Oklahoma Republican Says Pregnant Women Are Nothing But ‘Hosts’ (IMAGE)


A bill that recently stalled in committee in Oklahoma has reared its ugly head again. On Feb. 8, HB1441, introduced by State Representative Justin Humphrey, received a 4-4 vote in committee, and people who value women’s lives breathed a sigh of relief.

Their relief, however, was short-lived. The bill is back and scheduled for a hearing on Valentine’s Day, according to The Intercept. Because nothing says romance like “I want absolute and total control over your body,” amirite?

To These Guys, Women Aren’t People – They’re ‘Hosts’

You don’t even have to dig down into this bill to find the appalling — and totally unconstitutional — language. It’s right there in the beginning:

Via screenshot from State of Oklahoma

Yes, you’re reading that correctly:

“…Prohibiting abortion to be performed without consent of the father; requiring pregnant women to provide identity of the father…”

The bottomfeeder who proposed this disgusting bill went further, letting The Intercept know that he places zero value on women’s lives and doesn’t see them as people:

“‘I understand that they feel like that is their body,’ he said of women. ‘I feel like it is a separate — what I call them is, is you’re a “host.” And you know when you enter into a relationship you’re going to be that host and so, you know, if you pre-know that then take all precautions and don’t get pregnant,’ he explained. ‘So that’s where I’m at. I’m like, hey, your body is your body and be responsible with it. But after you’re irresponsible then don’t claim, well, I can just go and do this with another body, when you’re the host and you invited that in.'”

Women are not people.

They’re merely “hosts.”

Of course, Humphrey’s argument isn’t really a new one, per se, but the anti-choice crowd doesn’t usually come right out and say such things in plain language. So, thanks for that, Rep. Humphrey. Thanks for making your abhorrent position perfectly clear.

Anti-Choice Politicians Want Women To Have Fewer Rights Than Corpses

Doctors cannot harvest organs from corpses unless that person has given permission before their death. It doesn’t matter if there are 15 people who could be saved with that person’s organs. If they didn’t give permission before they died, it’s illegal. That’s why they really want you to have that “organ donor” mark on your driver’s license – that’s your consent to medical professionals to use your body after your death to save others.

Doctors cannot force you to give up an organ when you’re living, either. In fact, I could legally refuse to give one of my organs to my own living, breathing child. Hell, I could refuse to give them my BLOOD if they needed it. Would I? No. But it’s still my CHOICE. And it’s your choice.

But once there’s an embryo inside a woman’s body, apparently all bets are off. She is no longer a person.

If you’re in Oklahoma, Representative Humphrey can be reached at the following address and phone number:
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Room  329B
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 557-7382

Or, click here to go to his website and send him an email.

Featured Image via OK State Legislature

Carrie is a progressive mom and wife living in the upper Midwest.