consensual Sex Acts Under Tennessee Code<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n

Other Crimes Relating to Non-Consensual Sex Acts Under Tennessee Code<\/p>\r\n<\/b><\/th>\r\n