After Georgia Governor Gov. Brian Kemp signed a controversial anti-abortion bill into law on Tuesday, actress Alyssa Milano has called for a sex strike to protest anti-abortion laws. While some have supported Milano, many have found it counteractive.
The former Charmed actress used the hashtag #sexstrike to call on women to not have sex until Georgia repeals its abortion ban and returns women’s bodily autonomy. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed the legislation into law on May 7, CNN reported. The “heartbeat bill” bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which is typically around six weeks from conception and before many women learn they’re even pregnant. It includes exceptions for mothers at risk and in cases of rape or incest. According to Business Insider, the law leaves it upon for pregnant individuals to be prosecuted for miscarriages and for traveling outside out of state to get a legal abortion. The law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
On Friday, Milano tweeted: “Our reproductive rights are being erased. Until women have legal control over our own bodies we just cannot risk pregnancy. JOIN ME by not having sex until we get bodily autonomy back. I’m calling for a #SexStrike.”
Our reproductive rights are being erased.
Until women have legal control over our own bodies we just cannot risk pregnancy.
JOIN ME by not having sex until we get bodily autonomy back.
I’m calling for a #SexStrike. Pass it on. pic.twitter.com/uOgN4FKwpg
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 11, 2019
Some were quick to praise and support Milano’s call to action.
There are an awful lot of triggered men on Twitter this morning complaining about women making their own choices about what to do with their bodies.
Which is the entire goddamn point.#SexStrike
— Ben Jackson (@DadoftheDecade) May 11, 2019
Saw lots of people criticizing this idea today. I fully support a sex strike. It’s not admitting that we are here to service men. It’s reminding them that we have control over our own bodies and how we use them. Boycotting sex is an effective method of protest. #SexStrike https://t.co/WFHUw6UtZP
— ??BohoGirlResists?? (@KikiAdine) May 11, 2019
Our feminist foremothers fought for sexual liberation, which goes hand in hand with bodily autonomy. It’s up to us to protect it. Desperate times call for desperate measures. ??♀️ #SexStrike
— Maureen Shaw (@MaureenShaw) May 11, 2019
If women have total control over our bodies, we control reproduction. If you control reproduction, you control the work force. If you control the work force you control the economy. Get in the game ladies. #SexStrike
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) May 11, 2019
Your vagina, your choice!
I support the #SexStrike 100%.
I must admit though, I hope my wife makes the other choice.— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) May 11, 2019
While Milano’s “sex strike” was meant to be a form of resistance against anti-abortion laws, it was supported by multiple anti-choice activists such as Live Action founder Lila Rose and conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey.
I’m totally with you, @Alyssa_Milano, on not having sex. But the issue isn’t “reproductive rights.” The issue is reproductive responsibilities & fidelity. No one should have sex until they’re ready to embrace the privilege & responsibility of lifelong commitment & raising a child
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) May 11, 2019
First time I’ve ever seen a pro-choicer advocate for personal responsibility. Kudos! If y’all have a rally LMK I’ll be there
— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) May 11, 2019
Many on Twitter had an issue with Milano’s call, arguing that abstinence is an idea that conservatives push, that the strike reinforces the idea of sex is desired only by men, and that sex and women’s bodies can be used as a bargaining chip.
Lmao.
No.This actually SUPPORTS the idea that we’re just walking vaginas, and/or only here to serve men’s sexual needs. Also, my man ain’t vote these fools into office. https://t.co/80iqwgAaid
— Naima Cochrane’s Burner Acct (@stillnaima) May 11, 2019
Alyssa Milano is back being ridiculous again I see.
What is a sex strike going to do besides reinforce patriarchal notions that women have sex only to please men?
Lysistrata is not an effective organizing tool. Instead, fuck whomever and support abortion funds. #SexStrike
— Imani Gandy (@AngryBlackLady) May 11, 2019
2. This idea frames sex as something that hetero women are subjected to rather than enthusiastic participants in.
— Lara Witt (@Femmefeministe) May 11, 2019
4. Sex strikes don’t stop sexual assaults from being perpetrated—and I have to reiterate my earlier point because it’s really important: but a sex strike gives the impression that women’s primary function is as bodies for cishet men to have sex with.
— Lara Witt (@Femmefeministe) May 11, 2019
I have mixed feelings about #SexStrike.
I’ve been thinking that a strike would help things, but more in the vein of Women’s Day Off or Black Monday or Paro de Mujeres.
Framing sex as a heteronormative bargaining chip is… dehumanizing.
— Erynn Brook (@ErynnBrook) May 11, 2019
Living under patriarchy has already robbed me of safety, autonomy, opportunities, and trust in our institutions. Now I’m supposed to give up sex, too, and play into the fiction that it’s just a bargaining chip/transaction for women? Love you, but nope.
— Kristi Coulter (@KristiCCoulter) May 11, 2019
What if I don’t have sex with cisgender men? Does that make me a scab? I’m confused. https://t.co/zHuekvZTqR
— ChARYA Carruthers (@CharleneCac) May 11, 2019
Please stop feeding the narrative that women are providers and men are consumers of sex. Bribing men for equal rights with access to our bodies is not how feminism works.
— feminist next door (@emrazz) May 11, 2019
Founder of Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America, Shannon Watts, disagreed with the idea of a sex strike and suggested a grassroots approach to the protection of women’s reproductive rights.
Rape has nothing to do with sex – it’s about hatred and power, the same causes of women being stripped of their rights. A #SexStrike won’t bring back our rights – voting, supporting women candidates, running for office, and fighting like hell will.
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) May 11, 2019
Milano replied: “So you’re down with women getting the death penalty for obtaining healthcare? Getting life in prison? RE-implantation of ectopic pregnancies? Roe v Wade being overturned? As long as they try to roll back our rights, every time we have sex we risk jail time. Down With that?”
Milano has also advocated for the film industry to boycott the state of Georgia. According to Buzzfeed News, she refused to return to Netflix’s InSatiable if they continue to film in the state.
“If it doesn’t move to another state, I will not be able to return to the show if we are blessed with a third season,” she told BuzzFeed. “This is my leverage. I will use it for the betterment of society and our great country.”
While it seems that most people agree that limiting women’s reproductive rights with highly restrictive abortion legislation isn’t right, it looks like many are torn over the idea of a sex strike.