Supreme Court Throws Out Bid To Revive Virginia's Anti-Sodomy Laws

Virginia Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli wants the laws back on the books

The supreme court began its new term on Monday by turning away hundreds of appeals, including Virginia's bid to revive its anti-sodomy law.

The justices took the bench just past 10 o'clock, even as much of the rest of the government was coping with a partial shutdown. Chief justice John Roberts formally opened the new term without any reference to the partisan impasse over the budget and the new healthcare law that his vote helped uphold in 2012. The court has announced it will operate normally at least through the end of this week. The justices are hearing six arguments, including a challenge to limits on campaign contributions.