Michigan Lawmakers Argue Sex is Only Consensual After a Definitive “Yes” Is Involved

Sexual consent has been defined by a group of Michigan lawmakers. Earlier this week, a couple of legislators preparing to introduce their “Yes Means Yes” bill said there should be no confusion when it comes to what constitutes consensual sexual activity. They say only a “yes” under a sober tongue is acceptable and not anything else.

The bill, which is being sponsored by State Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. and State Representative Tom Cochran, will force schools to have “a more robust conversation” about what it means to have consensual sex. If passed, the bill would allow sex without a “yes,” regardless if the other person gives a definitive “no” or not, to be considered assault.

The bill even goes as far as to say that either party in a sexual relationship can take back their consent at any time during the act. Not even the dating factor will save a person from being brought up on charges because lawmakers argue that just because a person dates another doesn't mean they want to take it to a sexual level.

Of course, there are some obvious flaws in the bill that could cause some less than desirable results for a number of people. Most adults who engage in regular sex never really ask their partner in the throes of passion whether they want to do it. Sometimes that “yes” comes in the form of a loud “f**k me," while most of the time sex just happens naturally, as it should, without any issue.

Well, let’s just say that after a wild night in the sack, the relationship hits a rocky road. Maybe the man doesn’t want a dating relationship after the fact, but the woman doesn't want it any other way. Under this bill, there would be nothing stopping her from pressing assault charges on the man because she never said “yes” before sleeping with him. Furthermore, even if she did, how is that verbal exchange supposed to be proven in a court of law. Are we now supposed to record a binding sexual agreement on our cell phones prior to bumping uglies?

Also, if the consent can be revoked at any point during the sex act, then can consensual sex basically turn into a rape if the man doesn’t pull out within a stroke or two?

These are just a few of the questions that need to be addressed.

Some state officials argue that many college students do not understand what consensual sex looks like.

“Anything less than a yes means no,” says Detective Lt. Scott Wriggelsworth of the East Lansing Police Department.

We have a feeling this issue could get extremely tricky if this bill makes its way through the state legislature.