Hali Harrison

A newly proposed bill, the “Contraception Begins at Erection Act,” has sparked conversation among students at The University of Southern Mississippi. If passed, the satirical legislation would impose fines on men for discharging genetic material without the intention of fertilization.
The bill, introduced by Mississippi State Senator Bradford Blackmon, is intended to challenge double standards in reproductive rights. The legislation would make it unlawful for men to masturbate or engage in sexual activity without the "intent to fertilize an embryo," with fines starting at $1,000 for the first offense, increasing to $5,000 for a second offense, and up to $10,000 for any subsequent offenses. The bill would become law on July 1, 2025, if passed.
“The vast majority of bills relating to contraception and/or abortion focus on the woman’s role when men are 50 percent of the equation,” Blackmon said in a statement. “There is no need for an abortion bill if we regulate what men do.”
Mississippi is one of 12 states with a total or near-total abortion ban. Blackmon’s bill is a pointed response to supporters of Roe v. Wade's overturning. Though satirical, the bill has drawn attention to the ongoing debate over reproductive rights.
USM students shared their views on the legislation, which has gained both support and criticism.
“As a girl in the South, it feels good to see a man actually doing something to stand up for our rights,” said USM student Julie McLain. “I do think that the fake bill is a little weird, but I get that it was kind of necessary to make a point.”
While the bill's message has resonated with some, others question its necessity.
“I think if the bill was actually in place, it would be sort of unnecessary,” said Isaac Holladay, McLain’s boyfriend. “I feel like people out here have sex to get pregnant, so it seems a little excessive.”
Blackmon addressed criticisms in a Facebook post, defending the bill’s purpose.
“People can get up in arms and call it absurd, but I can’t say that bothers me,” he wrote.
The bill, however, faces an uphill battle in Mississippi’s Republican-controlled legislature.
The proposed law includes exceptions for sperm donation and the use of contraception to prevent fertilization. Despite its unlikely passage, the bill has reignited conversations about the role men play in reproductive rights.