# Alyssa Milano calls for "sex strike" **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 12, 2019, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858 "2019-05-12T17:32:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![spanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@spanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spanna)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/41 "2019-05-13T08:37:23Z")
> **[Withholding Intimacy Can Be Abusive, Too](https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/identifying-abuse/withholding-intimacy-can-be-abusive-too)** > > One survivor says her abusive boyfriend withheld intimacy in order to control her. Food for thought ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/42 "2019-05-13T09:37:40Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > In response to the Georgia abortion law (this thread is not about that law, but rather, about the sex strike in response) - actress [Alyssa Milano called for a “sex strike” in response.](https://www.clickondetroit.com/entertainment/alyssa-milano-is-calling-for-a-sex-strike-to-protest-strict-abortion-laws?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=wdiv4&fbclid=IwAR1pTBtn0is8VAwzcTuwYkAPTvkDhXfApIefIc-vL0iHRx4qOLOefDP4Rhk) > It quickly led to criticism, though - some people pointed out that this ‘sex strike’ [implies that sex is something only enjoyed by men and not by women and promotes the notion that sex is something women ‘give’ unhappily and men ‘take’ happily.](https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/12/opinions/alyssa-milano-sex-strike-abortion-drexler/index.html) Totally. The idea of women wielding the power of granting or denying sex should have been put to rest long ago. Secondly, a woman who would feel motivated to “strike” is likely to live with someone who shares her values. So, this would result in “punishing” only people who are already opposed to these laws. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/43 "2019-05-13T10:36:41Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Secondly, a woman who would feel motivated to “strike” is likely to live with someone who shares her values. So, this would result in “punishing” only people who are already opposed to these laws. A few people have said variations of this, but I’d like to suggest: 1. We assume the pro-choice/pro-life divide is nearly even. 2. Most (but not all) people will tend to marry people of similar views. 3. So we can roughly assume that 40% of married couples are both pro-choice, 40% of married couples are both pro-life, 10% of married couples have the wife pro-life and the husband pro-choice and 10% of married couples have the wife pro-choice and the husband pro-life. If Milano’s suggestion is aimed primarily at the last group, could it not have a positive effect? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/44 "2019-05-13T10:48:34Z")
The problem with a sex strike is that if this becomes a serious thing, Georgia will probably just legalize rape. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/45 "2019-05-13T11:12:42Z")
As amusing as Milano’s suggestion is, I agree that it’s not remotely practicable. She would do better to push for _Insatiable_ to be filmed elsewhere if she wants to have a real impact. > [@octopus](#): > > Seriously though, who takes their sex advice from some nutty Hollywood type? Who takes advice on women’s health issues from elderly conservative men who have repeated demonstrated they understand nothing about women’s health issues? Oh that’s right - the Republican Party. > [@Isamu](#): > > Is that like a missle strike but with sex instead of missiles? Sex bomb! > [@asahi](#): > > The problem with a sex strike is that if this becomes a serious thing, Georgia will probably just legalize rape. They don’t have to make it legal. [They just have to redefine it](http://goprapeadvisorychart.com/). ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/46 "2019-05-13T11:36:54Z")
> [@LAZombie](#): > > I’m against the weaponization of vaginas. > > Many years ago the very attractive wife of a Major League baseball player declared that if she ever found out her husband was cheating on her she would have sex with all of his teammates. Most people were bemused, but I found it rather disturbing. > > The player’s wife, like many other women, instinctively knew the anger and hurt she could inflict by using her sexuality in a way no man can. It triggers an animal like response in men. It’s the type of behavior that is tolerated in western societies but nonetheless destructive. she said she would even sleep with the mascot, Mr. Met ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/47 "2019-05-13T11:38:12Z")
If the strike were to happen, how long before there’s a call for scabs? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/48 "2019-05-13T13:10:23Z")
I have a ton of respect for Alyssa Milano. She’s not some flightly Hollywood type who just tweets opinions; she is a dedicated advocate who works hard for what she believes in and is in the right side of pretty much every issue. The fact Trumpists hate her is reason to admire her… … but this is a remarkably stupid idea, and the ugly implications are too numerous to list. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/49 "2019-05-13T13:16:55Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > If Milano’s suggestion is aimed primarily at the last group, could it not have a positive effect? No, because these people are unlikely to have any influence on which law passes. Secondly, blackmail is bad in general. Blackmailing your SO is even worse. And sex shouldn’t be used as a tool to control people. Especially, again, your SO. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/50 "2019-05-13T13:24:43Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I was going to post “The Alyssistrata” [applause] ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/51 "2019-05-13T13:52:32Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > (Although I suppose members of the legislature could technically pass legal measures to decriminalize marital rape, which in practice would accomplish the same thing, at least to the extent that husbands would once again run no risk of legal penalties for forcing their wives to have sex against their will.) > [@asahi](#): > > The problem with a sex strike is that if this becomes a serious thing, Georgia will probably just legalize rape. Then the guy better learn to sleep with his eyes open … my husband or SO who rapes me will be dead, or at best castrated. \ ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/52 "2019-05-13T13:56:45Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > No, because these people are unlikely to have any influence on which law passes. Well, let pro-life men go without anyway, because, frankly and ironically, fuck those guys. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/53 "2019-05-13T14:10:07Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > As amusing as Milano’s suggestion is, I agree that it’s not remotely practicable. She would do better to push for _Insatiable_ to be filmed elsewhere if she wants to have a real impact. Film and TV productions are already doing this: [https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/05/232482/hollywood-industry-fighting-georgia-abortion-ban-law](https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/05/232482/hollywood-industry-fighting-georgia-abortion-ban-law) Apparently, Insatiable is currently obligated to remain in Georgia at this time. ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/54 "2019-05-13T14:20:35Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Only the fifth decade? And can we finally go back to putting the toilet seat down and not waiting until half an hour before the mall closes on Feb. 13th to buy Valentine’s Day gifts, that doesn’t seem to be working either. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/55 "2019-05-13T15:13:50Z")
You know that somewhere there’s got to be some conservative woman who is purposefully having more sex with her conservative husband these days after reading about this, just to flout the strike. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/56 "2019-05-13T18:00:57Z")
If it does catch on men can just go on a “Killing Bugs strike” and women will fold faster than superman on laundry. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/57 "2019-05-13T18:26:33Z")
well with things like this going on they’ve got to do something to keep their rights …[MSN](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/stricter-abortion-bans-are-conservative-led-states-gambit-to-overturn-roe-vs-wade/ar-AABeLwV#page=2) ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/58 "2019-05-13T18:55:35Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > If it does catch on men can just go on a “Killing Bugs strike” and women will fold faster than superman on laundry. I (female) am generally the one in my household carefully removing the spider, wasp, or whatever. Sometimes I’m doing it to oblige a man who’s not about to go near it. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/59 "2019-05-13T19:09:10Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I (female) am generally the one in my household carefully removing the spider, wasp, or whatever. Sometimes I’m doing it to oblige a man who’s not about to go near it. Yeah, if men in general did go on a “Killing Bugs strike” I think they might be somewhat dismayed to find out how much of the terrified begging for their assistance was mostly or entirely a performance designed to pamper their egos. (Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t have revealed that in mixed company, but at least we haven’t let on about the jar-lids thing, right?) ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858/60 "2019-05-13T19:10:11Z")
All for the best, I say. Those wasps and spiders should live; they’re beneficial to the environment and for bug-killing. (Well, most of them) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858.md?page=4)