Barry Hovis

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Barry Hovis (born 1964 or 1965) is an American politician and businessman. He has served as a Republican member of the Missouri House of Representatives for the 146th district since 2019. He was born in Lutesville, Missouri, and lives in Whitewater, Missouri with his wife Laura; they have three children. His professions include businessman and farmer.

In May 2019, while speaking in the Missouri House, he used the phrase “consensual rape.” He apologized and offered explanations, saying he meant to say “consensual or rape” and that there is no such thing as “consensual rape.” He later told KCTV5 that he was using street language about situations where someone got drunk at a party and then reported a rape in a “he said–she said” way, and that he did not realize the term was problematic until a colleague pointed it out. He described these cases as involving a difference of opinion between the two parties. There is no record of a final resolution of his explanations.