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Mississippi state Sen. Bradford Blackmon has made headlines due to his new bill, the “Contraception Begins at Erection Act.” Introduced to the senate on Jan. 20, the bill would essentially prohibit and criminalize men for the discharge of genetic material (sperm) without the intent to fertilize an embryo, according to TrackBill. Essentially, the bill makes it unlawful for a person to ejaculate during sexual activity unless the intention is to conceive a child.
Offenders of the bill would face hefty finds.
If passed, offenders would face steep finds. A first offense would result in a $1,000 fine, while a second offense would increase to $5,000. For a third or subsequent offense, the fine would escalate further to $10,000. However, there are exceptions specified in the bill. Section 4 outlines that the law would not apply in two specific cases: (1) when genetic material is donated or sold to a facility for future procedures to fertilize an embryo, and (2) when genetic material is discharged with the use of a contraceptive or contraceptive method that is intended to prevent fertilization. These exceptions help carve out situations where the discharge of genetic material is not meant to result in pregnancy, particularly in clinical or controlled reproductive contexts.
According to TrackBill, the bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, allowing time for potential debates and amendments before it becomes law. With its controversial stance on regulating sexual behavior and contraception, the “Contraception Begins at Erection Act” is likely to generate significant legal, ethical, and social discussions. Its implications could reshape discussions about reproductive rights and personal freedoms, depending on its final form and implementation.
Blackmon says men should be held accountable for the role they play in contraception and abortion issues.
Blackmon stated during an interview with local news station WLBT, that it was crucial to introduce the bill in order to hold men accountable for both conception and abortion issues. He noted that they play an equally important role in the process.
“All across the country, especially here in Mississippi, the vast majority of bills relating to contraception and/or abortion focus on the woman’s role when men are fifty percent of the equation. This bill highlights that fact and brings the man’s role into the conversation. People can get up in arms and call it absurd but I can’t say that bothers me,” the Democrat said.
The state of Mississippi implemented strict abortion protocols following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. According to the Center For Reproductive Rights, on June 27, 2022, the Mississippi Attorney General certified the state’s trigger ban, which prohibits all abortions except in cases where the life of the pregnant person is at risk, or in cases of rape or incest that have been reported to law enforcement.
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Mississippi Sen. Bradford Blackmon Introduces ‘Contraception Begins At Erection Act’
was originally published on
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