Court outlaws Texas sodomy ban

WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 Thursday the Texas ban on homosexual sodomy is unconstitutional.

The court majority cited the "due process" -- or fair proceedings -- clause of the Constitution.

The majority opinion written by Justice Anthony Kennedy was relatively broad and may have implications for the sexual privacy of all Americans, not just homosexuals.

The majority ruled the due process clause gives homosexuals "the full right to engage in private conduct without government intervention."

Justice Antonin Scalia filed a dissent and was joined by Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Clarence Thomas.

Scalia said the Texas ban does not infringe a "fundamental right."