By Jack Kelly

This past week, a key provision to the American Affordable Care Act or what is commonly known as “Obamacare,” has come to fruition.  From now on, millions of woman will now have even greater access to preventative care, which is in part, a variety of birth control methods.  This key provision of the heath care law is a landmark achievement for woman’s reproductive rights and gives even greater control to woman over their bodies.  But what it also does, is culminate the progress of giving woman equal access to “sex.”  Yes, sex!  Because through out history, sex has been an act where only men are able to enjoy without ridicule or fear of pregnancy to their bodies.

When it comes to sexual activity, men have seemingly had a greater right to have and enjoy it.  Or more bluntly, have been able to come out of sexual activity completely ‘on top’; (no pun intended) or maybe there was, but is it a wrong assumption?  The old adage that if a guy has sex with multiple people he is a king, a conqueror, a hero even, while if a girl does, she is a S.L.U.T (Sexually Lustful, Ummmm Totally!!!!), a whore or whatever other misguided adjective has been attributed to such girls in history.  And what was their crimes?  Well, apparently, unlike men who were allowed to openly engage and pursue sex without restriction, woman who pursued sex in the same manner, were abnormal or ‘evil’ and unworthy of the princess treatment of a future shinning knight on a white horse.

This attitude of sex and woman has existed seemingly since infinity in our human history.  Although, some historical woman have challenged those assumptions, while others, either real or imagined, helped lay the foundation for which these attitudes have evolved from.  Let us look at the very first woman, if you’re a Christian, Eve.  Eve, who was created from Adam’s rib, was created by God because Adam needed companionship or something like that, we are told. (guys, imagine if it were that easy?!?!  None of us would have any ribs left)

Anyhow, we all know the story.  Adam and Ever were walking around the Garden of eden apparently naked, spiritually blissful and pure, until,,,,,Eve tempted Adam with the Apple.  Essentially, Eve acted as the devil’s liaison to tempt poor Adam into unsuspecting evil.  We all know what happened next; defenseless Adam ate the apple and we have been screwed ever since.  Such a shame, if it wasn’t for that devious Eve, we would still be running around naked and totally unaware of anything bad in the world.

Then came the legendary Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt and temptress of Roman Emperor Julius Caesar and his sidekick Mark Antony.  Cleopatra, who was further immortalized by a young and seductive Elizabeth Taylor, brought the very powerful Roman Republic to it’s knees. (again, sorry for the pun)  History tells us that she seduced two of the most powerful men in history at the destruction of the Roman people.  But unlike Eve, Cleopatra had a greater sense of control of the situation and the sexuality at the core of the story.  She was in stature, a Queen of immense power and was equal, to a point, to Caesar and Antony.  Our image of Cleopatra, is of a powerful woman who was comfortable with her sexuality; who did not suppress the exploits of her and Antony.  In addition, unlike the Eve story where Adam was depicted as an innocent victim in the naughty and sinister games of Eve in the garden, Antony and Caesar were depicted as willing participants.  Cleopatra became one of the first historical woman to demonstrate sexuality was an equal sum game to be enjoyed equally by all.

And like Eve, she chose a snake to compliment her.  The snake gave Eve the idea to give Adam the apple, and the snake bit and killed Cleopatra as a result of her sexual escapades with Antony.  Which begs the question, what is it with woman choosing snakes as a trusted and worthy companion?!?!

Anyhow, fast forward to modern times.  After Rome fell, the dark ages engulfed Europe, which turned many of our human ancestors to depend more and more on organized religion.  This trend stayed relevant for an impressive amount of time.  It wasn’t until the 1960′s things gradually changed.  Then the invention of The Pill further advanced the equality cause for woman.  But it wasn’t until Madonna and to a lessor extent Marilyn Monroe, was thrusted upon us that attitudes of sexuality and woman’s participation in such things truly changed.

Specifically, the 1991 release of the Truth or Dare documentary by Madonna completely changed forever how society and woman viewed their own sexuality.  Madonna told woman and society that girls can enjoy and pursue sex just like a man.  She demonstrated that a woman could be successful and sexually active without being negatively affected by ignorant stereotypes.  Although subtle, millions of girls who grew up listening to Madonna in the 80′s and early 90′s began to view sex as something that they could control.  It was no longer something to be given to a guy for the purpose of obtaining them as some sort of twisted gift, but something they were allowed to enjoy and reward themselves with, just as guys had always been able to do.

Now, because of these individuals and various other related events in history, the provision in Obamacare will help this process of equality even further.  Because of this provision, millions of woman will be able to more easily obtain birth control, thus making sex more of  an equal sum game between the sexes.  This greater access to birth control will continue to allow woman to protect themselves and more easily control their bodies as they engage in sexual relationships with whoever they choose to, without the fear of unintended pregnancies, just like guys can.

Does this signify an endorsement of promiscuous behavior? No!  Should men and woman both be respectful of themselves and their loved ones with their sexual behavior?  Of course, but this is not a discussion of moral behavior.  This is an answer to historic inequality in regards to sexual activity where men had an advantage over woman simply because of their anatomy upon birth.

So there ya go.  Now all we need is a female President to finish it off!! ( Or maybe a snake! Again, the pun)