http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Bill-defining-sexual-consent-in-Utah-passes-the-house-of-representatives-77449.shtml#.VNvoHUKrlUQ
The House of Representatives in Utah recently passed a bill with the revolutionary concept that- are you ready?- unconscious people can't consent to sex. Next week they'll probably pass a bill that states stealing from someone's house is still illegal even if that person isn't home, since apparently we are so bad at being decent human beings that moral codes need to be written down and strictly defined. Why was it never assumed that you have to be conscious to be consent? Who questioned this that you felt it needed to be made into a bill? Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy they approved this bill, I'm just irritated that something this obvious is questioned to the point it needs to be discussed. Anyway, this normal (and long overdue) bill wasn't really much to talk about until Rep. Brian Greene asked if sex with an unconscious spouse is ok. And thus I lost my hope for humanity completely. He has since apologized, but seriously? What is so appealing about having sex with an unconscious person that you refuse to wake them up (or detox them- God knows what scenarios he was imagining)? Or maybe he's just worried that having sex with someone wouldn't wake them up (in which case I feel sorry for his wife). In any case, no future rape cases in Utah will be able to use the excuse that the person was unconscious. Hallelujah.
Haha I always enjoy reading your blogs Alexa. I completely agree with everything you said -- how is it even a question that a person need be conscious to give consent for sex?! This is truly a ridiculous situation, but I guess I'm glad that they made a law clarifying it if people didn't know already. Good job Utah.
ReplyDeleteIt's so infuriating when people try to justify raping unconscious people with excuses like "if she didn't want that to happen she shouldn't have gotten drunk" or "well she's my wife/girlfriend so it doesn't matter." Seriously, what makes anyone think that having sex with someone who is passed out can be justified? Like Alexa and Payton said, it's really disheartening that this had to be said, BUT because we live in a country where it DOES have to be said, I'm glad it has been. Hopefully less disgusting frat boys will get off scott free for rape in Utah now.
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