A few states over in Ohio, a new bill is being worked on that would make it illegal for men to ejaculate without the intention of having a baby.
State Representatives Anita Somani and Tristan Rader have announced their intentions to introduce such a law in the months to come. Nicknamed the “Conception Begins at Erection Act,” the proposed legislation would make it a felony for a man to have unprotected sex if they don’t plan on committing to possible further actions.
Somani, the original writer of the bill, got part of the inspiration for the Ohio version of the bill from Mississippi State Senator Bradford Blackmon, who introduced a bill back in January by the same name. The other portion, aside from seeing the constant attack on women’s rights by the GOP, comes from her experience as an OBGYN for more than 30 years, having experienced firsthand the damage such restrictive laws can cause.
“What other right do you know of where women have different rights based on where they live versus men? If I live in a state that protects reproductive rights, I have more rights than somebody who lives in a state where reproductive rights have been restricted,” Somani explained. “Men can go to any state in the United States and have the same rights no matter where they are.”
However, there are certain exceptions to the bill. The penalties don’t apply if protection or contraception is used, if someone is masturbating, or donating sperm and it doesn’t apply to members of the LGBTQ+ community per their intercourse. If passed, the potential felony would cost violators thousands of dollars, with a maximum of $10,000 per discharge.
“If you’re going to penalize someone for an unwanted pregnancy, why not penalize the person who is also responsible for the pregnancy?” Somani said, “You don’t get pregnant on your own.”
While the bill would be hard-pressed to pass, the writer of the legislation say that it doesn’t need to.
“It’s more to make the statement and start the conversation,” Somani explained. “You know, I’m not here as an OBGYN, I’m not here to regulate reproductive rights, I’m here to show the absurdity of regulating anybody’s rights.”