Public Law 615

United States [1948]

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Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Public Law 615, enacted in 1948 and signed by President Harry Truman, was legislation intended to identify and institutionalize individuals deemed "sexual psychopaths" within Washington, D.C.. The law's broad and ambiguous language unfortunately provided a means for law enforcement to target and charge gay individuals under this classification. This act is a significant part of the historical context surrounding the Lavender Scare, a period of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in the United States.1

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Lavender Scare
Public Law 615
Harry Truman signed Public Law 615, which intended to identify and institutionalize “sexual psychopaths” in Washington, D.C. The vague wording of the law categorized homosexuality as a mental illness and allowed police to arrest and charge gay people.
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Harry Truman signed Public Law 615, which intended to identify and institutionalize “sexual psychopaths” in Washington, D.C. The vague wording of the law categorized homosexuality as a mental illness and allowed police to arrest and charge gay people.
Read More