That’s roughly it. There’s just one problem. The Rokoko German spells out this is about “viehische Vermischung”, i.e. sex with animals, which is how the term “sodomy” is generally used in German, especially old fashioned German. Before becoming fluent in English, I had no idea it’s used in English for m/m sex. I remember having to explain to an older relation of mine that Oscar Wilde wasn’t accused of sex with animals by the Marquess of Queensbury in his (in)famous “To Oscar Wilde, Sondomite” (sic) card. Meaning: as far as I can see from this cabinet ordre, which I salute Felis to have found, Fritz is abolishing the death penalty for sex with animals, not for men having sex with men. (This would also explain the contradictory information in your sources as to whether he did or he didn’t.)
Otoh, I’m not sure anyone was executed for homosexuality during his life time, because I seem remember a letter in his old age where he’s proud to having had to sign only a handful of death penalties in his entire reign, and those were of “poor women” who killed their children.
Re: Sodomy
Otoh, I’m not sure anyone was executed for homosexuality during his life time, because I seem remember a letter in his old age where he’s proud to having had to sign only a handful of death penalties in his entire reign, and those were of “poor women” who killed their children.