  We exploit variation in the timing of decriminalization of same-sex sexual
intercourse across U.S. states to estimate the impact of these law changes on
crime through difference-in-difference and event-study models. We provide the
first evidence that sodomy law repeals led to a decline in the number of
arrests for disorderly conduct, prostitution, and other sex offenses.
Furthermore, we show that these repeals led to a reduction in arrests for drug
and alcohol consumption.
