Women Out In The Cold: Hey Ohio, You Decent?
Previous StoryNext StoryAs much as I hate to admit it, I grew up in Ohio.
A classy dame like me? Weird, I know!
For a long time people called it America’s Weathervane. A hub of midwestern culture, Ohio picked the President every election from 1960 until this last one.
Despite my six years in Tennessee, I watched with great interest as State Representative Jena Powell spoke before the Ohio Legislature in defense of women’s rights. She’s a Republican, of course. Representative Powell may not be the best feminist spokesperson, but the aggressive, frightening reaction she triggered made my blood run cold.
She was given the floor to introduce an amendment called the Save Women’s Sports Act, “a fairness issue for women to be able to achieve their dreams in athletics in our state, and is crucial to preserving women’s rights and the integrity of women and girl’s sports.”
As she talks about the girls losing out on opportunities across the country, the first objection is heard from the room: “Point of order!”
Before she finishes her sentence, someone begins banging loudly, could be a book on a table.
“This amendment will require schools that are part of the OHSAA – “
More shouting, each word punctuated with another thunderous bang, “Point! Of! Order!”
” – to designate separate teams – “
The shouting and banging become continuous, making Jena fight for every word.
” – for the biological sex. No school inters…” She only pauses briefly, long enough to shoot a withering look at whoever is interrupting her. “No school interscholastic conference or organization – “
The banging continues, but I guess he needed to catch his breath.
” – that regulates interscholastics shall permit biological males – “
The banging quickens, the same voice braying over it now in short, wordless bursts.
” – participate on an athletic team or in athletic competitions designated only for biological female participants.”
The howling carries on, there’s some shuffling and maybe one or two others begin banging on tables. Eventually, the Chairman is forced to stop her and address the issue.
The grownups were talking, darling! What is it??
The video isn’t very long and cuts off before we learn more. What was the Point of Order?? I need to know!
Extra info is scarce but, according to the local ABC affiliate, Representative Powell tacked her amendment onto a bill that had already passed the State Senate. Their bill was aimed at giving college athletes the right to profit from schools’ use of their likeness.
Jena’s amendment looks a bit out of place, but her own bill has been stalled in committee. And time is running short.
ABC says the Ohio Senate went around her the very next night, attaching the college profit scheme as an amendment to an unrelated bill. I guess they can’t be mad at her for that! But shouldn’t legislators be expected to show relevance like lawyers do? This kind of agenda-juggling erodes a lot of confidence in government.
And the sound of the baboon-level freakout coming from the State Representative off-camera is harrowing for a couple of reasons. The mental image is conjured up of a red face, gnashing teeth, books and papers flung here and there as you listen to them thrash around.
Aside from the unhinged nature of this performance, it’s even scarier if this is coming from the so-called ‘liberal’ party. All because a woman spoke up to defend our rights!
We know we can’t depend on conservatives to stand firm for women outside of our right to do Girly Things. Their moral panic working in our favor for once doesn’t mean they will suddenly support our bodily autonomy.
Hey Judy, how you been? Still chasing that fantasy, I see!
The fight over abortion and birth control is still raging, and Ohio is one of the worst offenders. Abortion is illegal in Ohio before many women even know they’re pregnant, thanks to the infamous Heartbeat Bill.
Representative Powell might want to ask them about that, too.
Because with Dems completely beholden to gender activism and few progressives in sight, being a woman is a pretty embattled position at the moment.
We’re going to visit family in Ohio over the July 4th holiday. It’s been a while, the kids are in for a treat. I’m nervous for lots of reasons, but that’s nothing new. It’s strange to be going home and leaving it at the same time.
Beyond politics, life goes on. A lot has changed in the last six years, but some things never do. As the culture war imitates the Summer weather, checking in with a few of them is sounding better all the time.
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