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By Monica Sager
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A Mississippi state senator has filed a bill called the "Contraception Begins at Erection Act."
Democrat Bradford Blackmon's bill would make it "unlawful for a person to discharge genetic material without the intent to fertilize an embryo."
"You have male-dominated legislatures in Mississippi and all over the country that pass laws that dictate what a woman can and cannot do with her body," Blackmon told Newsweek. "One of the reasons why this legislation is so important is that with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, it has not only impacted women's ability to get abortion care but it has also affected women's ability to access basic gynecological care that includes contraceptive care."
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Why It Matters
Abortion and contraceptive measures have been a hot-button topic across the United States after the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Abortion is illegal in Mississippi as of July 2022, after State Attorney General Lynn Fitch certified the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision and made Mississippi's 2007 "trigger law" go into effect.
Requests for contraceptives, including long-term birth control and so-called "morning after" pills and abortion pills, soared after President-elect Donald Trump won the November 5 election.
Anatomically speaking, not every erection has to end in ejaculation. A person can experience arousal without necessarily releasing any semen. When someone ejaculates, it does not guarantee pregnancy because several factors can prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg.
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What To Know
Blackmon told Newsweek that the bill is meant to "point out the double standards in legislation."
"When a bill has been filed that would regulate what a man is able to do with his own body in his own home, it suddenly has people in an uproar," Blackmon told Newsweek. "I am trying to figure out when it is okay for the government to dictate what you do in the privacy of your own home. Apparently, it is when the laws regulate men."
The act would impose a violation of $1,000 for a person's first offense, $5,000 for a second offense and $10,000 for third or subsequent offenses.
The "Contraception Begins at Erection Act" would not apply to "the discharge of genetic material" that was done for donations or to be "sold to a facility for the purpose of future procedures to fertilize an embryo." It also is not meant to affect a person when there is "the use of a contraceptive or contraceptive method intended to prevent fertilization of an embryo."
Blackmon wrote that the act would take effect on July 1.
"The reactions from some quarters relating to my bill indicate that men are not held to the same standard when it comes to the intrusion into their personal private affairs as women have been held to with the reversal of Roe v. Wade," Blackmon told Newsweek."It is rich that the landmark Supreme Court decision of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization began it all, here, in the state of Mississippi."
Blackmon, 34, assumed office to represent the 21st district in Mississippi in the state Senate in 2024. He is on the state Senate committees for Medicaid, judiciary, insurance, public property and technology, the latter of which he is the vice-chair.
His previous bills include one to increase the noneconomic damages limitation other than medical malpractice, to adopt guidelines for tasers, and to revise the term "sex offense" to include a conviction of incest.
What People Are Saying
The Power to Decide told Newsweek it does not have a statement on the act.
Wendy Suares, the evening anchor at KOKH Fox 25, on X, formerly Twitter: "'CONCEPTION BEGINS AT ERECTION'- A Mississippi lawmaker filed this bill to make a point-While most bills relating to contraception/abortion focus on the woman's role, men are 50% of the equation."
American blogger and conservative talk radio host Erick Erickson, on X: "You can immediately tell this legislator is a Democrat because the piece doesn't mention his party affiliation at all."
Equity and social justice account Truth Matters, on X: "Mississippi is truly embracing the new Trump era.
"Senate Bill 2319
"Contraception Begins at Erection Act
"It shall be unlawful for a person to discharge genetic material without the intent to fertilize an embryo.
"It could get expensive to have some fun methinks. My biggest concern here is how do you police it. I knew there was a plan for Elon's brain implants."
What Happens Next
The bill was introduced on January 20 and must pass through the state Senate and state House to be signed into law. The bill requires a majority vote.
Update 1/23/25, 11:54 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Mississippi state Senator Bradford Blackmon.
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