Birth Control, Abortion Battles Inspire Protest Legislation (PHOTOS)

Debates over birth control and abortion have taken center stage in the states and in Congress, with Republicans in many state legislatures weighing bills to severely limit access to both.

The controversies have inspired opponents in the legislatures to put forward their own bills and amendments, in order to highlight the unfairness of these bills to women. They include a resolution to grant "personhood" to sperm and an amendment forcing men who want Viagra to watch a graphic video about the possible side effects.

"What's good for the gander is good for the goose," said Wilmington, Delaware Councilwoman Loretta Walsh, who sponsored the sperm "personhood" resolution.

Here's a look at some of the bills and amendments put forward to make a statement on contraception, abortion and other issues:

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Comments

[Walrus Man]

04:39 PM on 03/29/2012

People do not care about what other women do and how often they want to have sex, as long as the government admits its responsibility of providing free contraceptives. If women think that abortion is their "right" I assume that they are willing to pay from their pocket, and they are not asking that the rest of the society pay for their "mistakes".

[SoCal John]

09:04 PM on 03/12/2012

With the current Conservative view that "Sex should be for Procreation only", one can only wonder how men would feel if ALL women followed that philosophy. I challenge all women out there to ONLY have sex for procreation until November. I think the number of men who would switch to voting Democrat would be astounding!

[WILLOBIE]

03:29 PM on 03/12/2012

First, men seeking Viagra prescriptions should be required to have a trans-urethral cystoscopy.

Second, if every sperm is sacred--and enjoys personhood, then many women and gays will become cannibals. I can't wait for Texas to execute the first fellatrix or fellator.

Third, not only will birth control become illegal, but condoms will be considered death traps.

Oh well, best not to take these things too literally.

[pmlinnlv]

03:09 PM on 03/10/2012

The "Grand Old Patriarchs" have set themselves up for a beat down in November. Can they dismiss these legislative measures with a straight face. Having no answers to the economy, foreign policy, energy or jobs they have decided to attack women and reproductive rights in an attempt to rally Americans in defense of the indefensible. Could they appear more clueless? With each passing day and each thoughtless remark it seems the answer is yes.

[sallybutt45]

12:50 AM on 03/10/2012

It's a tongue-in-cheek proposal, to show how ridiculous the personhood bill. I say that women should go on strike, withhold intimacy until all this nonsense comes to a stop! Of course there are the women that agree with the nonsense, and I say we simply label them "scabs".

[Pauline Seville]

09:16 PM on 03/12/2012

I like it!

Women of the World Unite - Maybe it's the beginning of a shift!

[prawn259]

07:35 PM on 03/09/2012

Our tax dollars at work. Isn't it reassuring to know that they'll all retired with a full pension for the rest of their lives?

[prawn259]

07:34 PM on 03/09/2012

The GOP continues it's backwards march into Hell.

[Bobbito]

05:14 PM on 03/09/2012

Next the GOP will pass legislation granting automatic Republicanhood
the instant of conception......

[oregonian68]

03:21 PM on 03/10/2012

I don't know why dems make a big deal out of birth control. Those who don't use it generally have litters of democrats..

[Bobbito]

03:58 PM on 03/10/2012

A litter? How dare you demean Dogs & Cats!
You are a Birthist!

[Michele LancasterWyatt]

02:23 PM on 03/12/2012

It's the Repubs that feel it necessary to be involved in your wombs' personal activity!

[stargazer13]

05:05 PM on 03/09/2012

I am very weary of having to be exposed to the GOP,s

social disorders

in fact I don't want to hear another peep unless it has to do with jobs and health care !!

and housing our homeless due to big banking,s bad business practices

[Paula Sacramony]

04:59 PM on 03/09/2012

And if a guy wants to get a vasectomy , he has to get permission from his mother, his wife, his mother in law and his mistress!!

Fair play !!

[not2 good]

04:49 PM on 03/09/2012

As far as sperm is concerned. Thank God for vasectomies.

[SoCal John]

09:07 PM on 03/12/2012

Oddly...also covered by Health Insurance...go figure

[not2 good]

10:45 PM on 03/12/2012

This post is attributed to me. This must have been the moderators who got my name confused with someone else.

[Ardessa]

04:45 PM on 03/09/2012

Hey think this will lead to a decrease in male Blindness and Hairy Palm Syndrome?

[Bobbito]

05:12 PM on 03/09/2012

You mean Hairy Palin?

[Ardessa]

09:05 PM on 03/09/2012

Oooh.. Good one... heh

[oregonian68]

03:22 PM on 03/10/2012

Got a sexist joke about Willow too?

[Andythelawyer]

04:30 PM on 03/09/2012

When a Democrat has a psychological problem he visits a shrink. When a Republican does, he visits a proctologist.

[chadizzy]

04:30 PM on 03/09/2012

Well Viagra is quite a bit different since there is no federal mandate that insurers have to cover it.

[GwenWare]

05:09 PM on 03/09/2012

Yet, all insurers DO cover Viagra. What's your point?

[SoCal John]

09:10 PM on 03/12/2012

Because with Bob Dole's support...there is no need. It is already covered.

[dancingstu]

03:48 PM on 03/09/2012

These seem like good ways to get the message across. Now, can we please get a bill making divorce illegal, so we don't have to worry about how same-sex marriage will affect all of us hypersensitive heterosexuals?

[Wizard Knight]

04:16 PM on 03/09/2012

I say we just make all marriage illegal. I can almost guarantee that my wife will agree, lol.

:)

[dancingstu]

04:50 PM on 03/09/2012

I get the feeling that the demographics would show 75% of men favor that proposal. I won't say which side I would fall on.