When the Florida Supreme Court hears arguments in a Monroe County case next week, it will consider what might seem a bizarre question: What is the definition of sexual intercourse?

The question stems from charges filed in 2011 against Gary Debaun under a law that requires HIV-infected people to inform potential sexual partners about the disease before having sexual intercourse. Debaun was accused of not providing the information to a male sexual partner.

But Debaun's attorney persuaded a circuit judge to dismiss the charge, arguing that state law and courts have defined sexual intercourse as being between men and women—not between men who have oral or anal sex. The Third District Court of Appeal overturned that ruling but asked the Supreme Court to resolve the question.