Legislators, or social engineers, are considering a bill that would give the state the right to decide who gets to have children. No, we are not talking about China. We are talking about the red state of Indiana, which maybe would rather be located in China.
If the proposed legislation passes, "Unauthorized Reproduction" will become a crime.
If Hollywood was making this movie, they'd call it: Patriarchs Gone Wild!
Or: The Reign of the Nazi Republicans.
Good fucking grief! What fucking country are we fucking living in?
Booman Tribune reports:
Republican lawmakers are drafting new legislation that will make
marriage a requirement for motherhood in the state of Indiana,
including specific criminal penalties for unmarried women who do
become pregnant "by means other than sexual intercourse."
According to a draft of the recommended change in state law, every
woman in Indiana seeking to become a mother through assisted
reproduction therapy such as in vitro fertilization, sperm donation,
and egg donation, must first file for a "petition for parentage" in
their local county probate court.
Only women who are married will be considered for the "gestational
certificate" that must be presented to any doctor who facilitates the
pregnancy. Further, the "gestational certificate" will only be given
to married couples that successfully complete the same screening
process currently required by law of adoptive parents.
As it the draft of the new law reads now, an intended parent "who
knowingly or willingly participates in an artificial reproduction
procedure" without court approval, "commits unauthorized
reproduction, a Class B misdemeanor." The criminal charges will be
the same for physicians who commit "unauthorized practice of
artificial reproduction."
According to an editorial in a Fort Wayne newspaper:
The Health Finance Commission will vote on the proposed legislation Oct. 20. While the panel’s “yes” vote won’t ensure its passage in the 2006 session, the bill will undoubtedly send a message that Indiana is an intolerant state. It should be soundly rejected.
It might or might not pass. The fact that it was written is enough to keep me forever out of the state of Indiana. Why any self-respecting woman would remain in the state is something the women of Indiana need to think about.
Morgaine at What She Said observes: "Now they want single women to suffer criminal penalties for becoming pregnant and have married women apply for permission to use reproductive technologies! Tell me again why we aren't supposed to call them NAZIS!?"
And from Media Girl: "Don't believe me? Read the draft legislation from the Indiana government's website (.pdf). Read the sickness. I've cut and pasted from the bill itself, line numbers and all. This is not science fiction -- this is Indiana!"
Copycat Republican legislators across the country will be watching this bill.
Self-respecting women in red states should think seriously about moving to blue or free-er states. While the federal government is indeed ruled by old angry white men and their obedient followers, it is still true that blue states remain something of a haven for women who value freedom.
We pay taxes, but as long as we are in red states, we have no representation, and we are always at risk of losing our fundamental right to self-determination.
Obedient follower, Sen. Patricia Miller proposed this Nazi legislation:
(317) 232-9400
(800) 382-9467
Email her via online form
Our Word, Feministing, and Tsuredzuregusa have more.
Unauthorized Reproduction Reproductive Rights Abortion Feminism Pro Choice Roe Republicans Indiana
