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Experts: Many outdated laws on Mich. books

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LANSING, Mich., July 27 (UPI) -- Experts said many rarely enforced Michigan laws, including a ban on singing the "Star-Spangled Banner" at a dance, may run afoul of the U.S. Constitution.

The Detroit Free Press said its review of thousands of state and local laws in Michigan found outdated legislation including a statewide ban on the national anthem at dances, seducing unmarried women, advertising treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, indecent sex and swearing to "God," "Jesus Christ" or "the Holy Ghost."

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The newspaper said it also found unusual local laws including a Fenton ordinance banning eating in cemeteries, a Clawson law against snowball fights and another law in Clawson banning homosexuals from bars.

The latter Clawson law has raised the ire of gay-rights groups, but Clawson City Manager Mark Pollock said repealing the ban is not a priority because it is not enforced.

Experts said many of the laws, most of which were passed in the early 20th century, may be struck down as unconstitutional if they were enforced.

"Most of these ordinances are offensive and unconstitutional. They need to be repealed," said Michael Steinberg, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan.

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