New York State Legislators Aim To Ban ‘Purity Exams’ After T.I. Comments
Rapper T.I. recently described his discomforting annual ritual of taking his daughter to a doctor to confirm that she if still a virgin. This week, New York state lawmakers introduced
Rapper T.I. recently described his discomforting annual ritual of taking his daughter to a doctor to confirm that she if still a virgin.
This week, New York state lawmakers introduced a legislation that would ban doctors from performing or supervising virginity examinations (purity exams), after T.I. broadcasted that he accompanies his daughter to a gynecologist each year to ensure that she is still a virgin.
Doctors who usually perform these exams, typically check to see if a female hymen intact, although medical professionals do not consider this a reliable indicator of pass sexual activity. A memo was attached ti the legislation notes states there is no medical or scientific definition of virginity. Virginity is a social and religious construct.
The New York bill, S6879, is sponsored by state Sen. Roxanne Persaud and the New York Assembly counterpart is sponsered by state Assembywoman Michelle Solages and co-sponsored by Rick Gottfried, Andrew Hevesi and Walter T. Mosley. Their legislation would penalize doctors for professional misconduct and potential criminal sexual assault charges for performing or supervising the exams.
T.I. talked about his daughter’s checkups on a podcast taping with hosts Nazanin Mandi and Nadia Moham during a discussion about talking to kids about sex.
“Not only have we had the [sex] conversation, we have yearly trips to the gynecologist to check her hymen,” T.I. said of his daughter Deyjah Harris, 18.
T.I. mentioned how his daughter’s doctor explained to him how the hymen can tear even without sexual intercourse. For instance, bike riding or other athletics, which is true. He seemed to push it aside by saying, “Look doc, she don’t ride no horses, she don’t ride no bike, she don’t play no sports. Man, just check the hymen please and give me back my results expeditiously.”
“It’s misogynistic, it’s appalling,” Solages told The New York Post. “I was horrified to see this was happening. If a celebrity can impose his power to ensure his 18-year-old daughter gets checked, imagine what can be done in households across New York state?”
