Ohio bill to make unprotected sex a felony

Legislators have recently proposed a bill that would criminalise unprotected sexual activity among men unless they have the intention of conceiving a child. This is a matter of actuality.

This bold initiative by two Ohio State Representatives involves the introduction of a bill that would criminalise unprotected sexual activity between men, unless it is intended to result in conception.

It is a bold step, but two Ohio State Representatives have introduced a bill that would make it illegal for men to have unprotected sex if it is not intended to result in a pregnancy.

If the “Conception Begins at Erection Act” is passed, men in Ohio could face a felony charge if they “discharge genetic material” without intending to impregnate a woman.

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However, the bill does provide exceptions in the following circumstances: if the male partner uses protection or contraception, masturbates on their own, donates sperm, or is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
You may think this sounds ridiculous, but you will find no arguments against it from Rep. Anita Somani, who co-sponsored the bill with fellow Democrat Tristan Rader.

In an article for the Columbus Dispatch, Somani, a gynecologist, conceded that her arguments might appear controversial, but asserted that this was the objective.

She stated, “Is my bill offensive because it challenges traditional norms? It is possible. However, as an OB/GYN, I am opposed to any form of regulation of individuals’ reproductive rights.” She argued that such decisions should be made by the patient and the physician, without criminal penalties being built into bills that conservative organisations are promoting across the country.HuffPost has approached Somani for further details on the bill.In an interview with CBS Cleveland affiliate WOIO, Somani said there is no doubt about the damage restrictive abortion laws have had on women.She asked: “What other right do you know of where women have different rights based on where they live versus men?” She added: “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.”

“Men can go to any state in the United States and have the same rights no matter where they are,” Somani added.

Somani and Rader’s bill is similar to another bill with the same name recently introduced in the Mississippi legislature.

The bill proposes a graduated penalty structure, with an initial fine of $1,000 for a first offence, increasing to $5,000 for a second offence and $10,000 for three or more offences.In an interview with WOIO, Somani emphasised that her bill would categorise ejaculation as a felony, thereby underscoring the severity of the issue it aims to address.

“We shouldn’t be penalising reproductive care for anybody, and that, again, is why we have the felony piece of this bill,” Somani said.