17 Year Old Dating 18 Year Old (guys)?

Question

hi, im 17 and am dating a wonderful guy who is 17. weve been together for a couple months now and his birthday is coming up soon. He will be turning 18 but i wont be for a couple more months afterwards. We are both in the same grade and we live in florida. Is there a law against this. Our relationship is loving and is also sexually active. Our parents dont know about it (we see each other secretly) and i am worried that if my parents (homophobic) find out we are together and having sex he may get into trouble. Should i put us on 'hold' for a while? Or should i just stay together with him?

Please dont come with the entire, "when he turns 18 he will instantly be an adult and be one thousand times more mature than you because you will still be 17 and too young to 'understand' your choices and you will still have a lack of judgement" We both are the exact same maturity level (high) but are only a couple months apart in age.

ok,

let me remind some of the answerers that my parents would may try to file something against my bf incase something happens, that is what i am worried about. I know this question may sound answered-within-itself but i am not sure if age of consent applies to gay sex, if it didnt then it would be illegal for us to have sex after he turns 18.

Answer 1

This is a tough one. Legally he is liable but a procesutor will have to decided whether to try the case or not. Your parents can file a report but they will have to have proof. This is different from a conviction. In this situation I would say it would be a not. I would not put my relationship on hold but you will have to make some decisions soon. I am assuming you are in your last year of high school. Make plans for the future so you don't have to sneak and hide. You could try and be honest with your parents. You will have to eventually or you will spend your life hiding. Good luck

Answer 2

Most age-of-consent laws don't split hairs like that, they usually go by the age difference (like 2 or more years between the ages). I'd keep a low profile for the next few months even so. That doesn't mean no contact, just no PDA's. I know that's unfair, since heteros can be all over each other at any age, anywhere, but that's our society for the time being. Meanwhile, I'm glad you have someone. Best wishes for a long love.

That 15 year old chick in the earlier post messing around with her 19 year old squeeze is another matter, though. That has statutory rape written all over it. When two people with that age spread claim to be equally mature, they mean equally immature, which is not a legal defense or grounds for a healthy relationship. That pair really needs to cool it.

Answer 3

I don't know what the law says, but if someone does tell you that it's illegal, don't blame the messanger. Try "age of consent" on wikipedia or something. In the US, the fact that you're both male should not change the age of consent, and most states have a condition about being more than one or two years apart (meaning it'd be alright). I don't know if Florida is one of those states though.

Answer 4

There is something called the age of consent, which is 17 I believe, where you can have consentual sex with someone who is 18 or older. There is also common sense, and if you truely have had a relationship prior to turning 18, then just because one is a few months older does not mean a crime is being commited.

Answer 5

As far as I know, the law in Florida for statcitory (sp?) rape is 16. So since your seventeen you can do whatever you want with any age as long as you consent. If your parents are homophobes then I dont think age is gonna be what they have a problem with. I dont understand that really. In todays society a homophobe is just about the most useless thing you can be. I hope they are understanding and accepting and I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 6

The words of the Law, I'm sure, are quite exact. Although you are as mature as he is, there is something magical about the age of consent; as far as the Law is concerned. You would, of necessity need to cool things down for a couple of months - or he could get into trouble, for all that there is nothing separating you from equal maturity.

Answer 7

Well, unless you don't get mad at him or whatever and accuse him of raping your or whatever, I don't see a reason not to.
My friend was 17 and her girlfriend was 33 and she ran away with her and got married to her, etc.
Florida is pretty much anyways is packed with gays and lesbians. By LAW, two months will not make a difference to than what your doing now.
By your concent, if you get caught, only the parents can persue charges, and if that does happen, it has to go past you to tell the story, so...either way, I would say...keep on keep on. If he is terriffic and you love him, keep with it. Don't just lay low because of it.

Answer 8

Go here to find the Legal Age limit for your State of Florida:
http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=113

You may be surprised and find that your both legal at that age. Also, as long YOU claim there's nothing going on, THEN THERE'S NOTHING GOING ON! Its almost impossible to prosecute without a witness. Just realize that your parents may disown you. I would keep it "quiet" until out of school, have a job and was able to move in my own place. Then blow the closet doors off. Just safer that way and he can always be your "friend" till then (with benefits of course) but they don't need to know that, yet!

Answer 9

my close friend has the same problem exept she is straight they are staying together until they are both 18 then letting the cat out of the bag coz she is 15 and he is 18 coming up 19 they are keeping quiet (i am the only person theve told) they know that it isnt going to end or be "put on hold".

hope this helps *hugz*

Answer 10

Well, California's age of consent for sex is 18. So technically being sexually active with him is illegal. But as for simply dating, there's no laws against that as far as I know.