“Men in Ohio and Mississippi Could Face $10,000 Fine for Ejaculation Without Intent to Conceive Under Proposed Bill”

A new bill in Ohio and Mississippi could fine men up to $10,000 if they ejaculate without intending to conceive a child. The proposed law, called the “Conception Begins at Erection Act,” was introduced by Ohio State Representatives Anita Somani and Tristan Rader. It aims to make ejaculation without the goal of conception a serious crime, with fines starting at $1,008.49 for a first offense and going over $10,000 for repeat offenses.

Conservative lawmakers have criticized the bill. Ohio State Representative Austin Beigel (R) called it “a mockery of basic biology” and said it was “beyond ridiculous.” However, the bill is not meant to be taken literally. Its supporters say it is designed to start a conversation about reproductive rights and unfair legal standards based on gender.

Representative Somani (D-Dublin) stated, “Pregnancy doesn’t happen by one person alone.” If you’re going to punish someone for an unwanted pregnancy, why not punish the person who is also responsible?” The bill is a response to stricter abortion laws in many states after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Abortion is now illegal in ten states, even in cases of rape, and at least three women have been jailed under these laws.

Somani explained that the bill aims to highlight the absurdity of controlling women’s reproductive decisions. “If regulating men seems ridiculous, then regulating women should seem just as ridiculous,” she said. The discussion around reproductive rights also extends to topics like contraception and in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Some religious conservatives oppose IVF, claiming it goes against their interpretation of biblical teachings.

The Trump administration has supported expanding access to IVF to help with declining birth rates. However, some activists argue that life begins at fertilization and that embryos should have legal rights. This debate is partly driven by Christian nationalist movements that want the government to follow biblical law. Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has openly supported this idea, calling America a “Christian nation.”

Some religious groups point to Bible stories, like the story of Onan in Genesis 38:6-11, as evidence that God opposes contraception and masturbation. In the story, Onan is punished for refusing to impregnate his brother’s widow.

While the “Conception Begins at Erection Act” is unlikely to become law, it highlights Ohio’s recent vote to protect abortion rights. In November 2023, 57% of Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to abortion, contraception, fertility treatments, and miscarriage care. Despite this, Representative Beigel has proposed the Ohio Prenatal Equal Protection Act, which would give embryos full legal rights under the U.S. Constitution. If passed, this could override the voters’ decision and make abortion illegal in Ohio.

Article Source: VT