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Just when you thought it was safe again (Yeah right. When is it ever?), a club in Glasgow decided to install a two-way mirror in its bathrooms, making it easy for men to spy on women without the other party’s knowledge. For what purpose exactly? I don’t know. When you figure it out, let me in on the grand plan.
When confronted, the skeevy mcskeevs of The Shimmy nightclub claimed that the mirror was, “a design feature created as a bit of fun, an interactive feature which we hoped would act as a talking point for people visiting The Shimmy”. Of course! All I’ve ever wanted is for a stranger to come up to me in a club and open with a detailed narration of my activities in the bathroom. “Oooh girl, the way you pouted when you reapplied your lipstick was just so sexy” *record scratch sound effect*
If putting cameras in bathrooms is illegal, what made the dipsh*ts in charge of this joint believe that this would fly?
Respect. I think the word that best describes what I’m trying to get at with this blog. I feel like there’s this notion in society today that a women’s self-respect and self-worth lie completely between her legs, and because of this notion a lot of other social issues arise. I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve heard some variation of the phrase have some respect for yourself ladies and keep your legs closed. Statements like this pigeonhole women and keep society in that outdated mindset that all a woman is good for is sex and childbearing. Self-respect, to me, has to do with self-love and standing up for yourself and what you believe in. It’s like a reverse golden rule, “treat others how you would like to be treated” treating yourself that way too. Self-respect has nothing to do with how much sex you have or how revealing your clothes are.
So, “slut-shaming” is what I’m getting at now. “Slut-shaming” is the shaming or acting of woman, making her feel inferior or guilty for engaging in certain sexual behaviors that deviate from traditional norms or expectations. Girls do it, calling each other sluts with no self-respect because they make sexual decisions that are simply different from their own. And by doing this, they open a door for men and the rest of society to disrespect women and look down on women who simply have different viewpoints than their own. This just adds to the inequality of women and double standards, because you less often see anyone calling a man a slut with no self-respect.
So all of this serves to contribute to another, bigger societal problem which is “victim blaming.” It’s the mindset that women are responsible for being raped, or “they were asking for it,” because of the way they were dressed, the way they were acting or the amount of drugs or alcohol in their system. This culture in society emphasizes and teaches victims not to get raped, or not to do things that would promote getting raped, rather than punishing perpetrators and teaching not to rape. No matter what the person is wearing or how they may be acting, forced sex without consent is rape. Keeping in mind that consent cannot be obtained if the person is passed out drunk. So where did “rape culture” and “victim blaming” come from? Well if we’re allowing society to look down on women as “sluts,” then we can’t be surprised when that same society isn’t sympathetic towards them when they are raped.
Back to respect. Respect is essential to stopping “slut-shaming” and the problems that emerge from it. Having respect is having an open mind towards understanding that not everyone’s opinion on sex and how and when to have it is going to be same as yours. Rather than resorting to calling each other names, we should open our minds and our hearts towards understanding people who are simply different than ourselves.
In honor of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, Susan Rice–US Representative to the United Nations–released this statement and video expressing support for equal rights for all individuals and communities, particularly LGBT youth.
Today, as we commemorate International Day Against Homophobia, we rededicate ourselves to a basic but essential truth – that human rights are universal and must be protected for all. Homophobia, sadly, is present in every corner of our world. And, it is a problem we continue to face here in the United States.
At the United Nations, the United States is standing up for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and fighting to ensure that their voices are heard and protected. The United States was proud to co-sponsor and adopt an historic resolution at the UN Human Rights Council condemning human rights abuses and violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
We will continue to work in every possible arena to protect communities and promote societies in which everyone – especially LGBT youth – can live safely and without fear regardless of who they are or whom they love. We call on all nations and all peoples to join us in ensuring that human rights are universally protected everywhere every day.
http://reproductiverightsunsw.tumblr.com/post/50247350365
Wow! How time flies. I can’t imagine I am year older (again), thought I this morning when I received an SMS from a friend I have long lost sight of. It read thus; “Happy Birthday and many more years” This is a classical birthday message that anyone will send to a friend or even an unknown person, you might be thinking. But this is not the case for me because unlike in the previous years when I will just receive these messages and file, I have this year decided to carefully study these Birthday messages before filing or even deleting and as well carefully look through all the Birthday messages I have been sent at each one of these occasions.
Though written in different styles and strongly influenced by the nature of my relationship with the sender of the birthday message, there is a wish that was omnipresent in all the messages: Wishes of Good Health; which is what my friend’s, “Many More Years” in the above extraction from his birthday wish message to me seeks to express The result of this crazy study revealed to me how much Cameroonians care about their health.
The health of the average Cameroonian, like that of any normal human being in the world, is very important to him/her. What would vary might be the approach to ensuring that they stay healthy and maintain an equilibrium that is necessary for them to live a life worth living. Important as being healthy might be to Cameroonians, they are not unaware of the barriers to staying healthy. Talking about barriers to staying healthy in Cameroon, if you ask any Cameroon what the greatest barrier to staying healthy is, you would likely hear him/her answer ‘ACCESS’.
While it is clear from all indications that access to health is a stumbling block to Cameroonian’s staying healthy, it should be noted that even where these health facilities are available, users complain bitterly of the quality of the services rendered. Thus, it is common place to see a health practitioner sarcastically questioning a teenage girl about the reason for her pregnancy and making fun of her pregnancy by using very insulting and violent language. Worst still, it is common place to get a health practitioner who openly discusses results of the medical test of his/her patients without any sense of guilt or fear. The judgmental nature and lack of confidentiality in Cameroon’s health services is so widespread and across all spheres of society that a government minister recently declared that a journalist who had been tortured to death while in detention had died of HIV/AIDS.
With judgemental attitudes like these from health professionals and lack of confidentiality, no wonder an ever increasing number of pregnant teenagers refuse to go for prenatal checkups. To stay clear of insults and other traumatizing language and behaviours, they thus decide to stay at home with the risks that this carries.
It is high time the quality of health services in existing health facilities be improved so that patients, especially young persons, can have the best possible experience and not be afraid, for instance, to get an HIV test because they are not sure the results will remain between them and the health professionals.
The quality of health services, though often ignored, is an important factor in reinforcing the access of young people in particular and society at large to health facilities and should be considered as such by policy makers and health professionals. The availability of health facilities that have little or no consideration for the quality of the services offered creates more problems than it solves.
As government leaders, policymakers, healthcare professionals, NGO representatives, corporate leaders, and global media outlets gather in Kuala Lumpur to attend the Women Deliver 3rd Global conference to hold from the 28th-31st May 2013, it is my greatest desire that the quality of health services as they are now be carefully studied and appropriate action taken to make them less judgmental, more efficient, and more youth friendly.
Melissa Harris-Perry’s Panel looks at Elizabeth Smart’s recent comments on abstinence-only sex education and whether the policy is effective.
WATCH IT HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty_MA_mrow8
You could qualify for FREE birth control (what better way to celebrate National Women’s Health Week?). Find out here and spread the word to your lady friends.
Why Nothing has Changed…Yet.
Along with epidemic rates of sexual assault, a large part of the US military’s problem with these crimes is the rape culture that the structure of the military, under current rules, holds in place. We’ve known for a long time that the military had this problem, but things may have a chance of changing in the near future. Recent scandals have come to light over the past few months (and days) that demonstrate the structural failings that make this situation so dire. We’ve always been outraged that this kind of criminal behavior happens, but I don’t believe it’s until recently that those with the power to change things in the military have finally started to understand the real root of the problem.
To actually make a difference, to get real, positive results, you need to focus on how these crimes are permitted to occur, not just on the fact that they occur. The three examples below show why it’s so important that the way troops report their assaults and the way the military responds to these reports- changes.
1). Lieutenant General Craig Franklin
In early March, Lt. Gen. Franklin decided to overturn Lt. Col. James Wilkerson’s rape conviction. The jury of the military court had found him guilty of sexual assault; he was dismissed from the Air Force and sentenced to 1 year in prison. All of that went away, however, when Franklin, citing his “convening authority,” decided he wanted Wilkerson back at work. One man, without any legal training, overturned the verdict of a jury just because he wanted to. And under current military rules, it was perfectly legal. Not even the Secretary of the Air Force or the Secretary of Defense can undo Franklin’s decision.
In a letter, Lt. Gen. Franklin claimed that he would have been “entirely remiss of [his] sworn military duty and responsibility,” if he hadn’t overturned Wilkerson’s conviction. He lists a few reasons for his decision, several of which clearly place blame and suspicion on the victim. *Relevant Fact: The victim was staying the night as a guest at Lt. Col. Wilkerson’s house.
“The victim turned down three offers of a ride and seemed to have differing reasons why she wanted to stay.”
“The victim had trouble identifying and describing parts of the house, didn’t remember the attacker’s mustache, and didn’t correctly describe her path out of the house.”
As Senator Claire McCaskill correctly ascertains , “This letter is filled with selective reasoning and assumptions from someone with no legal training…” Andrea Mitchell also expressed her surprise at this policy on her MSNBC show.
“I don’t understand the Military Code of Justice, in that it was a reason for dismissal, for expulsion, from the military until last year if you violated Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Yet if you were found guilty in a military court of criminal assault, of rape, you could go back to your unit. How is that possible?”
How can you have faith in a system when if your report is taken seriously and if your case goes to trial and if your attacker is found guilty, it’s still possible to receive no justice? These are structural problems.
2). Lieutenant General Susan Helms
In late April, Lt. Gen. Susan Helms’ nomination for promotion to Vice Commander of Space Command was placed on hold by Senator Claire McCaskill when she learned that, similar to Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, she overturned a guilty verdict in a sexual assault case. Captain Matthew S. Herrera was sentenced to just two months in prison, but apparently Helms thought this was too harsh. She reduced the charge to “an indecent act,” and, in an internal memo, explained her decision in a way even more offensive than Franklin.
Helms wrote that it was not unreasonable for Herrera to believe that the woman had given implied consent.
Remember, this legal decision was based entirely on Helms’ opinion of what may have happened. She also wrote:
“It is undoubtedly true that [the accuser’s] feelings of victimization are real and justifiable.”
“However, Captain Herrera’s conviction should not rest on [the accuser’s] view of her victimization, but the law and convincing evidence.”
This is stunning considering that the legal system did indeed feel there was enough convincing evidence to convict Captain Herrera. From these comments, Lt. Gen. Helms clearly has no understanding of what rape is, yet she is legally permitted to overturn legal convictions based on this flawed understanding. It is a fundamental, structural flaw in the system that this is permitted.
3). Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Krusinski
Earlier this month, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski, head of the Air Force branch of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, was arrested in Arlington, Virginia and charged with sexual battery against a civilian woman he did not know in a parking lot. He has been removed from his position, which he’s held for only two months, pending an investigation. On Thursday, before a civilian court, his trial date was set for July 18th, though his lawyer had tried to get the date pushed back to October. He remained silent in the court room, only responding to Judge Richard J. McCue when asked if he understood the charge against him.
If the people in charge of preventing sexual assault commit it themselves, it’s no wonder that survivors have heavy doubts of their ability to receive justice. It is this fear, along with fear of retaliation and fear that accusing someone of sexual assault may cost the accuser their job or their chance at promotion. As Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said to Andrea Mitchell on May 7th, “Our big problem here is structural.”
Response from Air Force Chief of Staff, General Mark Welsh
During a hearing before the Senate Armed Forces Committee on May 7th, Gen. Mark Welsh was asked his thoughts on the military’s problem with high rates of sexual assault. His response is an example of why untrained commanding officers should not be the ones responsible for handling accusations of rape. This is what the Chief of Staff of the Air Force thinks the problem boils down to:
“Roughly 20% of the young women who come in to the Department of Defense and the Air Force report that they were sexually assaulted in some way before they came into the military. So, they come in from the society where this occurs. Some of it is, uh, a ‘hook up’ mentality. Junior high and even high school students now, which my children can tell you about from watching their friends and being frustrated by it. The same demographic group moves into the military. Uh, we have got to change the culture once they arrive, the way they behave, the way they treat other…”
Civilians choosing to have consensual, casual sex is the reason rates of sexual assault are so high in the military? If only female survivors of sexual assault would stay out of the military, there wouldn’t be this problem? Just because you’ve had sex in the past and just because you’ve survived sexual assault does not mean you’re the reason that sexual assault is so prevalent in your line of work. This is clear victim blaming. This is the reasoning of one of the top officers in the Air Force. Is it any wonder nothing gets done?! The. Problem. Is. Structural.
Two Steps in the Right Direction
1). Since April, those in “high-level military or intelligence positions” are no longer required “to disclose that they sought counseling when applying for a higher intelligence clearance.” This will be of great assistance to survivors of sexual assault, who “often forego counseling for fear it will effect their ability to rise through the ranks.” Think Progress shares the story of Jennifer Norris, former member of the Maine National Guard who got counseling after she was raped.
“But then it came time to renew the security clearance she needed for her job…”
“…she decided to leave the National Guard rather than ‘sharing that information with all those people when my husband didn’t even know.’”
This exemption now joins family, grief, marital, and post-combat stress counseling, which themselves have only been options since 2008. One study found that women in the military who had survived sexual assault were nine times more likely to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, so the ability to receive counseling without fear of your privacy being violated is essential for these service members’ mental health.
2). Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Barbara Boxer are preparing a bill to present to the Senate Armed Forces Committee that would make significant, structural changes to the way sexual assault is reported and prosecuted in the military. Gillibrand said in a statement to the Village Voice, “We have to reform how the military handles sexual assault cases and takes on the culture that perpetuates this kind of behavior.”
Gillibrand’s bill would apply [Secretary of Defense Chuck] Hagle’s suggestions by amending the Uniform Military Code of Justice’s Article 60 – the law would change so convening authorities cannot set aside convictions or change guilty ones.
She described the bill further to Lawrence O’Donnell of MSNBC on May 9th.
“We’re trying to write a bill that will change how men and women who are assaulted report these crimes so they feel that justice could be done. And so our bill is going to remove that from the chain of command and have them report directly to a trained prosecutor who knows these issues and knows how to investigate the cases and prosecute the crimes.”
“I think in that instance more men and women will feel comfortable reporting, you’ll have a better reporting rate, and justice will be done in more cases.”
Other Media on this Issue
The Invisible War- documentary
Lauren- online series
Senator Gillibrand- senate hearing
“Sadly, real or perceived controversy keeps schools from providing young people with the information and skills they need to become sexually healthy adults. Just like other topics taught in school, sexuality education should be developmentally appropriate, sequential and complete.
Irrational fear – the cultural belief that teaching young people about sex will cause them to have sex – keeps administrators and educators from doing what they know is best: providing young people with developmentally appropriate, sequential and honest sex education. Never mind that 30 years of public health research clearly demonstrates that when young people receive such education, they are more likely to delay sexual initiation, and to use protection when they do eventually become sexually active, than those who receive no sex education or learn only about abstinence. Withholding information about sex and sexuality will not keep children safe; it will only keep them ignorant.
Ninety-five percent of all Americans have sex before marriage. About half of all young people begin having sex by age 17. Providing a foundation of quality sex education is the only way to ensure that young people will grow into sexually healthy adults. It can augment what children learn at home and combat misinformation learned from peers or found on the Internet. Porn is not the best way for teenagers to learn about sex, but it will fill the vacuum when sex education is politicized and withheld from our classrooms.
Quality sex education should start in kindergarten. Early elementary school students need to learn the proper names for their body parts, the difference between good touch and bad touch, and ways in which they can be a good friend (the foundation for healthy intimate relationships later in life). Fourth- and fifth-graders need information about puberty and their changing bodies, Internet safety, and the harmful impact of bullying. And seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders are ready for information about body image, reproduction, abstinence, contraception, H.I.V. and disease prevention, communication, and the topic they most want to learn about: healthy relationships.”
Last week, governments from around the world met at the United Nations for the 46th Commission on Population and Development (CPD). Throughout the week-long deliberations, governments, UN agencies, demographers, and NGOs debated the topic of migration and its relationship to the 1994 ICPD Programme of Action—a groundbreaking declaration which signaled a major shift in population policy from one based on population control to one based on human rights, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH).
What’s migration got to do with sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), you ask? Well, just about everything.
Today, more women are migrating than ever before, representing nearly half of the total international migrant population, and in some countries, as much as 70 to 80 percent. And young migrants under the age of 29 make up half of all global migrants. During the process of migration, women and girls tend to be more vulnerable to human rights violations, particularly SRHR violations, including violence, exploitation, and sexual coercion. Moreover, migrant women and young people are also at increased risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections due to inadequate access to health services, including SRH services. As a result, ensuring access to SRHR information and services and protection of women’s and young people’s rights was our number one goal at the CPD.
So, how’d we do? Well, this year’s CPD proved interesting, to say the least. Traditionally progressive countries that fight every year to advance SRHR found themselves in a bit of a pickle given their countries’ rather regressive migration policies. Against the backdrop of comprehensive immigration reform playing out on Capitol Hill, the US delegation—typically a stalwart champion of young people’s SRHR and LGBT rights—sought to include language restricting access to non-emergency services to only those migrants who are documented or in legal status. The same was true for other Global North countries like the UK, Canada, Denmark, and the EU. At the same time, conservative countries with strong religious views (think Nigeria, Egypt, Qatar, Honduras, Malta, and Poland) joined forces with the Holy See (aka, the Vatican) to denounce any inclusion of SRHR or sexual orientation and gender identity. Discussions grew more and more tense by the day, resulting in an eventual breakdown of the negotiations and a final “take it or leave it” declaration drafted by the chair of the commission.
From a youth SRHR perspective, the declaration is just so-so. Here’s my take on it.
The Good:
The Bad:
And the Ugly:
After a groundbreaking resolution on adolescents and young people at last year’s CPD, we’ve certainly got our work cut out for us to ensure young people’s rights are front and center in the 20-year review of the ICPD in 2014 and in the post-2015 development agenda. We simply cannot afford to go backwards; we need forward progress if we are ever to see the full implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action.
Yes, when the point comes to discuss, I have strong reason to give about our Nepalese policy. Our policy is made more strong and democratic than most of the developed country of the world. But when the matter of the implementation of those policies comes, I myself have to look downward.
This time I want to concern towards different setting than the usual one. This time, I am writing about what I saw recently in roads of Kathmandu Valley. No I am not talking about strike and Traffic jams. But, talking about ‘Women Reservation Seats’ in public vehicles and implementation of that rule. Usually, I used to find public vehicles of Kathmandu valley very crowded; no different from that, the bus which I had taken to visit my college was also crowded yesterday. But, to my surprise there was one empty seat where no one was siting. As, I entered the bus, one mid aged man tried to catch that seat and then suddenly, assistance of bus quickly asked man to stand. He added it was reserved for Women.
Most of the time, I used to see the women reservation seat occupied by man. Nobody used to raise voice regarding this issue. Even, Women seems ignoring these things. Now, slowly and gradually the change is seen within the people of urban areas especially of Kathmandu valley. Men are being more supportive to women rights. This will definitely progress towards beautiful future.
It is matter of gratitude for me now. I want to see implementation of other policies also effective. I want to see beautiful, bright Nepal.
Women deserve to be treated equally in every aspect of life. Join froces to support the women who serve dutifully in the Peace Corps.
What are rights?
Rights are entitlements that every human being has regardless of sex, race, religion, nationality, disability or any other differences.
Who gave us rights?
All human beings have rights. They are inalienable — which means they cannot be taken from you by anyone, including the government, law enforcement officials, doctors, religious leaders, your boss, members of your family, or your spouse.
Do women and men have different rights?
All human beings, women and men, have the same rights and freedoms. Some rights are specifically related to women, (e.g., rights related to sexual violence, pregnancy and childbearing).
Do women and men have different responsibilities?
All human beings have the responsibility to protect and ensure the rights of others. No one woman or man has the right to deny or violate another person’s rights.
Who has the responsibility to protect our rights?
International conventions hold governments accountable for protecting the rights of their citizens. However, all of us have a responsibility to respect and protect the human rights of others.
Why are there international documents on human rights?
After the terrible human rights abuses that happened during World War II, the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations (UN) drafted a Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
People from around the world contributed their ideas and beliefs to this document. The General Assembly of the UN adopted the UDHR in 1948.
It describes the inalienable rights of all members of the human family. Since then, many more conventions have been written that describe human rights and the rights of particularly vulnerable groups, such as women.
What is a convention?
A convention is a document that defines human rights. It is a legally binding international agreement between countries. When a country ratifies a convention, it means that they agree to ensure that the rights described in the convention are enjoyed by all people in their country or jurisdiction.
What is the difference between a convention and a declaration?
Conventions are a part of international law and are legally binding to state parties. Declarations are non-binding but carry significant moral commitment and responsibility in the international community.
Below, common experiences women face are listed with references to the articles in various conventions and declarations that protect and promote their rights.
Which conventions relate to women?
The International Bill of Human Rights includes: the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights (ICCPR), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
All of the articles in these documents apply equally to women and men.
The Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discriminations Against Women (CEDAW) offers the most comprehensive coverage of women’s rights for both public and private spheres.
Other Documents that are important for women are:
The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (DEVAW).
Women’s Rights and the United Nations Conventions that Protect Them Equality and Non-Discrimination
1. Women have the right to be treated equally under the law and to be protected by the law without discrimination. UDHR 7; ICCPR 14; CEDAW 2c, 15:1,
2. Women have the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. UDHR 18; ICCPR 18
3.Women have the right to freely express their opinion without fear or punishment. UDHR 19, ICCPR 19
4. All human beings have the right to live in a world where their rights and freedoms are respected. UDHR
Work and Education
1. Women have the right to work and to freely choose their job. UDHR 23:1, CEDAW 11
2.Women and men are entitled to economic, social, and cultural rights that allow them dignity and freedom as individuals. UDHR 22, ICESCR 1
3.Women have the right to rest and leisure. UDHR 24
4.Women and girls have the same rights to all forms of education as men and boys. CEDAW 10
Participation
1. Women have the right to participate freely in the cultural life of the community and to enjoy the arts and all the benefits of scientific progress. UDHR 27,CEDAW 13c
Marriage
1.Women have the same right as men to freely choose a spouse and not be coerced into a marriage. UDHR 16, CEDAW 16:1
2. Women have the same rights and responsibilities as men during their marriage. CEDAW 16:1
3.Women have the same rights as men when a marriage ends. CEDAW 16:1c
4. Women have the same right as their spouse to family planning services. CEDAW 12:1, 14:2b, 16:1e
5.Women have the same rights as their spouse to choose a family name and a profession. CEDAW 16:1g
6.Women have the same rights as men with respect to their nationality and that of their children. CEDAW 9:1, 9:2
5.Women have the right to own goods, land, and other property. UDHR 17, CEDAW 16h
6.Women have the same rights and responsibilities as men toward their children regardless of their marital status. CEDAW 16: 1d
Violence Against Women
1.Women have the right to protection from violence within the family. CEDAW 1 and 16, DEVAW 2a
2.Countries should condemn and put an end to violence against women including trafficking and forced prostitution. DEVAW 2b
3.Women have the right to the highest attainable level of physical and mental health and the right to equal access to health services, including family planning. CEDAW 12, DEVAW 3f
4.Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person. UDHR 2, DEVAW 3a, c
5.Women have the right to live without suffering, torture, or any form of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. UDHR 5, DEVAW 3h
What can you do to promote women’s human rights?
1.Educate friends, family, colleagues, and the community about women’s rights and the conventions.
2.Share this information sheet with others and discuss what you think about the conventions.
3. Educate women that the violence happening against them is a violation of their human rights and international law.
4. Encourage the media to publicize human rights violations.
5. Lobby your elected officials to change the law to better protect women’s rights.
6.Elect officials who understand human rights and will promote women’s interests and equity.
7. Volunteer your time and energy at your local human or women’s rights organization.
Transgender women are the fastest growing population of the HIV-positive. The National Institutes of Health came out with a report, noting that almost a third of transgender Americans have HIV. Trans women of color specifically are at a greater risk than their white sisters. Through a survey, it was found that 56% of black trans women have HIV. The 2009 study from NIH also noted that many transgender women may not even know their HIV status. With an alarming statistic like this, we have to wonder what’s causing it.
When individuals are thrown into social injustice, it can be difficult to escape from. Trans women are profiled and disproportionately targeted and arrested by the law enforcement. The police will try to use condoms as evidence of sex work, so trans women face the “choice” of keeping themselves and their partners safe or getting arrested. When they’re forced into jail, trans women are often housed with male inmates or they are put into solitary confinement, as if either path is any better. Sex workers are generally more likely to be HIV-positive than those who are not engaged in sex work, but because of the disproportionate targeting of trans women, trans women sex workers’ risk for HIV is four times greater.
While sex work is a valid way of meeting financial needs, some trans women turn to it as an option because of discrimination in employment. In most of the United States, it’s completely legal to turn down or dismiss a person based on gender identity and sexual orientation. People can even be denied housing or become evicted because of their gender identity and orientation. This leaves a dangerously negative and significant impact on their economic well-being and safety. It also makes it difficult for trans women especially to keep up with their hormonal therapy, since it’s often not covered by insurance, if they can even pay for that insurance with what the circumstances are. With lack of access to basic health care, many incompetent doctors, clinics, social stigma, and overall institutions that discriminate against trans women, especially those of color– it’s all a very nasty formula expressing why trans women are hit so hard with HIV.
So, what can we do to help? Trans people are often absent from public campaigns for sexual health and safety. We can start by including them into that, and into many of our discussions and campaigns of social justice as well. We could get trans-specific in our literature in safer sex guides. We could also set up community centers as a safe space for trans people and create some peer groups, which would be strong social networks and a good use of peer outreach for safer sex and HIV testing. And of course we could and should create social support and do our part to de-stigmatize our trans brothers and sisters. Look up a local or national activist organization today.
After global celebrated and sensitized ’16 days of activism’ to end Violence against women, the scenario of South Asia regarding this issue suddenly changed. ‘Delhi Rape’ case went into such hype through mass protest that during the moment world was observing India as a newly emerging ‘Gender Equity’ country. The wind of that rape case and street protest not only was successful to flow on Nepal but in whole South Asian countries.
Especially focusing on Nepal, the issue raised by the social activist to end VAW and establish ‘Gender Equality’ slowly started with peace protest. The campaign named ‘Occupy Baluwatar’ was successful enough to catch the attention of the public people living in Kathmandu valley from its beginning only. As most of the campaigners were young people, this showed how much young people are concern towards ‘Gender Equality’ and ‘Human Rights’ issue. Daily, with no stop at any day from 9am to 11 am, campaigners raised voice to end VAW. This also became an example for the people and especially leaders of political parties, that there other way to protest and make authority hear their voice.
However, the protest was unsuccessful in making government committed to fulfill their demand. Some also believed that the protest was guided politically, as name of few culprits was elevated.
Concluding, Occupy Baluwatar campaign can be seen as a longest peace protest of Nepal to end VAW and was successful somehow to aware people regarding any king of VAW.
For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_Baluwatar
Tennessee state lawmakers decided to pass a resolution this week. Before I tell you what the resolution was, let me give you a quick background on how Tennesee deals with its social issues. The bills that have been introduced in this state include: school prayer, fines on students who have saggy jeans, public displays of Christianity’s Ten Commandments, public access to the names of doctors who provide abortions, and the most “popular” is the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill which would prevent teachers from ever discussing homosexuality. Tennessee has also pushed the education system to teach the “controversies” of evolution and climate change. This state has also made an attempt to deal with its high teen pregnancy rates by restricting discussion in sex education, in fear that a truly comprehensive lesson might be arousing to the teens.
The latest endeavor has the state of Tennessee set to celebrate “Traditional Marriage Day” on August 31st, after passing a resolution to dedicate such an observation on the date. Gay rights activists are pushing against this measure. They declared that August 31st should be called “Tennessee Marriage Equality Day” instead. Chris Sanders of the Tennessee Equality Project suggested that these two different advocate groups have similar goals. He was quoted saying, “We’re not opposed to traditional marriages, but we believe traditional marriage is for everyone.”
Now in the “Traditional Marriage Day”’s defense, advocates for the measure claim that the day is merely about pointing out the economic benefits of getting married, hoping that more couples would be encouraged in doing so. It surely has nothing to do with stigmatizing and railing against marriage equality. No, of course not. Yet the official written resolution itself quotes the Christian Bible and in a clear statement says that marriage is to be “expressed only between a man and a wife.”
This is strange. If “Traditional Marriage Day” was simply about encouraging couples to get married and enjoy economic benefits, then why should same-sex couples be prohibited from doing the same? And isn’t every day pretty much Traditional Marriage Day then? I mean, especially in Tennessee where a state constitutional amendment was passed in 2006, banning marriage equality. This measure was supported by 81% of voters and since then, Tennessee has seen little progress on this issue. But activists are still fighting.
Check out the Tennessee Equality Project’s Facebook page and proclamation!
« KO! KO! KO! », shouted the crowd .Mind you, they weren’t participating in a boxing match, neither were they at a musical concert, they shouted KO! in response to the health officials that took turns in sensitizing the crowd of more than 5000 that gathered at the Douala Place du Gouvernement to participate in the 9KM sensitization Walk that was organized by the Cameroon’s Coalition of Businesses for the fight against HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis and better known by its French acronym CCATSIDA, Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health, and other stakeholders (local and international) in the fight against Malaria this Saturday 20th April 2013.
Being a participant, I could not help but be marveled at how engaged fellow participants were as we criss-crossed the streets of Cameroon’s most populated town. Young and old, and from diverse horizons, one thing united this people; that Malaria be kicked Out of Cameroon.
This passion and demonstrated in the endurance of the participants all through the alertness of their footsteps and the smile on their faces, could not however stop me from asking myself fundamental questions around the strategy for the fight against Malaria in my country. Thus, when one of the thousands of spectators that had amassed at streets corners shouted, “Where are condoms?”, there was an outburst of laughter from the crowd, I began asking myself what might have prompted this spectator to ask the question he did. As I thought about this, my eyes fell on the logo of the Cameroonian Coalition of Businesses for the fight against HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis and on the T-Shirt of the participant ahead of me, my answer was here. The words AIDS on this coalitions logo prompted the question from this spectator.
AIDS and its prevention methods are better known in Cameroon than Malaria and its means of protection. This is paradoxical given that Malaria kills in Cameroon and Sub-Saharan Africa than HIV/AIDS. Mind you, I am in no way saying that resources (human and material) should be shifted from the fight against HIV/AIDS, which is causing havoc in Cameroon especially amongst youths, to the fight against Malaria. The point I am trying to make is that the fight against Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Tuberculosis has for long been done as though they were isolated.
It is true that a person that has Malaria or Tuberculosis is not automatically an HIV/AIDS patient, but most often people suffering from HIV/AIDS in Cameroon are victims of the Malaria and tuberculosis given the milieu in which they live and the little means they have to survive on.
I have for long being convinced that an effective fight against Malaria cannot be done in an isolated manner but must be inclusive; taking into consideration the vectors of the disease in various communities in Cameroon. A dirty environment provides good breeding grounds for Mosquitoes especially the female Anopheles mosquito, through which Malaria is spread, the fight against Malaria must start from there. If a clean environment is achieved through mechanism through efficient urban development and poverty reduction strategies, Malaria will be made history. After all, isn’t it common knowledge that prevention is better than Cure?
In Cameroon and I guess is the case elsewhere in the world, a change from a dirty and crowded environment to a cleaner environment is the main indicator that a person has emerged from poverty. This is so because people who could barely afford 3 meals a day will have little time to think about the environments in which they live talk less of women in this bracket going for prenatal consultation or even having time to take their infants to the hospital when they are sick. Thus, despite the bed-nets distribution campaigns that have been organized all over Cameroon and despite the fact that Malaria treatment is free for children and pregnant women in Cameroon, Malaria killed more than 3000 people most of whom children.
Without an efficient attack on poverty, which is fertile ground for poor living conditions, I am afraid our walk and much talk on the fight against Malaria will be in vain. For Malaria to be kicked out of this country, we must not only walk on occasions like those organized to mark the World day for the fight against Malaria, we must truly walk the talk on the fight against Malaria daily, by launching an immediate assault and poverty. Because Malaria is the consequence of a dirty environment which is its self a glaring consequence of poverty.
The recent news about two ordinary migrant Nepali workers in Malaysia being injured and nine arrested is creating much concern here in Nepal. As of now, Malaysia is one of the most favoured workplace for about half a million Nepali migrants.
The statistics go to reveal that Malaysia has the second highest migrant Nepali workers while Qatar has the most Nepali labour. This recent incident should be taken seriously as the remittances coming from Malaysia is about 20 per cent of the total remittances that flow into Nepal, and this is growing with more Nepali migrant workers opting for Malaysia. The protection of Nepali migrant workers in various countries must be taken up seriously. The Nepal Government should be working through diplomatic means in order to protect the workers abroad. Because of the lack of safety many migrant workers to the Gulf and South East Asian countries feel insecure and have to face attacks and abuses, and in some cases they even lose their lives.
Now, it has been mooted that the government take labour-centric economic diplomacy seriously. So far, we know this is virtually non existent. It goes without saying that the government should without fail sign and renew labour pacts where there are Nepali migrant workers so that the Nepali nationals are protected in the foreign lands. The tragedy that recently took place in Malaysia can be seen to be because of the failure to enforce labour-centric economic diplomacy. Experts are of the view that the safety of Nepali migrants should be guaranteed. The importance of remittances sent by Nepali migrant workers is clearly now the mainstay of the Nepali economy. What we have now is only a couple of labour attaches who were appointed only after immense pressure from various quarters. Such attaches should be appointed in all the host countries of Nepali migrants.We need to have people who know better about migrant worker-related problems. This would obviously make it necessary for the needed mechanism and infrastructure be put in place immediately. The diplomatic missions in the Gulf countries and Malaysia should without fail have adequate staff and resources as the Gulf countries and Malaysia have the highest number of Nepali migrant workers. This matter should be taken up immediately without any dillydallying because the remittances have assisted in keeping the economy working. One dreads to think about what would happen should these remittances be halted. As for now, the dispute between the Malaysian and Nepali workers should be probed by the concerned authorities. This is crucial considering that for the immediate future there is no alternative to remittances to bolster the Nepali economy. When Nepali workers opt to work abroad let them be assured of their safety.
The security of Nepali migrant workers is a crying need. The outsourcing agencies apart from keeping a record of the migrants should keep in touch with them. This would be very helpful and should be made mandatory. As is the case now, such records are lacking. One wonders about the suffering of thousands of Nepali migrants with nothing to avert their plight.
So far, I have refrained from blogging about the Boston Marathon bombings lest I explode into a ball of fire from the rage I feel. It’s always interesting to see the way that mainstream media latches onto stories about tragedy. Before it’s all over, the story has been told one million different ways, with everybody and their mother having been invited to weigh in. I kid you not, last Friday, every time I tuned the radio to NPR, someone was spouting some kind of analysis or the other. It’s always the same – “experts” postulate, and close friends and family talk about how the perpetrator was someone who could never have done whatever it is that was done.
In the case of the Tsarnaev brothers, take away the death and injury, and it’s almost funny to see how confused America is as to how to treat them. The way things usually go is that people of color, no matter whether they are actually victims in the situation (*cough cough* Trayvon Martin), are portrayed as “thugs”, while their Caucasian counterparts are always the quiet, awkward, friendless young men who are subsequently proven to be mentally imbalanced in cases. Yeah, he didn’t have any friends so he decided to shoot a theater full of people whose only crime was wanting to see the new Batman movie.
On one hand, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is, for all intents and purposes, a Caucasian fellow. He is also an American citizen. Logic dictates that this case would be treated as an instance of domestic terrorism. But on the other hand, there are rumors of Muslim involvement, and he is also brown-looking, so this must be an international crime against America right? At least that’s the way the public is reacting to the media coverage. People danced in the streets with the American flag the way that they danced in front of the White House when Osama bin Laden was reported dead. The media is constantly highlighting any possible ties to Islam, because somehow that makes it all much more justifiable. Do you see how Islamophobia is constantly being bred?
Tarring all people who fit in a specific category with the same brush is what leads to situations like an innocent woman being harassed in the street and blamed for the bombings simply because she was wearing a hijab. Let us not forget the false accusations leveled by Redditors against missing Brown University student Sunil Tripathi. Usually I love the internet because of its bountiful provision of Corgi photos, but stuff like this makes me wish I could take away internet privileges from some of these really ridiculous people who think it’s ok to sit in judgment, protected by the afforded anonymity of teh interwebs. Seriously, if I was the parent of one of those wanking, racist kids on Twitter, spouting ignorance, he/she would have the fear of Cthulhu put into him/her…and also wouldn’t be able to sit for a month.
Seriously, people. Stick to your day jobs and leave the policing to the actual judiciary system. Also, stop being so racist and judge people for their actual crimes rather than their religion or where they come from. If every ignorant thing said about groups of ethnic minorities were true, according to Oprah, I’d be a criminal regardless of my level of education (Ask me again why I have no respect whatsoever for that woman).
Transgender Woman Arrested for Exposing Breasts, Jailed With Men
Trigger warning: transphobia
A transgender woman from New York was arrested in Savannah, Ga., last week for allegedly exposing her breasts, reports Savannah’s WSAV. But when deputies booked Ashley Del Valle, 38, she says a nurse examined her genitals, and determined that she was “technically a male.” As a result, Del Valle was placed in a holding cell in the men’s prison ward.
“I also came to realize that the focus on personhood ignores the fact that a zygote, embryo, or fetus is growing inside of another person’s body.”
| — | Libby Anne, “How I Lost Faith in the ‘Pro-Life’ Movement” |
This is really important to consider. You absolutely can advocate for a zygote, embryo, or fetus. But understand that in doing so, it subsequently infringes on the rights of the person this being resides in.
Giving a fetus personhood is not equality. No one currently has the special right of using another’s person body without constant consent.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights have filed a lawsuit to block an Arkansas law banning abortion care after 12 weeks from going into effect.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe had vetoed the extreme measure in March, citing concerns that it violated Roe v. Wade and that subsequent legal challenges would prove “very costly to the taxpayers of our state” as the “costs and fees [of defending an unconstitutional law] can be significant.” The Legislature overrode Beebe’s veto in March.
The suit seeks a preliminary injunction against the law, which is set to take effect in July.
“This law is one of the most dangerous assaults on women’s health that we’ve seen in decades,” said Rita Sklar, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas. “We may not all agree about abortion, but we can all agree that this complex and personal decision should be made by a woman, her family, and her doctor, not politicians.”
And not just women, of course. Everyone is entitled to reproductive/sexual healthcare and rights.
Read more here: http://www.salon.com/2013/04/17/arkansas_abortion_ban_faces_legal_challenge/
When debating whether a fetus’s “right to life” trumps a woman’s “right to choose” — or whether the news media has paid enough attention to the trial of a Philadelphia doctor who allegedly killed seven babies born alive during late-term abortions, as well as a pregnant woman — Americans are bitterly divided on abortion. Before abandoning facts for rhetoric, let’s tackle some misunderstandings about this procedure’s history and impact.
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-abortion-rights/2013/04/18/bd53c884-a5e5-11e2-b029-8fb7e977ef71_story.html
Remember to always reduce, reuse, and recycle.
And maybe start some eco-feminist discussions?
Enjoy some Captain Planet.
Gonna take pollution down to zero.
Social justice and environmental justice have a very direct
correlation. The environmental movement and the feminist movement both
advocate for the health of humanity, but in different ways. There are
many subject matters that exemplify this intersectionality.
For example, the way people use and abuse nature can easily be
compared to how society uses and abuses women.
Toxic Chemicals. We clearly need to do something about how easy it is
for major companies to slowly pollute our bodies and our earth. There
are over 84,000 chemicals in popular consumer products and only 200
have been tested. When chemicals even are tested it is primarily on
men, so these companies clearly do not care about the effect they are
having on women’s bodies. Some of these chemicals are made from toxins
that pollute our water and air. Many of these chemicals have been
shown to cause infertility, low sperm counts, sexual dysfunction,
miscarriage, and different types of cancer. Not to mention women use
personal care products far more often than men and are therefore more
negatively affected. Here at ETSU we’re celebrating Earth Day with a
festival and a young man best summarized it when he said “unnatural
chemicals don’t make natural beauty.”
Not everyone can afford ridiculously expensive so-called “natural
organic” personal care products to keep themselves and their children
healthy. In addition, toxic waste dumps are disproportionately located
near minority communities. Women of color are targeted by systematic
racist beauty standards convincing them to buy hair relaxers and skin
lightening creams with chemicals that have severe damage potential.
For example, the chemicals found in common African-American hair
products are known endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs are
linked to a range of reproductive health issues, like premature
puberty, gynecologic cancer, and birth defects. Look at who is hurting
the most by toxic chemicals. This is clearly a social justice issue
activists need to rise up against.
Quick Fact: 80% of federal transportation funds go to highways while
only 20% goes to mass transit. Not only does this hurt inner city
communities, but it’s a contributing factor to global warming.
Reproductive Justice. You know what’s really hurting our resources?
Overpopulation. People are using up far more than they need to and it
is growing out of control. If reproductive health options were more
readily available this would alleviate a great deal of that
environmental strain.
Here is a quick review on what the Toxic Substances Control Act is and
why we need it to be updated. This site also helps teach you on how
you can help.http://www.saferchemicals.org/resources/opinion.html
Find out what is in your cosmetics:
http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?list=type&type=33
Wake up to the threat of toxic chemicals!
www.rhtp.org/fertility/ToxicZombie.asp (Many resources used in the
writing of this blog were obtained from this site.)
“Toxic Combination: Fact Sheet on Toxic Chemicals and Reproductive
Health”—Center for American Progress:
http://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/issues/2010/04/pdf/toxic_combination.pdf
“Women of Color are at Greater Risk for Toxic Chemical
Exposure”—Women’s Voices for the Earth:
http://www.womensvoices.org/about/why-a-womens-organization/
Photo Credit: Sacramento Earth Day
Crossposted from Everyday Feminism
Today is Earth Day.
It’s a day that many of us associate with recycling and celebrating trees, wildlife, and rivers. And as a recreational tree-hugger, I can appreciate those traditional connotations of Earth Day.
But today’s environmental issues run much broader than just our waterways and forests.
Examining environmental issues with a feminist lens enables us to see the intersection of gender, socio-economics, and the environment.
The exploration and study of this intersection is formally referred to as eco-feminism.
Although no single definition of it exists, I would define it as a feminism that works to examine how environmental degradation and climate change impact communities and community members based on their socio-economic status and gender.
It’s important that the valuable intersectional perspective of eco-feminism doesn’t get lost amidst the green frenzy on Earth Day.
Natural disasters and resource shortages hit impoverished communities first and worst. With women making up an estimated 70% of those living below the poverty line, they are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.
Women living in developing nations tend to be natural resource managers as the gatherers of food, water and firewood. And from a young age, girls traditionally assist their mothers with this work.
As resources become scarcer with decline in the environment’s health, girls are attending less and less school to be able to dedicate more time to finding water, or simply because school fees are no longer available as crop cycles become less predictable.
You can imagine the cycle of poverty that this spawns.
As primary natural resource managers, these women are especially well-equipped to lead environmental mitigation and adaptation efforts.
But due to traditional and patriarchal gender roles that devalue unpaid work like childcare and water retrieval, women’s specialized knowledge in smart and effective climate change adaptation is typically not respected or taken into consideration in most community decision-making processes.
In our own backyard, low-income communities and communities of color bear the greatest burden of environmental injustice.
Take Mossville, Louisiana as an example.
The small, rural, and predominantly African American town became the site of the highest concentration of vinyl plastic manufacturers in the US, in addition to housing a coal-fired power plant, oil refineries and other chemical production facilities.
Together, these facilities produce more than 4 million pounds of carcinogenic toxic chemicals that end up in the soil, air and water of Mossville. This community’s exposure to these toxins has resulted in grave health impacts, from high incidences of asthma to a cancer epidemic.
It is not a coincidence that these toxic plants were built in a lower-class community of color and not a place like downtown Washington, DC, a place populated by people of privilege and significant socio-political power.
Mossville, Louisiana is a clear cut incidence of environmental racism.
Another alarming instance of environmental and social injustice happening right before our eyes has to do with toxic chemical exposure.
Mounting scientific evidence reveals that chemicals in our air, water and everyday products—from our furniture to our personal care and cleaning products—are harming our reproductive health and fertility.
This is frightening news for those of us that are planning big spring cleaning extravaganzas or like to paint our nails every few weeks.
But what about if you clean houses for a living or work in a nail salon? Your exposure to toxic chemicals is likely to be constant and severe.
Women of color and immigrant women are overrepresented in professions that entail extreme and dangerous exposure to toxic chemicals.
Again, it’s not a coincidence that low-income women of color are disproportionately burdened by toxic chemicals through their jobs, and the eco-feminist lens helps illuminate this reality.
The eco-feminism lens is helpful in addressing environmental issues because it allows us the unveil oppressive societal structures – like racism, sexism, and classism – that play a significant role in the health of the environment and who is most impacted by this health declining.
So from now on, when you’re discussing recycling with your friends, don’t just think about where your un-recycled items will end up.
Dig deeper and consider which communities tend to live near the landfills in which non-recyclable waste is dumped.
Then dig even deeper and consider how living near the landfills may impact their health and wellbeing and if they are likely to have access to health insurance or not when it comes time to address these health impacts.
That is the beauty of the intersectional nature of eco-feminism.
With eyes wide open to the importance of justice issues on Earth Day, let’s take action in support of legislation that would make the 84,000 chemicals in commerce today safe for use by all consumers, but most importantly, communities that are disproportionately harmed by toxic chemicals.
Tell your Senators that you support the Safe Chemicals Act!
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Restrictions Will Force 40-
Year-Old Abortion Clinic To
Close This Weekend
Last week, Virginia’s Board of Health voted to finalizeunnecessary regulations that will force many of the state’s abortion clinics to shut down. Those new restrictions — which are known as the Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers, or TRAP laws — are already having their intended effect. Hillcrest Clinic, which opened to the public just nine months after the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion services, will be closing its doors this weekend.
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“A society can be measured by the way it treats its most vulnerable. The three groups that are most vulnerable in any society are: the elderly and infirm, the young; babies, toddlers, school age and adolescence, inclusive and lastly, the mentally ill. For our purpose, vulnerable is the susceptibility of certain groups to physical, emotional, and or sexual injury.” Having established who are considered vulnerable within our society it is clear that these individuals should be highly cared for and protected base on their levels of vulnerability.
However being in the school system for the short period of time that I have been exposed to have shown me that there is little regard to children sometimes. Countless cases of verbal abuse and sexual abuse just to name a few are reported to the office on a regular basis. Children are being denied freedom of expression and this may hinder the child positive growth and development and begs the question, what are the rights of a child?
There are so many organizations that claim they are for the best interest of the child and when we go to the media the things we hear happening to our children is more than outrageous. Is it that we have totally neglected those that will become the future of our society? What really is the best interest of the child?
The child Care and protection act is up for review pretty soon. One will anticipate that the reviews will include more penalties for those who are found guilty of infringing on the rights of the child. For too long have we sat down and quietly allow our children to become victims of sexual, physical and verbal abuse. We must report these cases if known to the necessary authorities for their perusal.
The reports of the various crimes against our children have been alarming and we can tell of what it is by the frequency of what we hear in the media, we just imagine those that goes unreported. Crimes against children 2010-2012 {Murdered 2012-41, 2011-55 & 2010-49} {Sexually abused 2012- 766, 2011-912 & 2010-768}. What kind of society are we living in? How is it that so many of our children are impacted negatively by other members of the society. It is time we hold people accountable for these actions. Enough of the beauty talking and start doing real work with our children.
Jason Madden
IYSO Council Member
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Netherlands on Monday to promote the growing economic ties between the two countries. Apparently, the Netherlands has replaced Germany as Russia’s #1 trading partner in Europe, and the second largest globally after China.
In response to Russia’s pending anti-gay legislation which would make public events and dissemination of information about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to minors punishable by fines of up to $16,000, the city of Amsterdam put rainbow flags up all over the city. The city also put up some pretty funny posters and tape cordoning off areas where I guess Putin would be.
Oh, the sass!
I found a photo of a woman holding up a placard asking for greater coverage of a suspected murder. In Valdosta, GA, 17 year-old Kendrick Johnson was found dead in a pile of mats at his high school. The photo I found on Facebook however, tells a different story.
Accompanying text reads, “His name is Kendrick Kj Johnson he was beaten to death at his High School here in Valdosta Ga the police is covering up his story by saying there was no foul play but clearly you can see its a lie. They have yet to give the Johnson/Tooley family any answers. Im only asking for a minute of your time to plz share his story we need all the support we can get. Please support the Kendrick Kj Johnson movement.”
After a quick google search for related news stories, all I found was coverage of his falling into the pile of mats and dying from the subsequent blood flow to his brain after hanging upside down for an extended period of time. Although foul play is suspected, the speculation of these news stories say nothing about him being beaten to death. Plus one of the news outlets that covered the supposedly fake conclusion was FOX News…’nuff said.
Many have experienced opinions about this case’s similarity to Emmett Till’s. What could possibly be the motive behind this?
Does anyone know the truth about this? Additional information is needed to get justice for this young man’s family.
Only 23% of sexually active teens have been tested for HIV. Are you one of them? Find free or low-cost clinics near you!
This month is Sexual Assault Awareness month, and unfortunately it feels very, very relevant lately. Rape culture has proven itself to be alive and well- from the recent suicide of Canadian high school student Rehtaeh Parsons after photos of her being gang raped were circulated online, to the biased media coverage of the Steubenville rape trial, which sympathized with the convicted rapists and blamed the victim. It can feel very overwhelming and depressing to continually hear about, watch, and endure episode after episode of abuse, violation and degradation, which is why I’m proposing that this month, we self empower through ACTION! Here are some things you can do to actively combat rape culture, and work towards a society in which sexuality is free from violence and full of love, respect, and pleasure:
1. Educate yourself about sexual consent, then pledge to only practice consensual sex by signing the Consent is Sexy pledge! While your at it, you could even bring the Consent is Sexy campaign to your campus!
2.Support victims of sexual abuse by going to a Take Back The Night event on your campus or in your community. If there isn’t one, get started planning your own for next year!
3. Know the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE). Post it in places your peers will see, such as on the doors of bathroom stalls, in dorm common areas, or health centers.
4. Speak up and Vlog about it! Make a video about the issue of sexual assault. Here are two great ones: WTF HAPPENED IN STEUBENVILLE? by vlogger Laci Greene and this Anti-Rape video by University of Oregon film student Samantha Stendel
These are just a few of a huge number of ways you can take action against rape culture and sexual abuse. There is no limit to the amount of passion and creativity you can draw on! Have some other ideas? Write them in the comments!
A few weeks back I listened attentively to ‘SOS Doctor’, one of the best health programs that be on Radio in Cameroon. As I listened, I got very happy at the great job that Dr. Dion Grace, a member of the National AIDS Control Committee of Cameroon was doing to educate Cameroonians on anti-retroviral drugs. She eloquently and insightfully answered every one of the questions that were posed to her by listeners who called-in and am sure her intervention in the program was a timely one. Everything was fine until when a listener called-in to ask what is it that could be done to reduce stigma on people who are on anti-retroviral drugs. Dr. Dion as usual gave a very insightful answer to this question going as far as citing the example of Ivory Coast where the drugs are put in anonymous packages so that they can be taken by patients without fear of stigma by the people around them. She went ahead to cite cases where some special containers of various doses is been used in some countries to reduce stigma. This was quiet interesting to know, but when she started advising people on anti-retroviral that they could tell people around them that they are taking vitamins or pills in order to avoid stigmatization I grumbled the following to myself: Do I have to be so ashamed of my status that I have to lie to others?
I have no statistics on this but I can assure you that having to lie on your HIV status is the order of the day in Cameroon especially amongst young people to avoid stigma and discrimination. Well, this to an extend is understandable given that People Living With HIV/AIDS(PLWHA) are considered as being punished by God for either their sisns or those committed by their family. But when telling a lie to avoid stigma is a behaviour that is reinforced health professionals, I have reservations and clearly doubt how efficient this approach could be.
I am utterly convinced that a problem can only be solved if its root cause(s) is/are carefully tackled. As a young person living in a society where most PLWHA are young persons, I compare telling a lie on your HIV/AIDS status to survive to deliberately refusing to tackle the problem from it’s source and launching an attack on its leaves instead.
To reduce stigma in the most sustainable way possible, education rather than lies is required.Young People, their families, and the communities in which People on anti-retroviral drugs have to be educated on the dangers of stigma and on the importance of accepting PLWHA. Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations’ Secretary-General, vividly spelt out society’s responsibility to PLWHA when he declared that, “We can fight stigma. Enlightened laws and policies are key. But it begins with openness, the courage to speak out. Schools should teach respect and understanding. Religious leaders should preach tolerance. The media should condemn prejudice and use its influence to advance social change, from securing legal protections to ensuring access to health care.”
Lies do nothing but contribute in amplifying the myth around HIV/AIDS in the Cameroonian society. People on anti-retroviral drugs do not need to lie on their status to survive stigma, they need to accept themselves as they are and deserve the care and protection that every other human being is due by the society in which they live.They deserve to live a real life and not a life of lies.
Thanks to Advocates For Youth, I had the privilege and pleasure of attending the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health’s National Advocacy Weekend for 5 days this past March. As I packed my bags and boarded the plane that would take me from Ithaca, NY to Washington DC, I had no clue as to the intense intellectual, emotional, and passionate environment I was about to step into.
This year’s Advocacy Weekend was focused on the inclusion of immigrant women’s health care in immigration reform. Immigration policy directly affects an immigrant woman’s access to health care. According to the NLIRH website, the majority of female immigrants do not have healthcare coverage. State legislatures continue to introduce legislation that would restrict non-citizens’ access to basic public health programs, including prenatal care. Immigrant women are less likely to receive adequate reproductive health care, including cervical and breast cancer screening and treatment, family planning services, HIV/AIDS testing and treatment, accurate sex education and culturally and linguistically competent services.
Reproductive Justice tells us that these services are essential for women to have the basic human rights to dignity and self determination. It was under this belief that over 50 activists from across the country joined together. We represented the full spectrum of american latina identity- some of us were undocumented, others were second and third generation citizens. Our command of English and Spanish differed, but we were united in our conviction, and most of all in our support of one another.
Yo te apoyo. This is one of NLIRH’s campaign slogans, and it was this sentiment that was most felt throughout the weekend. As we learned about the intricacies of immigration reform and of it’s intersections with Reproductive Justice, we were free to voice our personal experiences and frustrations. People spoke of very personal obstacles- young motherhood, the pain of familial disruption by deportation, the inability to be seen by a doctor for a cyst in the breast- openly and honestly, and were always received with respect and the assurance that they had in their power the ability to create change.
At the rally for Immigrant Women on Sunday, speakers shouted, “We are on the right side of history!” to a church full of applause. I clapped and shouted right along. It was only later that I questioned the assurance I felt that this is true. I suppose I feel that I am “on the right side of history” when I am working with people who sound least like a history textbook.. People who choose not to simplify and sterilize an issue, because they are not afraid to admit to and confront the complexity and diversity of it. People who gain collective power through their willingness to admit to vulnerability, to the need to support and be supported in their struggle.
For more information about the issue of Immigrant women’s access to healthcare, and how it is affected by immigration policy, check out:
The Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Immigrants
UPDATE: VICTORY! Last week, James and other activists in Texas met with their policy makers to protest the Zedler 1 anti-gay amendment, including delivering your signatures in person to Texas’ legislature. And on Thursday 4/4, the amendment was withdrawn. We got them off our backpacks and funding for the centers is safe. Great job!
This is a featured post from Texas Freedom Network Student Chapter President James Lee!
My name is James Lee and growing up in Rio Grande Valley Texas, I was taught that being gay was wrong. I believed something was wrong with me because I was gay. It wasn’t until I stepped into my college resource center and found other students like me that I finally found peace with myself. The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center at the University of Houston changed my life.
Now one Texas Representative wants to take that center away, and all of the other LGBT resource centers that help thousands of young people each year at Texas’ universities. Sign a petition to help protect LGBT resource centers in Texas!
Texas Representative Bill Zedler introduced an Amendment to eliminate state funding for LGBT Resource Centers like the one that created a safe space for me and my friends to come out. The Zedler 1 Amendment would not only remove state funding for LGBT Resource Centers but would also eliminate state funding for Women’s Centers and ALL Gender & Sexuality Centers at Texas universities.
In the week leading up to National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day, and in an effort to build an AIDS free generation we must continue to support LGBT Center and Women’s Centers that provide critical health services. I am asking all students, youth, alumni, and concerned citizens to contact the state legislators to vote no on the Zedler 1 amendment. Tell Texas legislators to stop harming students and get off our backpacks!
Are you a young person (14-24 years old) who is:
Why I Support Same Sex Marriage as a Civil Right, But Not as a Strategy to Achieve Structural Change
“The fundamentally conservative nature of the marriage contract is why, I think, younger conservatives are growing more supportive of same sex marriage. Extending marriage rights to LGBT people does little or nothing to address the structure of oppressive family laws and values in society. It also does very little to change the core of the conservative agenda which is, fundamentally, about power and control. This is evidenced by the fact that young conservatives are increasingly supportive of same-sex marriage at the same time that they continue to be champions of austerity who are deeply opposed to public funding of critical safety net programs. And many are terrible on issues of race, equating black and brown people with destructively out-of-control sexuality, crime, and government debt. So their attitudes about LGBT people may have changed, but their worldviews remain pretty much the same. They’ve just let monogamous same sex couples off the hook for certain societal problems, which is essentially what they’ve been doing all along for heterosexuals who marry.
What appears to be leading to this “success” with young conservatives points to another of my concerns. By presenting LGB (I’ll leave off the “t” here) people as basically conservative in our demands, the most mainstream faction within the LGB movement is subtly positioning us as a model minority. And it’s working. Where once attacks against LGB people relied heavily on messaging that mirrored prejudices historically used against people of color (morally debased sexual predators and criminals seeking anti-American special rights), LGB people are increasingly understood to be all-American and fundamentally non-threatening. The sales job basically seems to revolve around the idea that if you let us in, nothing really changes. And, based on the demands at the center of this agenda, this is, to a degree, true.
Also troubling is my sense that the current strategies ignore something about marriage rights that ought to be obvious to anyone excluded from them, especially when that group is arguing that being excluded has real, material consequences. That is, that we are arguing to be able to use marriage as a shield against wrongs that no one, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status, should suffer. No loved one should be excluded from survivors benefits and pensions, end of life decision-making, hospital visitation, and the many other family rights reserved for married couples. And when we argue that being able to wield this shield is a right we deserve because we conform with the values of good people, that shield can become a weapon against those who are still excluded.”
Scot Nakagawa, “Why I Support Same Sex Marriage as a Civil Right, But Not as a Strategy to Achieve Structural Change,” ChangeLab 3/25/13
Human rights are fundamental rights and freedoms to which every human being is entitled. These rights include individual, political, civil, spiritual, social, economic and cultural rights that help us to develop to our fullest potential.
Again the Government of Jamaica is making strides in promoting equality for “all” , on March 8th the government launched A six-month public education campaign, aimed at promoting gender equality,
Entitled ‘The Way Out’, the $7.5 million campaign, which also seeks to promote women’s empowerm
ent, is designed to support the implementation of the island’s National Policy for Gender Equality.
The policy promotes fairness and equal justice for women and men at all levels of society.
The campaign is a joint effort by the Bureau of Women’s Affairs (BWA) and the Dispute Resolution Foundation (DRF). It is funded through a policy implementation grant from the Fund for Gender Equality, administered by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (UN WOMEN).
The campaign will include a jingle, the placement of radio and television features, public service announcements, posters, billboards, bus wrappers, the hosting of public fora as well as debates surrounding the policy.
Materials for the campaign will be developed by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), which will also manage the placement for media houses.
Some of the proposed outcomes for ‘The Way Out’ project are: to encourage the use of mediation to improve relations between women and men; training in gender mainstreaming for women and men; increased economic and political leadership capacity of women and girls; and increased public awareness of gender equality and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
The National Policy for Gender Equality will: reduce all forms of gendered discrimination and promote greater gender equality and social justice; strengthen institutional mechanisms and develop the skills and tools required to mainstream gender in cultural, social, economic and political institutions, structures and systems.
It also seeks to promote sustainable behaviour change and improve organisational effectiveness and the capacity of public sector entities to develop, implement and monitor gender responsive plans, projects, and programmes.
If you haven’t heard already, the law makers in North Dakota are pushing for another anti-choice bill. This time it’s an abortion ban on the basis of personhood. If passed, this would effectively give fertilized eggs all the rights of U.S. citizens. And it would cut off abortion care completely. Beyond abortion this bill would also charge doctors who damage embryos in any way with criminal negligence. It also prevents doctors from being able to perform in vitro fertilizations. Now you might be thinking an unconstitutional bill like this couldn’t possibly get passed by Senate or the House, but it did. Shockingly, it passed the House by a vote of 57-35 and it’s currently making its way to the Governor’s desk.
The state’s recent six-week abortion ban is already in direct violation of Roe v. Wade and will bring about several legal costs for taxpayers when challenged. This next measure of a total abortion ban will surely cause North Dakota to face the same results, costing the state more than they bargained for. And how will they pay for these litigations?
During a recent debate between Senator Margaret Sitte and Dr. Kristen Cain about the abortion restrictions and pending abortion ban, Senator Sitte accidentally lets something slip. When asked if these bills will cost taxpayers possibly millions, Senator Sitte unintentionally admits that there are outside interests behind the unconstitutional abortion bans who are willing to spend those millions to make sure people in North Dakota will not have access to reproductive healthcare and rights. Watch as Senator Sitte tries to lie her way out of it.
Watch the debate between Senator Sitte and Dr. Cain!
This abortion ban won’t be a law until Governor Jack Darlymple of North Dakota signs it, and it’s unclear if he will or won’t.
To contact Governor Jack Darlymple:
Office of Governor
State of North Dakota
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0100
701.328.2200: phone
701.328.2205: fax
Sure, the effect is small, but among both Democrats and Republicans, members of Congress tend to vote better on women’s issues if they have more daughters. Along the same lines, it’s instructive to look at which Republicans in the Senate voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Personal experience makes a difference even here.
Mother Jones - http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/03/members-congress-daughters-vote-better-womens-issues
Two personhood bills — Senate Bill 2303 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 4009 — have already passed the Senate, and the GOP-controlled House is expected to take them upsometime this week. But if North Dakota successfully enacts a total abortion ban, there will be serious consequences for the state that extend even beyond women’s reproductive freedom. Here are five ways the state will suffer under personhood:
1. There will be fewer doctors in the state available to provide medical care. In a historic move for the North Dakota Medical Association, the nonpartisan organization has come out againstpersonhood. The group points out that the anti-abortion measures go too far to “interfere with the physician practice,” and they suspect it will be harder to find qualified medical professionals willing to practice in North Dakota if the state imposes so many complicated restrictions on doctors. Some doctors have already testified before state lawmakersto say they will leave North Dakota if the abortion bans pass.
2. Maternal health care will be compromised. Doctors could becharged with criminal negligence if anything happens to an embryo — which could prevent them from making quick decisions that could help save women’s lives. The tragic case of Savita Halappanavar, a woman who died after being denied an abortion in a Catholic hospital because her doctors were reluctant to provide care that could get them in trouble with the law, highlights the serious consequences of state lawmakers coming between a woman and her doctor.
3. Women could be forced to resort to illegal abortion procedures.Under a personhood law, women will end up resorting to dangerous “backroom” abortions, one former pediatrician warned North Dakota lawmakers last week. That Fargo-area doctor did his medical training before Roe v. Wade, when women were dying of bacterial infections after botched abortion procedures — and he warns that the passage of the proposed personhood measures would pull North Dakota back into “the stone age of medicine.” There’s evidence to back up that claim. According to the Guttmacher Institute, the legality of abortion hasabsolutely no correlation to abortion rates around the world, because women will continue to seek to terminate pregnancies regardless of the law.
4. Women won’t be able to use in vitro fertilization to try to have a family. Ironically, in addition to compromising medical procedures for the women seeking to terminate a pregnancy, personhood measures also place restrictions on the women who are trying to get pregnant. “These bills will stop the practice of in vitro fertilization in this state,” Dr. Stephanie Dahl, an obstetrician-gynecologist and reproductive medicine specialist in Fargo, explained to lawmakers. Doctors wouldn’t be able to perform any procedure that carries the risk of damaging some embryos, so women would be forced to travel to South Dakota or Minnesota for in vitro treatment, a six-week process that requires multiple sonograms and up to 12 visits to the doctor.
5. The state will become embroiled in expensive lawsuits. North Dakota’s six-week abortion ban already runs afoul of Roe v. Wade, and will certainly invite several costly legal challenges. A total abortion ban would lead to similar consequences. Two personhood bills were recentlystruck down in Oklahoma, suggesting that the courts won’t take kindly to North Dakota’s push to restrict women’s constitutional rights, either. Nevertheless, even the self-proclaimed “fiscally conservative” Republicans in the state are willing to defend their abortion bans on the state’s dime.
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/03/19/1738321/north-dakota-suffer-personhood/
Kansas House rejects rape and incest exceptions for abortion
Kansas House members on Tuesday gave first-round approval to sweeping new restrictions on abortion after refusing to add exceptions that would allow victims of incest or rape — including children who are raped — to get late-term abortions.
— Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas and Kierra Johnson, Beyond Choice: How We Learned to Stop Labeling and Love Reproductive Justice
It was the 12th day of the Occupy Baluwatar Campaign, me and my friend planned to join the event. We two girls headed towards Baluwatar with lots of enthusiasm and with noble gesture to unify our voice to speak out for violence against women. I have seen lots of protest. Gosh!!! Actually who haven’t seen protest in Nepal? The rampant slogans, whistles, traffic jam and crowd, just crowd some peculiar characteristics to define the protest. Whatever be the reason protest is taken as the ultimate solution. I often felt it was time to protest against any kind of protest being carried on. But to our surprise occupy Baluwatar was different. The issue being raised was different and the execution of protest was different. Cases of violence against women are not new issue in case of Nepal but it was never spoken so outrageously. The pain and sufferings either physically or socially and even legally is all limited to victim themselves. No mechanism has ever been made to raise the voice, to ask for justice to justify those bloody tears of victims.
Unlike other protest culture Occupy Baluwatar started with a (hastag) #occupybaluwatar. The wave of movement did not start on the road but on the global social network “Twitter”. Women were not safe on public places, vehicles and some not even within their houses. Those so called safety providers had also shown their ugly faces, women were unsafe in daylights as well as in the deep silence of nights. And this situation still prevails. The frustration was taking its heights. These inhuman activities against women brought together all the civic society irrespective of caste, gender, religion, professions and even political ideologies literally to the doorstep of residency of prime minister to demand and guarantee safety of every woman.
The protest initially urged for six immediate demands related to the five cases. These demands are related to Sita Rai vs. the Department of Immigration and the Nepal Police, Chhori Maiya Maharjan vs. ‘Nikki’ Singh, Saraswati Subedi vs. the Prasain family, Shiva Hasami vs. her family members and Bindu Thakur vs. her family members. The sixth demand concerns the registration of First Information Reports (FIR) by the police. These demands are genuine and a responsible government would not delay it for a single another day to address the issue. But after all these more than 70 days of campaign we are not much far from where we have started. Occupy Baluwatar campaigner have one way or other always tried to raise the issue of violence against women. Celebration of February 14, with a rally theme saying “Love is me, Love is you, Love is respect” shows that the campaigners not only are demanding for above mentioned issues. They want change in the system, the way system treats and respect women. The recent rally organized by the campaigner “Superman rally” highly mocked and criticized the top politicians for a slow response from people in power who have power to change can but are reluctant towards the issue . And above all, slow paced response from the government side is adding more to the frustration.
The campaign is about to mark the century days, still significant move is yet to come. Still miles to go before we sleep!!! Occupy Baluwatar has at least sensitized the stakeholders and created a platform where victims can cry for their justice where they are heard and not isolated not stigmatized. This campaign is not about occupying street, not about occupying social media. It is about occupying respect for women in this highly inhuman society, occupying their rights, their justice, occupying humanity!!! In solidarity with Occupy Baluwatar…
Let’s face the facts: We live in a victim blaming society when it comes to sexual assault and rape.
After the guilty verdict was announced following the Steubenville rape case in Ohio, my initial thought was worry.
I worry about the victim who spoke out against her rapists, condemning two boys who were the pride of the town for being star players on the football team. I worry not only for the trauma she faced during the rape act and the humiliating physical evidence via tweets, instagram, and video posts, but also for the aftermath she will face following the trial…
I worry for her safety because people don’t quite understand what rape is and will condemn her for it because she was drunk.
I worry that she will not have a much needed support system from peers or members of the community following the trial.
I worry if she will have a counselor to talk to in the upcoming months she will try to get back to living a “normal life”.
I worry that those two boys will never learn their lesson about what rape actually is. Being that mainstream media has taken their side and glorified them as victims because they were promising football players and students who got good grades. They just got caught up in a regrettable act (not regretting the rape, but the regretting the fact that it was recorded with photos).
The two young men will have to register as sex offenders and spend one to two years in juvenile detention, but that is not what I am concerned about, unlike other mainstream media outlets.
Instead of feeling sympathy that their promising football careers are essentially over, I feel actual sympathy for the victim of being raped without her consent and how she will cope and deal with the consequences living in a town that cares more about their football team than the well being of a 16 year old girl who was taken advantage of.
The rape victim, a 16 year old girl, should be our main concern. Not the future of rapists, but the future of a young girl, who has to deal with being a rape survivor in a patriarchal, misogynistic, sexist, victim-blaming society.
I shouldn’t have to worry about the well-being of a rape victim. She should know that this entire ordeal is not her fault. She should expect counseling and psychological services to help her cope with trauma. She should have support instead of backlash from her community of peers and adults.
That’s how it should be…but we live in a society that blames rape victims instead of sympathizing with them. And that is a shame.
As a former teen mom and human I could not help but address the questions and worries of the discontent toddlers in the New York City’s controversial anti-teenage pregnancy ads.
Just because I had you as a teen does not mean that you are not capable of doing well in school and graduating high school with honors just as I did.
BREAKING: North Dakota legislature passes nation’s most restrictive abortion law, bans all abortions after 6 weeks
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/03/15/1724911/north-dakota-six-week-heartbeat-ban/
Steubenville “Rape Crew” Lawyers Argue that Silence is Consent
Anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock knows a few details about this case. A teenage girl was drinking at a party, was drugged, became unconscious, and now two guys are on trial for “allegedly” raping her. (Man, I hate that word.) This particular case caught national attention after the internet crew Anonymous unveiled some of the shady business surrounding the actual case. The self-proclaimed Steubenville “Rape Crew” recorded themselves after the alleged rape, describing that the victim had been drugged, urinated on, and raped. They also took photos of themselves with the victim and tweeted before and after the crime, implying that this assault was premeditated. But apparently being on the Steubenville high school football team puts you on a pedestal, and being the alleged rape victim is a greenlight for a slew of death threats and attacks. It’s another case in which we get a glaring view into sports and rape culture, and how blurred the line can be sometimes.
Originally, the attackers (Trent Mays and Ma’lik Richmond) were charged with kidnapping. They had been moving the victim from party to party without her consent. I’m sorry to say that those charges were now dropped. In response to the rape charges, the attackers’ lawyers have decided to argue that silence is consent even though the victim didn’t have the ability to say no or yes since she was drugged by her alleged rapists and was unconscious. The lawyers of course wanted the charges dropped completely, but the attempt failed. So, they decided that this was the next best course of action: to argue that she didn’t affirmatively say no. It’s okay. Take the time to move away from the computer and scream.
Here’s a bit of light in this situation: protesters have gathered outside the courthouse, local or otherwise, for #OccupySteubenville and Operation RollRedRoll to support “Jane Doe” and other victims of abuse. They describe their occupation for March 13-15:
This will be a SILENT OCCUPY. There will be NO sound system, NO microphones, NO music, and NO guest speaking. ALL attempts from anyone trying to set up equipment will be immediately shut down. WE must now give Lady Justice, who stands on top of the Jefferson County Courthouse, her chance to speak the VERDICT. In doing so, WE will allow our voices to become…SILENT. Only our signs and banners will speak what’s on our minds. Imagine…hundreds possibly thousands of masks, dressed up, remaining peaceful, while occupying in silence. This will be a MASSIVE Anonymous presence that will speak VOLUMES.
This will be a time of standing united, in our support of Jane Doe, with our Anonymous family. We will enjoy each other’s company and act like family.
This is YOUR chance to be creative and artistic in support for Jane Doe. Let your signs, banners, and shirts speak what’s on your mind. Be Creative. Be Positive. Make the statement that YOU want the world to READ. Imagery is worth a thousand words. Let us not forget that we are a peaceful people and we are here to respectfully and peacefully support Jane Doe. Regardless of the verdict…we will remain calm and we will remain peaceful.
Though some media responses to this trial has brought this case forward and revealed tons of supporters out there, other responses haven’t been the most helpful in ensuring true justice for the victim with headlines and descriptions of the attackers like “the almost-certain demise of their dreams of playing football” and articles like this, heavy with sports glorification and victim blaming.
In the words of SPARK activist Carmen Rios:
“When athletes are accused of rape – and this is not the first or, unfortunately, the last time – often their teammates and coaches will scramble to defend them. That’s wrong. Athletes receiving preferential treatment is not uncommon and is undeniable at schools across this country, and in the case of Steubenville the safe haven of a team ready to go up to bat to defend two rapists has effectively squashed discussion around the central problem of the case: it doesn’t matter who rapes, or who is raped. It matters that a rape has occurred and that it occurred on camera and on the Internet and with great pride and joy from those allegedly involved. It matters that when these boys were publicly scrutinized for this behavior, which is undeniably tasteless and violent behavior stemming from probably equally tasteless and violent attitudes toward women, their teammates and coaches defended them publicly and privately. It matters because the only way people learn is by being told the truth – and the truth is that Coach Saccoccia and all of the Steubenville Big Red team should have stood in solidarity with what is right, and not who they know.”
Let’s hope this trial ends fairly and with great justice for those who deserve it.
After being engaged in on online consultation last week under the theme “The world we Want 2015,” I had to pause and reflect on the Jamaican society that we are now living in and ask the question, is this really the type of society that I want to live in? Whilst I had difficulty responding to this question, the truth is I wish to live nowhere else. However, I strongly believe that young people such as me may not be motivated to want to live here for more reason that one.
Young people where at the forefront of “The world we want 2015” forum and this is commendable since we are the prospects of the society and our voices must be heard now to help shape the future we want to live in. For too long have the decision making process see little or no youth involvement, it is time we help to secure the future we want; gender equality, growth and employment, governance and sustainability of the environment. A repeated theme was providing a space for young people to access and participate in decision-making processes, including the creation of the post-2015 agenda. It was emphasized that the United Nation need to consider the best ways to reach young people – online discussions such as these are a good platform for some to contribute but still exclude many. The United Nation must look at how to conduct effective consultations within local communities, including establishing mechanisms for consultations with children. It was also highlighted in the consultation that creating the space is not sufficient as views need to be listened to and then acted upon. Crucially, young people facing inequalities in their daily lives need to hear their voices reflect in a new development framework.
Inequalities faced by children and young people with disabilities were key themes expressed by individuals within the consultation. Jamaica has a population of 15% of persons with disabilities which is estimated to be 400,000. These individuals are left to feel inferior most times because the society in which we live does not provide enough resources for them to adjust and feel a part of. The Young Voices global statement asks that, “persons with disabilities around the world enjoy full educational opportunities, gainful employment, political representation, social security entitlements, access to public spaces, health services and are living free from torture, abuse and discrimination.” We look forward to see the passing of The National Disability Act in Jamaica in this legislative year. This will be evidence to say that greater emphasis is finally being placed on recognizing the rights of people with disability.
“As we strive towards post-2015 agenda and positively changing the societies we live in, we need to address the overall lack of the key catalysts of change that are critical for young people: Communication, Education and Civic participation.”- Rob Rass. The world that I want to live in is one that promotes equality amongst all and one that allow young people to achieve their fullest potential. Let us not forget the meaning of our motto “Out of many One People.”
Jason Madden
IYSO Council Member
The ‘Harlem Shake’ phenomenon seems to be the new ‘Gangnam Style’. Everyone and their Gran is making one. We’ve seen the college versions, office versions, and others. Everyone tries to make theirs a little more creative. So far my favorites are the ‘Slender Shake’ and the DramaFever version. But I digress.
You know when everyone’s carrying on and having fun then someone comes and ruins it all? Y’know, the party pooper. We have a ‘Harlem Shake’ party pooper. The shake, albeit completely different from the original hip-hop version, has been about camaraderie and the jollies. Friends and co-workers gather to make a 30-second video which starts off with one person in the group dancing and is followed by a complete change in the atmosphere – usually costumed dance frenzies. Love March Movement, a Jamaican group “…of Christians who will fast and pray and speak out publicly about things concerning the kingdom of God…”, has taken it to a whole new level of sad wet blanketry. They posted their own version of the shake, during which they held up signs advocating the retention of the “Buggery Law”.
Now I’m no stranger to homophobia, and even though the bigotry enrages me, it’s even worse when there are claims of possible damage. Here are their reasons for upholding the anti-homosexuality law.
The Buggery Law is important for protecting our country from several undesirable outcomes:
1. The Buggery Law guides the educational institutions of our nation. It is the law preventing children of all ages from being taught that homosexuality is normal behaviour; this being a serious concern especially for parents that disagree. In nations like Canada such classes are mandatory and parents have been told that they cannot remove their children from them.
2. It naturally follows that eventually, just like how we have Inter-School’s Christian Fellowship (ISCF) in high schools, that we would possibe have a Lesbian-Gay-Bisexua-Transgender-Fellowship in the schools.
3. Pedophilia – is a concern because scientists have presented to the government in Canada that pedophilia is just another sexual orientation. The train of thought is that just as the homosexuals have argued saying “I can’t control my feelings for.. men.. it is natural”… in the same way Pedophile have the same “natural attractions”.
4. Zoophilia – this is where one expresses sexual desire for animals. The law serves to declare to society what behaviour is acceptable. The buggery law also criminalizes anal sex between a man and an animal. Repealing it would actually be saying that this behviour is acceptable. Additionally, in the States there has been a legal defense for a man that has had sex with his donkey, again on the basis that ““I can’t control my feelings for.. my donkey.. it is natural”. This is the reality of the world we live in.
5. Loss of Freedom of Speech – In Canada Dr. Kris Kepling was sued for writing to the newspaper saying that he doesn’t think that homosexual material should be included in schools. He was fined Canadian $10,000. Even more recently, a pro-family activist has been charged for hate speech, because he was distributing a flyer that spoke vehemently about homosexuality. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that where the act (anal sex), was characteristic of the group (homosexuals) then speaking against the behaviour is equivalent to speaking against the vulnerable group. He was ordered to pay court fees and a gay couple who were offended. This is the serious breakdown of democracy that is taking place at the hands of the homosexual agenda world-wide.
6. Loss of Freedom of Religion – In England, Lilian Lydale, a Christian marriage officer was fired because she refused to marry a gay couple, on the basis of her religious beliefs. She even offered to have a co-worker fill the shift for her, but she was turned down. The court ruled that she did not have that right to decline the clients,a nd that she should lose her job.
7. Gay Marriage – This would cause serious damage to the family structure and is of serious concern. Though down the line, we can see easily that this is on the road of the repeal of the Buggery Law. Gays in France understand how destructive this is, and have their own campaign against gay marriage.
All in all, we are protecting the nation from death and destruction, the fruits of the secularist, homosexual agenda. [sic]
This is a clear example of the ways in which hate infiltrates every aspect of our lives. For how long will our actions and thoughts continue to be fueled by fear, ignorance and rejection of “westernization”. While the acknowledgement of pedophilia as a sexual orientation is a bit much, it’s unfair to insinuate that same-sex relationships are the wellspring of all sexual behavior that is deemed immoral. It’s all fine as long as they don’t take away the guns and 21 ounce sodas right?
My name is Lesley Del Rio and I am a CREATE council member. I was disappointed to learn that after all the hard work we put into Youth Action Day, a group of people who oppose our message took it as a joke and intruded and tried to silence our voices. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but Youth Action Day was about Comprehensive Sex Ed and showing our support for HB 1081, not opposing it and bringing it down. We don’t want to give them any more attention because they don’t deserve it. This is an example of why we need to stand together and advocate for what we want and need in spite of opposition.
Last week I posted a blog responding to the New York City Human Resource Administration’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Campaign. With much hard work, The New York Coalition for Reproductive Justice has launched its No Stigma! No Shame! Campaign in response to the Human Resource Administration’s,“Think Being A Teen Parent Won’t Cost You?”campaign. A collective of women of color, teen parents, community organizers, young people and myself have organized this campaign. We need you help with this push back. We are standing up and letting people know that our young people, especially young parents deserve better!
We ask that you stand with us and sign on listing your affiliation, organization and state. Please send that information and sign on at nyc4rj[at]gmail[dot]com. Support us in getting the word out and pushing for a teen pregnancy prevention campaign that DOES NOT shame and blame teen parents, particularly teen parents of color.
To find the Sign On Letter please visit nyc4rj.tumblr.com
Here are ALL the ways you can support the “No Stigma! No Shame!” Campaign (via Nicole Clark Consulting):
1. Stand with us and sign on to our letter by contacting Jasmine Burnett, founder of NYC4RJ, at nyc4rj[at]gmail[dot]com. Please listyour name, any academic or professional affiliations, and state. Your information will be added to this letter, and this letter will be sent to Robert Doar, commissioner of HRA’s Department of Social Services, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
2. Join us on social media! Follow NYC4RJ on Twitter (and follow our hashtag #NoStigmaNoShame ) and like the NYC4RJ Facebook page to keep up with the latest updates on the No Stigma! No Shame! Campaign.
3. Share the opinion blogs posts from other bloggers about the HRA campaign. Check out these responses from Miriam Perez, Natasha Vianna, Gloria Malone, myself, and Brittany Brathwaite.
4. Share this blog post and the NYC4RJ No Stigma! No Shame! Campaign sign-on letter with others and encourage them contact Jasmine Burnett to sign on with their support.
This sign on letter is just the beginning. We plan to incorporate a campaign that infuses policy advocacy, arts, and education that will make sure that all teens in New York City are able to make the best decisions for their health and lives. Support us in getting the word out and pushing for a teen pregnancy prevention and parenting campaign that DOES NOT shame and blame teen parents.
The comic below has been circulating on Tumblr for a few days. It appeared on my dashboard so many times and I reblogged it because I felt that Malala’s story should be shared. But then, there came posts indicating that the comic was perhaps a danger to Malala’s life, and that she herself had requested not to be the face of empowerment for Muslim women.
You can read the rest of the comic here
Even though Malala survived the shooting and is in recovery, there is still much fear; for the other young women and girls she left behind, as well as herself. After girls expressed their fear of attending the ‘Malala Yousafzai Post Graduate College for Women’, she asked for the school not to be named after her. They were scared that they would suffer the same fate as she, and worse, would not live to survive it as she did. This does not mean that she is shying away from the cause that has made her a hero to women and girls everywhere. On the contrary, it makes her even more of a responsible leader. She has chosen to acknowledge the possible casualties in this war against the misogyny and sexism. Would you want a leader to disregard your lives just as long as she got what she needed in the end?
Tumblr people being the weirdos that they are (Yes I know I am one of them. I speak from a place of affection you guys), all have their knickers in a twist and are as cross as a bag of weasels. How dare anyone disregard Malala’s safety? “Don’t make her the icon of the empowered Muslim woman!” I get that. But how many people actually knew about her plea for an anonymity of sorts? Or thought about the fact that she might still be in danger even if she did survive the attack. Heck one Taliban spokesman said he’d come after her if she survived.
So folks, now you know. We might want a poster girl to rally around, but we all have to think about the women and girls who are not as privileged as we are. The freedoms we take for granted are not readily available to all women and girls. And even though we must work to combat this, there have got to be other ways aside from putting others in danger.
Malala Yousafzai is the youngest nominee for a Nobel Peace Prize ever.
In her hometown, the Taliban banned education for women. Malala Yousafzai started writing under a pen name for BBC when she was around 11 or 12 years old, describing the inequities. She appeared on television, has done interviews, has done whatever she could to promote her beliefs, that everyone has a right to an education. Now she’s known as an activist for education and women.
This comic serves as a short summary of what Malala Yousafzai is internationally known for: her courage.
[source: watermarked in image]
From a simple Wikipedia search:
On 9 October 2012, Yousafzai was shot in the head and neck in an assassination attempt by Taliban gunmen while returning home on a school bus.[17] In the days immediately following the attack, she remained unconscious and in critical condition,[18] but later her condition improved enough for her to be sent to a hospital in the United Kingdom for intensive rehabilitation. On 12 October, a group of 50 Islamic clerics in Pakistan issued a fatwā against those who tried to kill her,[19] but the Taliban reiterated its intent to kill Yousafzai and her father, Ziauddin.[20]
Former British Prime Minister and current U.N. Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown launched a United Nations petition[21] in Yousafzai’s name, using the slogan “I am Malala” and demanding that all children worldwide be in school by the end of 2015. Brown said he would hand the petition to Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari in November. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has announced that 10 November will be celebrated as Malala Day.[22]
“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights” Gloria Steinem
Today, International Women’s Day, let us remember women and girls around the world who are not as free as some of us are. Being a foreign national, I can speak on this lack of freedom. Although I was born in to modern times, decades after it was thought a waste to educate the girl child, in my culture, there are still inequalities. Men are still the heads of households, and there are still tasks and behaviors designated to specific sexes.
This year, the theme of IWD is “The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum”. It focuses on celebrating the achievements of women thus far, while remaining hopeful about new progress on all fronts. Women have come so far through the years, but there is still much to do. There is still a great gap in gender equality, and there is an assault on our rights. Can you believe that in 2013 there are still arguments about what rights we have to our bodies? Can you believe that congress would pay for an old dude to have sex but won’t pay for women to protect themselves against pregnancy or save their own lives when necessary? Can you believe that in this day an age, women are killed for trying to empower themselves an others? That an Oscar host can stand up in front of thousands of people and make jokes about rape?
This International Women’s Day, take a stand for something you believe in. Donate to an organization that supports women’s rights, attend an event to show your support for women’s rights, highlight an important woman who has done much for the movement and effect change by supporting efforts to help women around the world.
Maharashtra Police Logo says…Sadrakshnāya Khālanīghrahanāya…To Protect Good and to Punish Evil…But…see the Ugly Truth
Maharashtra Police…is Supposed to Protect 77 yr Sr. Citizen Widow & Mentally Challenged Girl…or…JAIL & Do CRUELTY to them???!!! …see the Ugly Truth
06 March 2013
Police Cruelty on a 77 yr Poor Complainant Widow – Prima Facie Documentary Evidence of Hon. Bombay High Court Judges’ Orders
Please see…in this Hon. Bombay High Court Orders dated 23-011-2012 & 20-11-2012…How Police TRIED to Lie + Submitted False Sworn Affidavits + made FORGERY of FALSE entries into Police Station Diary !!!…& How Hon. Justices A.S.Oka & S.S.Shinde CAUGHT Police LYING about my Illegal Arrest !!!…SHOCKING !!!:
►►►Hon. BHC Order dated 23-11-2012:
1 crwp1857
ssp
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION NO.1857 OF 2012
Mohini Kamwani …Petitioner
vs.
Sr.Police Inspector,Vashi & Ors. …Respondents
Ms Anubha Rastogi i/b Gayatri Singh and Kranti for
the petitioner
Ms P.H.Kantharia, A.P.P for the respondent
CORAM : A.S.OKA, &
S.S.SHINDE, JJ.
DATE : NOVEMBER 23,2012
P.C.:
1. We have perused the record produced by the learned A.P.P. The learned A.P.P. states that it is true that on the arrest panchnama signature of the petitioner and her son were not obtained but there is arrest form drawn at the time of arrest. She states that the petitioner and her son declined to sign on the arrest form.
2.We may note here that in the station diary entry no.26 which is made at the time of arrest of the petitioner and her son, there is not even a reference to the arrest form. There is no entry in the station diary that arrest form was drawn and the petitioner and her son declined to sign the same.
Moreover, in the affidavit of Shri Raosaheb Baburao Sardesai dated 3rd August 2012, there is no reference whatsoever to the arrest form being drawn.
2 crwp1857
3. The learned A.P.P seeks time to file additional affidavit. The prayer will have to be rejected for the simple reason that in the petition not only the violation of directions issued by the Apex Court in case of of D.K.Basu Vs. State of West Bengal [1997
(1) SCC 416] has been alleged, but the directions in the Judgment have been reproduced in the petition. Moreover, the station diary entry does not contain such reference to such arrest form. We have perused the original arrest form of the petitioner and her son. Prima facie, it appears to us that endorsement that arrestees declined to sign the same has been subsequently made as the handwriting appears to be different than the handwriting in which various details have been filled in. In any case, additional affidavit cannot be permitted to be filed to fill up any lacuna.
4. As far as giving of information of arrest to the close relative of the petitioner is concerned, the learned A.P.P stated that the petitioner’s daughter Kanta was informed about her arrest. On instructions she stated that a woman constable was deputed for the said work. We may note here that there is no record to show that a constable was deputed and any report was submitted by the constable on record. The learned A.P.P on instructions states that there is no such entry in the station diary or there is no such report. We have noted that the mode by which the communication
was allegedly made to the said daughter of the
3 crwp1857
petitioner is not mentioned in the station diary. On the last date, in our order dated 20th November
2012, we have specifically noted that the said Kanta is mentally challenged. The learned A.P.P on
instructions states that she is not mentally challenged but disabled.
5. We have also heard the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned A.P.P on other aspects of the case. The learned A.P.P seeks time to take instructions as regards prayer clause (b).
6. Stand over till 10th December 2012, to be shown at 3.00 p.m for Judgment.
(S.S.SHINDE,J.) (A.S.OKA,J.)
►►►Hon. BHC Order dated 20-11-2012:
wp1857-12
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
WRIT PETITION NO. 1857 OF 2012
Mohini Narandas Ramawani …Petitioner
Versus
Senior Police Inspector and others …Respondents
M/s Anubha Rastogi i/by Gayatri Singh and Kranti the petitioner
Mrs. P. H. Kantharia, APP for the State
CORAM : A.S. OKA &
S.S. SHINDE, JJ.
DATE : 20th November, 2012.
P.C.
1. In this petition, apart from the other contention there is specific
contention raised regarding breach of directions issued by the Apex
Court in the case of D.K. Basu Vs. State of U.P. (1997 (1) SCC 416).
2. We have perused the affidavit of Raosaheb Baburao Sardesai,
Senior Police Inspector, presently attached to Vashi Police Station,
Navi Mumbai. The affidavit does not throw light on compliance with
the directions issued by the Apex Court in the case of D.K.Basu. The
so called arrest Panchanama or arrest Memorandum is shown to us,
which does not bear signature of the arrestee. Though it is contended
that information regarding arrest was given to the petitioner’s daughter
by name Kanta, no record is shown to us to prove in what manner such
information was given. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner
j p chavan 1/2
::: Downloaded on – 03/02/2013 12:57:53 :::
wp1857-12
states that said Kanta is mentally challenged. The affidavit filed is
totally unsatisfactory.
3. Prima facie, the affidavit shows that the directions of the Apex
Court in the case of D.K. Basu have not been complied with. We direct
the concerned officer to remain present in this Court on 23rd November,
2012 at 3 p.m. along with entire record.
( S.S. SHINDE, J ) ( A.S. OKA, J )
j p chavan 2/2
::: Downloaded on – 03/02/2013 12:57:53 :::
WHY ???…What is the MOTIVE of Police…for saying that she is DISABLED ???!!!…
Because…IT IS CLEAR CRUELTY… TO LEAVE A MENTALLY CHALLENGED GIRL …ALONE AT HOME… FOR 4 DAYS…WITH SO MANY RAPES + ROBBERIES + MURDERS TAKING PLACE… As Police Did Not Inform Us That They Were Arresting Us + Nor Gave Us The Opportunity To Make Arrangements For Her Stay With Our Relatives In Mumbai !!!
Your Honours…can Imagine the Mental Trauma…I + my Mentally Challenged Daughter & my Son underwent in Jail/Home for 4 Days…WORRYING to DEATH about my Poor Daughter !!!
Now…I am waiting for the Final Judgement.
I have Repeatedly said on Record that I Respect the Hon. BHC Justices and have Full Faith in the Indian Judiciary and I am sure Full Justice will be done to me by the Hon. BHC Justices in their Final Judgment.
GOD IS GREAT
Mohini Kamwani
MOB – 9920412577 – TEL – 022-27823443
EMAIL mohini.kamwani@gmail.com
Address – 101, Mauli, 1st Floor, A-Wing, Plot No. 29-C, Sector 4, Vashi, Navi Mumbai 400703 MAHARSHTRA, INDIA
How long will it take the parliamentary committee to reach a decision regarding the amendment of the laws that continue to criminalize females who wish to perform abortion; especially in cases of rape, incest and where it threatens the very life of the mother? Abortion is still seen as a criminal act under sections 72 and 73 of the Offences Against the Persons Act in Jamaica.
While most persons continue to be pro-choice where this issue is concern some very strong will individuals remain adamant that the act is wrong. What about the rights to Freedom, security of the person and privacy of an individual which ultimately give the woman a right to choose? It is clear that others want to take away this right from these women.
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international agreement that the Government made with other countries to protect women from discrimination in its various forms. The Government signed the agreement on September 3, 1981 and it came into effect on October 19, 1984. Within this agreement there was no “right” to abortion and if there was one it would come in conflict with other existing agreements from Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 3 which states that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”
A recent article submitted to CEDAW by several under signers including Jamaican Coalition for Healthy Society refute the claim that countries should decriminalize abortion as they gave written contribution towards the theme “access to justice.” It is appalling that the Jamaican network that made contribution to this submission is one that has several members on their body from religious backgrounds who will never see eye to eye with a woman who readily does abortion base on their worldview.
The National Family Planning Board said 47 per cent of all births here are unplanned. This is an indicator that these women are forced to carry a child into the world which could be as a result of rape or incest. While they may have physical complications in carrying these children these women are not given the opportunity to decide if she want to put herself through this process. Farther more she may put herself at risk of transmitting STI’s, becoming emotional burden and other psycho-social problems.
The argument that a child is a blessing still stands but that blessing can simply becomes a curse if you really never wanted it. Woman have rights too and they should have the right to choose, don’t take that from them. As we look forward to International Women’s Day let us think equality and justice and allow women to have the free will to choose on issues that affect them.
Jason Madden
IYSO Council Member
While browsing through my twitter page I came across an ad directed at teen mothers in NYC. While seeing this ad disgusted me; I was a little relieved that I had not seen it person in my city, Brooklyn. Not only is this ad extremely offensive (the Post calls it a “Tad” offensive), it has racist, classist and sexist undertones. The ad I saw featured a beautiful brown girl with big brown eyes and read “Honestly Mom… chances are he won’t stay with you. What happens to me?” It also quoted a statistic that 90% of teen parents do not marry each other. While this statistic can be shocking to most it also seems to continue to push the agenda of marriage and “nuclear” families among young people, something I wish this country would have let go of in the 1976 Reagan “Welfare Queen” era.
After further research, I discovered that this ad was part of a larger campaign created by the NYC Human Resources Administration. For an agency with the word “resources” in its name, it appears that they do not know how to use them very well. Especially considering the fact that the United States is preparing to undergo sequestration and they thought it wise to use government funding to disseminate disturbing, stigmatizing and shameful ads about teen mothers. Also considering the fact they are a “Human Resources” agency, I would think funds would be better allocated to real initiatives to help young mothers, such as creating real job opportunities for young moms and working with other agencies and organizations to provide childcare so that young women could support their families. It is resourceful to create life-size ads that basically say “Mom you suck for having me.”
While NYC has taken steps to improve the lives of young parents, like closing Pregnancy Schools after advocates insisted these institutions were in violation of Title IX, this initiative seems backwards. This is the same city responsible for the Living for the Young Family through Education program which provides free childcare around the city to help teen parents graduate from high school. In addition to these efforts, the NYC Department of Education mandated Comprehensive Sexuality Education in schools in 2011 to decrease the rate of teen pregnancies, HIV and STIs among young people. However, many of the youth that I work with in Brooklyn still report receiving little to no sex education even after the mandate was placed into effect. Having grown up in Brooklyn my entire life and having never received formal sexual education, I know they are telling the truth.
So if you think scare tactics and shameful ads are going to work, think again. In fact it is just making the situation worse. I’m mostly concerned with who the agency talked to before creating these controversial ads. It definitely was not teen parents!! I wonder how agencies feel they can solve a problem without consulting the people on the ground and the young people with the “situated knowledge.” As a millennial of color, research shows that although my peers would like to decrease the rate of teen pregnancies, they also feel that society has a responsibility to provide young parents with the necessary resources and opportunities to lead healthy lives.
Lastly, I think these ads should be taken down, and the funding for this so-called Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Initiative should be redirected to organizations working to provide real comprehensive sexual education, access to contraception, teen parenting programs, affordable childcare and job opportunities for young people. Education, inclusion and empowerment is how we solve real issues not by attaching stigma to young people, especially young women!
As International Womens Day approaches, some Jamaican women are taking the opportunity to look and see how progressive they think the country and the world has been in terms of equality and empowerment for women and women rights.
In an article published in the Jamaica Observer’s “All Woman” magazine today March 4, 2013 they asked the question ’Do you think as women we’ve finally attained empowerment? How far are we away from equal rights, or have we reached this goal?’ to some women who some may say are trailblazers in the fight for womens rights.
Below are some of the answers given by these lovely women;
Professor Verene Shepherd, director of the Institute for Gender and Development Studies:
If you look at the positions women hold today, and if you look at their education level, then you would be tempted to say we have. But I have to say that as long as the society remains patriarchal, and as long as there is a belief in hegemonic masculinity, then I don’t think you can say that we have totally overcome. The society needs to change and there needs to be a belief in gender equality all around and we don’t have that yet, so I would say that despite the gains, we have some way to go to achieve the total empowerment of women.
Yendi Phillipps, former Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe:
From an international perspective, women have come a far way. I believe that we have grown tremendously in terms of the recognition of our ability, the recognition of us being capable leaders, and of us being respectable citizens of each society or country that we are from. I find that we have more and more leaders of nations as women, we have more government representatives as women, we also have CEOs and general managers and heads of companies as women. Do I think the battle is done and we are content? No! I think that we still have a far way to go in terms of the perception of women and our abilities.
Dr Sandra Knight, chairman of the National Family Planning Board and anti-ageing physician:
Globally the rights of women as it pertains to bodily integrity and autonomy — to vote (suffrage); to hold public office; to work; to fair wages or equal pay; to own property; to education; to serve in the military or be conscripted; to enter into legal contracts; and to have marital, parental and religious rights have increased. Women have come a long way in achieving sufficient status in many societies to propel some even to the highest seat of office. There are gaps, however, and many of these are controlled by males persistent in the concept of what a female should or should not be.
Other advances that women have made, I believe, are precariously close to undermining a few of the fundamental tenets of healthy societies. Research is more and more showing that the empowered female is choosing not to have families (artificial insemination of single females have increased four-fold in the last decade); bartering for sex is acceptable and wildly practised (data shows that in Jamaica it is the more emotionally intelligent females that orchestrate transactional sex); and of course the apparent demasculinisation in the society has seen the increase of violent males who target women for abuse but also unleash terror on others. So have women cone a long way? Yes. But the distance that we need to go should be a guided one.
For more on the article please click the link below, its a very good read.
Refusing to learn how to pronounce Quvenzhané’s name says, pointedly, you are not worth the effort. The problem is not that she has an unpronounceable name, because she doesn’t. The problem is that white Hollywood, from Ryan Seacrest and his homies to the AP reporter who decided to call her “Annie” rather than her real name, doesn’t deem her as important as, say, Renee Zellweger, or Zach Galifianakis, or Arnold Schwarzenegger, all of whom have names that are difficult to pronounce–but they manage. The message sent is this: you, young, black, female child, are not worth the time and energy it will take me to learn to spell and pronounce your name. You will be who and what I want you to be; you be be who and what makes me more comfortable. I will allow you to exist and acknowledge that existence, but only on my terms.
“After being a part of The Real L Word, I learned of many other young LGBTQ people of color who were also in need of LGBTQ role models, a role I certainly couldn’t take on alone. So I wanted to create BlackOUT as a space were LGBTQ individuals can see themselves, people like them, experiences like theirs.”
“…But would it really be horror, Shayla? It’s 2013 in allegedly post racial America. Your president is Black for crying out loud. Wouldn’t that word just roll right off your back?
Quite the contrary. All that is precisely the reason why it doesn’t. A complete stranger has the ability to come along and remind you that, still, after all this time and all the progress you think you’ve made, people still hate you just because your skin is brown. And in an instance, with little more effort than it takes to breathe, can reduce you to absolutely nothing…”
No, really. It did.
Colleen Clark is an Illustrator and she made this awesome comic about body image. It’s short but it highlights the frustrating scale by which a person’s worth is measured. You’ve gotta be something, but not too much.
In January, Maryland lawmakers introduced a bill that would ban anti-transgender discrimination in the workplace, housing and public accommodations. When I received a call from Equality Maryland urging me to take action, I was shocked because I had no idea that this was going on. In my opinion, such rights are a given. But I guess that’s not the case at all if a person can be turned away from housing or a job for being transgender.
Maryland is apparently one of the 21 states and D.C. that have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation, while the nation’s capital and 16 states have passed laws that ban anti-trans discrimination. Support the Fairness for All Marylanders Act of 2013 (SB499) and help move Maryland forward on the path to true equality.
You can do so by signing the petition, sending a letter to your local Maryland official, or calling said official’s office.
SEE COMPLETE IMAGE:
http://stfuprolifers.tumblr.com/image/44301669632
Anti-choice activist Jill Stanek recently published online the name and photo of a woman who passed away following a late abortion at the Maryland clinic of Dr. Leroy Carhart. The name and picture of the woman, I’ll call her Marie, along with information about her job, marriage, and pregnancy were soon all over the internet. Protesters plastered Marie’s picture on signs and marched outside Dr. Carhart’s clinic and held a “vigil” outside the emergency room where she was treated. Internet commentators characterized Marie’s husband, parents, and sister, who traveled with her from out-of-state for the three-day procedure, as everything from bad Catholics to killers. Beyond being immoral, unethical and unbelievably cruel, making the family’s tragedy public without their consent was likely illegal.-See more at: http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2013/02/28/unethical-cruel-and-likely-illegal-anti-choicers-make-familys-tragedy-public-without-their-consent/#sthash.qKSJmEww.dpuf
The Arkansas Legislature has approved the earliest abortion ban in the nation.
And it’s now up to Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe to decide what to do next. If he vetoes the bill, his veto could be overridden by a simple majority in the Republican Legislature as it was earlier Thursday on a similar 20-week abortion ban bill.
The Arkansas Senate gave final approval Thursday morning to the Human Heartbeat Protection Act, which would ban abortions at 12 weeks into pregnancy if a heartbeat is detected, with exceptions for cases of rape or incest, to save the life of the mother or for a lethal fetal condition. The bill now goes directly to Beebe.
Through “fetal pain” laws, other states have begun approving abortion bans at around 20 weeks into pregnancy — such a ban became law in Arkansas with the veto override early Thursday — but this bill would go further, turning Arkansas into the only state to ban abortions that early in a pregnancy.
Abortion rights groups immediately urged Beebe to reject the bill. “This extreme legislation would insert politics into women’s personal medical decisions, and we urge Gov. Beebe to veto it immediately,” Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said in a statement.
“Lawmakers in Arkansas are placing women’s lives on the line by passing the most severe ban on access to safe, legal medical care this country has seen in recent years,” said Talcott Camp, deputy director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project.
In vetoing the 20-week ban on Tuesday, Beebe said the bill violated Supreme Court precedent that establishes states cannot limit abortions before viability. That was one of 10 “fetal pain” laws that have been enacted in 10 states, based on the assertion that the fetus can experience pain after 20 weeks. Cases have been filed against such laws in Arizona and Georgia.
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/arkansas-legislature-passes-12-week-abortion-ban-88245.html
I have had an abortion. Most people who know me know that. I’m very open about it and fervently pro-choice. I had to start my piece like this, so you’ll understand where I’m coming from. I’m not writing this post out of malice, but for educational purposes. I haven’t been able to find any other pieces on this subject, so maybe I’m wrong. If I am I would appreciate any readers to provide me with some cold hard medical facts. Okay?
Before my abortion I had a transvaginal ultrasound. This was in mid-2011, so before TVUs got famous. When I saw the device I was wary and my reaction was something along the lines of “woah what’s that? Do I have to have that because I don’t want it.” The woman said yes it was necessary for the procedure and she’s sorry. She didn’t say it was required by law or whatever, but that it was necessary. She didn’t show me the ultrasound or talk about it or even offer to. The whole thing was over in about two minutes. I had a surgical abortion at nine weeks and I was assured this was needed for my procedure.
Then eventually the TVU law proposals starting arriving and I was incredibly confused and hurt. Had something wrong been done to me? By that clinic? That clinic that saved my future? That clinic I was eternally grateful to? That clinic that advertises “comprehensive reproductive services in a supportive, nonjudgmental, knowledge-based environment?” That clinic that boasts that it has “the most experienced clinic staff in the region?” That clinic which is part of the National Abortion Federation?
All of these activists were and still are posting images of ultrasound wands with captions like “up mine? Up yours?” and talking about TVUs being a violation and comparing them to rape. This was/is really upsetting to me. I felt weirdly betrayed by my savior clinic. So I called them. I just briefly asked why they do TVUs and the clinic worker said because it was needed for the procedure. I felt pretty satisfied with that answer.
Of course I think this mandatory TVU legislation is terrible and wrong. It’s unethical for legislators with no medical expertise to be putting this into law. Since when are bills about medical procedure? Those are two entirely different fields. Where are the laws going into detail about thermometer or blood drawing procedure? Why is abortion any different? Why would a bill by those with no medical degree be dictating what practitioners do? Also, are states competing for the most ridiculous TVU bill? Now apparently there are bills requiring two TVUs.
Honestly I have not take part in this debate because it made me uncomfortable. The anti-choice side was clearly wrong, but for the first time I also felt the pro-choice side was wrong. They weren’t being outraged about the right things. They weren’t being outraged about why specifically this legislation was terrible instead they were just proclaiming TVUs were terrible. I don’t know why I’m talking in past tense. This is still going on. So, pro-choice activists are proclaiming that what is in some clinics vital to abortion is a violation and basically a desecration of human rights. They’re starting to sound like the anti-choicers to me. I mean what if legislators start listening? What if they start believing TVUs are a violation and try to ban them? What does that mean for the clinics that use them? Will abortion access become more difficult and expensive? Are these pro-choicers hurting the movement?
I’m working on expanding my knowledge. Nowhere on prochoice.org does it say TVUs are “medically unnecessary” like so many pro-choicers are claiming. This week I asked my abortion clinic for more in depth reasoning into their usage of TVUs. This was their response:
“There is no mandated law in TN that requires a vaginal ultrasound although they are trying to pass a law currently to require an ultrasound 24 – 72 hours before an abortion with the sound of a heart beat, verbal description of the u/s picture and a copy of the picture given to the patient. Here at [name removed] we routinely perform a vaginal ultrasound for patients who may be under 12 weeks and an abdominal ultrasound for patient who may be over 12 weeks. Because a patient can have missed a period and not be pregnant or can have a period and be pregnant, (it is possible to have periods all the way up until delivery) until we do an ultrasound we do not know for sure her gestational age. An accurate gestational age supports providing the best possible care for our patients. We do not however show her a picture, hear a heartbeat (which we don’t have the equipment for) or describe the u/s to the patient unless she requests it.”
Basically I’m demanding more education on this issue for everyone. Because honestly I’m offended that my supposed allies are telling me I was violated. It almost feels like they’re belittling rape. Why is it so difficult to find resources on this? Why can’t I find other articles with this viewpoint? Is it the abortion stigma? Are women not talking about it because they don’t feel comfortable talking about their abortion? Are abortion providers not coming forward so that they don’t disclose their profession and put themselves at risk? I’m concerned and I demand more information.
It passed with votes of 286 to 138.
The NY Times describes the legislation:
The newly passed legislation creates and expands federal programs to assist local communities with law enforcement and aiding victims of domestic and sexual abuse. Most notably, the bill goes further by offering protections for gay, bisexual or transgender victims of domestic abuse, as well as allowing American Indian women who are assaulted on reservations by non-Indians to take their case to tribal courts, which otherwise would not have jurisdiction over assailants who do not live on tribal land.
And who are the 138 representatives who voted against this?
Here’s the name and shame:
Aderholt
Amash
Bachmann
Barton
Bentivolio
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Bonner
Brady (TX)
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Broun (GA)
Burgess
Campbell
Cantor
Carter
Cassidy
Chabot
Chaffetz
Collins (GA)
Conaway
Cotton
Crawford
Culberson
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Ellmers
Fincher
Fleischmann
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Fortenberry
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Garrett
Gingrey (GA)
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gosar
Gowdy
Graves (GA)
Graves (MO)
Griffin (AR)
Griffith (VA)
Guthrie
Hall
Harris
Hartzler
Hastings (WA)
Hensarling
Holding
Hudson
Huelskamp
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hurt
Johnson (OH)
Jones
Jordan
Kelly
King (IA)
Kingston
Labrador
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Lankford
Latta
Long
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lummis
Marchant
Marino
Massie
McCaul
McClintock
Meadows
Mica
Miller (FL)
Mullin
Mulvaney
Murphy (PA)
Neugebauer
Noem
Nunnelee
Olson
Palazzo
Perry
Petri
Pittenger
Pitts
Pompeo
Posey
Price (GA)
Radel
Ribble
Rice (SC)
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rohrabacher
Rooney
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Salmon
Scalise
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Southerland
Stewart
Stockman
Stutzman
Thornberry
Wagner
Walberg
Weber (TX)
Wenstrup
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Wolf
Womack
Woodall
Yoho
Finally, I am crying tears of joy today, the House of Representatives, which has stalled in passing a version of the Violence Against Women Act that was inclusive of the LGBT community, finally passed the more inclusive Senate version.
From CNN:
Thursday’s votes reflected an emerging political reality in the GOP-led House, with a minority of Republicans joining Democrats to pass legislation supported by the public, including increasingly influential demographics such as Hispanic Americans.
By a vote of 166-257, the GOP version of the Violence Against Women Act failed to win a majority after almost 90 minutes of debate. The House then voted 286-138 to pass the Senate version, with 87 Republicans joining all 199 Democrats to provide majority support.
Originally passed in 1994 and reauthorized since, the act provides support for organizations that serve domestic violence victims. Criminal prosecutions of abusers are generally the responsibility of local authorities, but the act stiffened sentences for stalking under federal law.
Supporters credit the act with sharply reducing the number of lives lost to domestic violence over the past two decades.
Last year, the House and Senate were unable to compromise on another extension of the act, with Republicans opposing Democratic attempts to specify inclusion of native Americans, undocumented immigrants and lesbian, transgender and bisexual women.
For the first time in our history, it will now be against federal law to tell a woman who is lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender that they cannot receive domestic violence services, and it will now be illegal to tell a transgender woman who is displaced by domestic violence that they cannot be in a women’s shelter. As a survivor myself, I now feel safe in mind that I will have a place to go if I ever am threatened by roommates again.
In other good news, Native American women will be protected from violence by provisions that give a “long arm” to tribal courts to prosecute sexual abuse against Natives by non-Natives.
Thank you to all those representatives who put the needs of LGBT, Native American, and/or immigrant women above petty partisanship, which included practically EVERY single representative in the Philadelphia area. You have made me cry tears of joy.
-Jordan Gwendolyn Davis
By now, everybody seems to have heard of the misogynist behaviour of Seth MacFarlane, the creator of 3 animated TV shows, each containing a loveable idiot, an attractive wife, a loser son, a daughter who hates him, a comically sized sadist, and a non-human best friend, at the Oscars on Sunday.
According to the Huffington Post:
Two female California state lawmakers have condemned Oscar host Seth MacFarlane’s comments during Sunday’s awards presentation as degrading toward women and asked the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to use better judgment in the future.
Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal and Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson…. sent a letter to Academy President Hawk Koch on Tuesday, requesting that the organization disavow MacFarlane’s behavior.
They objected to the comedian’s focus on the physical appearance of several actresses and quips about nude scenes.
“Furthermore, there was a disturbing theme about violence against women being acceptable and funny,” the lawmakers wrote. “From topical jabs about domestic violence to singing about `boobs’ during a film’s rape scene, Seth MacFarlane crossed the line from humor to misogyny.”
Fun fact, I used to be a fan of the show Family Guy, in fact, as a young wild-eyed progressive activist in college, I found a spirit animal (no pun intended) in Brian Griffin, the Prius driving, Michael Moore reading, anthropomorphic dog. However, we trans people, for almost THREE years now, knew of MacFarlane’s misogynistic tendencies, except in that episode “Quagmire’s Dad“, he made fun of transwoman, probably the most marginalized subset of women there are. A few of the most egregious offenses from that episode include:
1) At the beginning of the episode, Quagmire’s father, Dan, who becomes Ida, who is visiting Quahog, the town where the show is set, is portrayed as a stereotypically flamboyant effeminate gay male. When Quagmire asks if his father is gay, he reveals he came to Quahog for gender confirmation surgery. In reality, transition is a long and hard process, I have been out since 2009 and my male genitalia is STILL intact and I still have man-face, even though hormones have helped alleviate such. No surgeon would operate on someone who has not come out yet, and there is no way that someone would go into the hospital presenting as obviously male and come out looking and presenting female.
2) There was a scene where Ida comes over to the Griffin household for dinner and brings a dish, which, unbeknownst to her, gets thrown out, demonstrating a view that we are somehow diseased and that we should be marginalized. I see that incident also as a metaphor for my life as a transgender/LGBQ and progressive activist. I feel like any achievement I might have accomplished is thrown out like that casserole due to the fact that I am a strong-willed transsexual woman.
3) Towards the end of the episode, Brian Griffin, who is absent from the episode as a whole and is unaware of the happenings around Ida, meets her at a bar and then develops a sexual relationship with her. When he finds out that Ida used to be “Dan”, Brian proceeds to vomit for a full forty seconds, as if we are somehow disgusting. He also proceeds to wonder why the neighborhood hasn’t been notified, which plays into fears of transgender women being sex offenders.
The whole problem with this show and Seth MacFarlane’s misogyny, both trans and cis, is that he is NOT your stereotypical image of a misogynist. MacFarlane and Brian Griffin, who is used often as a soapbox for MacFarlane’s Bush-hating, pro-gay, pro-environment view, is a supposedly progressive minded person who appears to be someone who fights for the rights of all, yet harbors deep misogynistic (both cis- and trans-) views. At least with the religious right, you know who the enemy is, MacFarlane’s just an enemy posing as a friend.
And yet, to various degrees, there are a lot of Seth MacFarlanes in my world. They are the people who marginalize me, who pat me on the head and tell me “that’s a good little boy” and then ignores what I have to say. I’ve been ignored and looked at funny at rallies for public education, I’ve been misgendered by people whom I have shared a bus ride with to Harrisburg to fight for a common cause, I’ve even been asked why I am wearing women’s clothing AT AN ANTI-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RALLY. Sadly, I have to say, these are not my people, and there are so few people that I am in my comfort zone dealing with, that it impedes any good I wish to do.
To all the people who are fans of Seth MacFarlane due to his edginess and his purported progressivism, please remember that if you base your views on social issues on his “comedic output”, you are marginalizing women, both cis and trans, and contributing to physical, emotional, and relational violence against us.
-Jordan Gwendolyn Davis
This is a post by a fellow blogger called BrashBlackNonBeliever. These are her words and feelings about how “pro-life” advocates use PoC, specifically Black women and children, to further their agenda. Some of it will be edited for language censorship.
“I am beyond f****** SICK of these so-called “pro-life” advocates using Black women and children to further their agenda.
Those conservative assholes don’t give a F*** about us when we’re walking this earth, but I’m supposed to believe they give a f*** about Black babies? I’m supposed to believe these motherfuckers actually care about pregnant Black women?!
They don’t give a f*** about Black families in the hood, struggling to live.
They don’t give a f*** about the single Black mothers doing everything they can for their kids.
They really don’t give a f*** about the Black parents on welfare.
No, to them, we’re nothing but welfare queens and wh**** who never should have spread their legs.
Our children are nothing but drug dealers, thugs, or future drug addicts and prostitutes who need to be put down like dogs.
That is, until one of us gets pregnant and they need a new face for their “pro-life” campaign.
Then our babies are “precious children.”
Then they pretend to be worried about the future of the Black race.
Only then do we need to protect ourselves against “extinction” by never having abortions.
Only then do they care oh so much about racism and they seek to warn us about how racist Planned Parenthood and abortions are.
Well I, for one, am completely fed up with their BS. I can see right through them. They don’t give a f*** about Black people and they never have.
Stop using Black bodies as props and pawns.”
http://stfuprolife.tumblr.com/post/43324196733/brashblacknonbeliever-i-am-beyond-fucking-sick
“When I introduce the concept of reproductive justice to new audiences, at lectures or workshops, I always frame it in the same way. I use a really simple exercise, where I draw a stick figure on a piece of butcher paper, or an easel, or a chalkboard. Then I ask the question: “What things in this person’s life will impact their ability to create the family they want to create?” Usually it takes a few minutes for the audience to get going, but within five or ten minutes the result is a stick figure with many, many issues written in bubbles around them. Things like religion, money, environment, language, race, gender, sexuality, laws, incarceration end up surrounding the person.
This activity is a pretty decent illustration of my definition of reproductive justice—it’s working to build a world where everyone has what they need to create the family they want to create. And that work requires incorporating and taking into account all of those items written in bubbles on the diagram, as well as many we probably leave out. Almost always this exercise results in “ah ha” moments, and it’s had a striking universality—from using it with college students to using it in Latina immigrant communities on the border. Reproductive justice is an easier concept to explain in ten minutes than in a two-word soundbite, like pro-choice, but that additional context also allows for so many more of the issues and challenges or our every day lives to be made visible and explicitly included in our work.”
http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2013/02/08/communicating-complexity-reproductive-justice/
“I suspect it’s difficult for men to imagine a world in which their bodies have long been inextricably linked to their value as an individual, and that no matter how encouraging your parents were or how many positive female role models you had or how self-confident you feel, there is an ever-present pressure that creeps in from all sides, whispering in your ear that you are your body and your body defines you. A world where, from the time of pubescence on, you can feel the constant and palpable weight of the male gaze, and not just from your male peers but from teachers and sports coaches and the fathers of the children you baby-sit, people you’re supposed to respect and trust and look up to, and that first realization that you are being looked at in that way is the beginning of a self-consciousness that you will be unable to shake for the rest of your life. Even if they are never verbalized, the rules of bodily conduct for females become clear early on: when school administrators reprimand you for the inch of midriff that shows when you lift your hands straight in the air or youth group leaders tell you that the sight of your unintentional cleavage is what causes godly young men to fall, you learn that your body is dangerous and shameful and that it’s your responsibility to cloister it in a way that is acceptable to everyone else. You learn that your body is a topic of public debate that everyone is entitled to weigh in on, from a male classmate telling you that those jeans make your ass look huge to the male-dominated United States Congress dictating the parameters that rape must fall within to be considered legitimate. To be a woman, and to live life in a woman’s body, is to be held to a set of comically paradoxical standards that make you constantly second-guess yourself and jump through a million hoops in pursuit of an impossible perfection.”
As someone who is Vietnamese and also identifies as being queer, these images really struck a chord with me. I rarely really see backgrounds or faces like my own in the LGBTQ or mainstream feminist/reproductive & sexual healthcare and rights movement, due to lack of representation and exclusion.
So, I’m sharing a few images of queer folks in Vietnam.
This couple of one year (Phat & Minh) are grooming their dogs.
This couple of one year (Vy & Bay) are just relaxing at home, watching TV and snacking.
This couple (Thien and Vuong) works at a wedding studio together and are having some lunch.
They’ve been together for more than five years now. Ly is drying her cat after a bath, and Huyen is trying her new blades.
Hung and Ngan are relaxing at home, listening to some music. They’ve been together for six years.
Consider this a lens into another culture. They’re real people who are experiencing love. They’re just ordinary people doing ordinary things.
Beyond aesthetics, I find these images to be great political statements given the social context.
Check out the photographer responsible for these images!
xoJane tells you how. Sarah Innis does a great job in this article of providing strategies to call out people when they say something racist/sexist/homophobic/transphonic in conversation with you. Innis even gives you the break down on how you should interrogate these kinds of prejudicial sentiments depending on who you are interacting with (i.e. family member, coworker, stranger, etc.).
Having been in situations like this more times that I would care to remember, I thought Innis’ guide was practical and helpful. The situation that I find myself in more frequently though, is how to handle this situation when you are only overhearing someone else’s conversation. I feel like people have the right to go through the world without harassment, but if they say, “don’t be such a f*g” or “that’s so ghetto” in the proximity of me, am I crossing a line by confronting them? So, now, I pose this question to you all: how do react when you overhear someone say someone say something racist/sexist/homophobic/transphobic/classist/ableist/etc.?
On Valentines Day my daughter, Leilani, and I participated in a Flash Mob as part of the One Billion Raising Movement. We danced together and along side hundreds of women to end violence against women.
Jamaica ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1991. In doing so the country pledged to the international community to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the civil, economic, social and political rights of its child citizens. These rights are broken down into 3 main areas which include:
1. Provision – the right to possess, receive or have access to certain things or services. 2. The right to be shielded from harmful acts and practices and
3. Participation- the child has a right to be heard on decisions affecting his or her life.
Here are a few other rights to be considered. Do our laws and policies create an enabling environment for the following?
• Article 2: Non discrimination – all rights must be granted to each child without exception. The state must protect the child from all forms of discriminations.
• Article 4: Implementation of rights- the obligation on the state to ensure that rights in the Convention are implemented.
• Article 6: Life, survival and development- the right of the child to life and the state’s obligation to ensure the child’s survival and development.
• Article 12: Expression of opinion- the right of the child to express his or her opinion and to have this taken into consideration
• Article 13: Freedom of expression and information- the right to seek, receive, and impart information in various forms including art, print and writing.
• Article 24: Healthcare – access to preventative and curative healthcare services as well as the gradual abolition of traditional practices harmful to the child.
• Article 28: Education- the right to free primary education, the availability of vocational educating, and the need for measures to reduce dropout rates.
• Article 34: Sexual exploitation- protection of the child from sexual exploitation including prostitution and the use of children in pornographic materials.
There are several others but has Jamaica observed these given in real terms? It is often times said that the type of future outlook or indicator for any nation is the way it treats it children or youth.
Jamaica ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1991. In doing so the country pledged to the international community to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the civil, economic, social and political rights of its child citizens. These rights are broken down into 3 main areas which include:
1. Provision – the right to possess, receive or have access to certain things or services. 2. The right to be shielded from harmful acts and practices and
3. Participation- the child has a right to be heard on decisions affecting his or her life.
Here are a few other rights to be considered. Do our laws and policies create an enabling environment for the following?
• Article 2: Non discrimination – all rights must be granted to each child without exception. The state must protect the child from all forms of discriminations.
• Article 4: Implementation of rights- the obligation on the state to ensure that rights in the Convention are implemented.
• Article 6: Life, survival and development- the right of the child to life and the state’s obligation to ensure the child’s survival and development.
• Article 12: Expression of opinion- the right of the child to express his or her opinion and to have this taken into consideration
• Article 13: Freedom of expression and information- the right to seek, receive, and impart information in various forms including art, print and writing.
• Article 24: Healthcare – access to preventative and curative healthcare services as well as the gradual abolition of traditional practices harmful to the child.
• Article 28: Education- the right to free primary education, the availability of vocational educating, and the need for measures to reduce dropout rates.
• Article 34: Sexual exploitation- protection of the child from sexual exploitation including prostitution and the use of children in pornographic materials.
There are several others but has Jamaica observed these given in real terms? It is often times said that the type of future outlook or indicator for any nation is the way it treats it children or youth.
Jamaica continues to be a country that has a very youthful population and they can contribute so much to national development, but how will this happen if the voices of youth are just swept under the carpet? Unfortunately policies within Jamaica are not youth friendly since in the decision making process the voices of youths are not recognized. While leaders from various organizations around the world are preparing to meet in Bogotá, Colombia from 27 to 28 February 2013 to discuss what is working in their countries towards the Millennium Development Goals, most Jamaican youth will not be a part of this process. What happens after Post MDG 2015 in Jamaica is a crucial period which should see youth becoming more engage in the decision-making process which ultimately impacts on their future. We will never achieve the Millennium Development Goals in Jamaica until youth are being given the chance to voice their concerns.
Former Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton at “Youth Rising,” Tunisia on February 25, 2012 states, “There are underlying dynamics that are affecting young people everywhere- changes in demographics and technology, economics and politics that are bringing together this unique moment in history. Young people are at the heart of today’s great strategic opportunities and challenges, from rebuilding the global economy to combating violent extremism to building sustainable democracies” It is on this premise that it becomes much clearer that input in decision making should be coming from youth to identify unmet needs.
The USAID must be commended on presenting their first policy on youth in development; they have truly recognized the valuable contribution that youth can make in giving of their skills and resources in fostering holistic development in any nation. It is without reservation that I would recommend this policy to be used at its fullest potential within any given society where applicable.
A copy of this policy is available below in the link for your perusal.
Jason Madden
IYSO Council Member
Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen To Host Event Encouraging Dialogue Around Educational Inequality
Who: Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen is an annual event designed to showcase female artists and use hip-hop to raise awareness around social issues.
What: This year’s event, titled ‘No Limits…Knowledge is Power!’ features female educators, students, activists, DJs, emcees, b-girls, poets, visual artists and dancers who will convene to advocate for comprehensive sexual education curriculum in all school districts, smaller class sizes and educational opportunities for all children.
When: Saturday, March 2nd, 2013, from 2pm-5pm ET
Where: Hostos Community College Main Theater
450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street
Bronx, NY
Media RSVP and Interview Requests: Kathleen Adams, mhhk@mhhk.org
For more information visit:
About MHHK:
Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen (MHHK) is a multifaceted hip hop event designed to showcase women artists, especially women of color. MHHK serves as a social justice community-organizing platform that educates and empowers women of color on issues that impact their lives, including HIV/AIDS and reproductive justice. Our mission is to create a dynamic interactive exchange and safe space for all women of color to express themselves through art.
###
I have ABSOLUTELY NO WORDS – well some words – for the enormous loogie hocked in the faces of ethnic minorities in the form of the SI Swimsuit Edition.
“We need a fresh idea for the shoot”, said the head honcho. “I know! We’ll use people of color as PROPS! I am so going to win an award for this.”
How about we clap you in irons and pelt tomatoes at you?
JUST…
WHAT
IS
THIS?
As usual, there are people who think that labeling these photos as appropriative and exploitative are overreacting. How dare you sir?! I’ll have you know that even the men these photos were created for, think that using minorities are as props is very uncool. One person even questioned the undermining of China as an economic giant through its representation by a fisherman on a barge as opposed to all the other beautiful things about China.
My feeling is, there’s a HUMONGOUS difference between appreciating culture and appropriating it. An appreciation of culture requires an understanding and respect of its sacred nature; while appropriation is people using highly connotative aspects of cultures because, “Omg it’s so cool”. Don’t get me started.
But seriously, I would LOVE to know what everyone thinks.
(See link: http://stfuprolife.tumblr.com/post/42021609348/all-states-except-oregon-now-limit-abortion-access)
The above graph lists all the states and their abortion restrictions. Although, Roe v. Wade gives people the right to abortion, Planned Parenthood v. Casey gave states the right to limit access to abortion without posing an “undue burden.” Even though the World Health Organization has already declared that a restriction or limitation of safe, legal, and accessible abortion leads to a decrease in health for people, specifically women (although we all have the understanding that it’s not just women who are affected by this).
Some states have less than a handful of clinics that can even provide these services and some states simply have unreasonable restrictions that prevent people from getting the healthcare they need. This forces people to travel, sometimes out of their means, to get an abortion. Others seek more dangerous options. Until this changes, there are some things that are helping people right now.
There is a particular page that I have been supporting on my own site (ST*U, Pro-Life) called the Abortion Assistance Blog. This is how it describes itself:
A collection of abortion funds, individuals willing to provide transportation and/or lodging before and after your appointment, and other resources.
This blog is intended to be a resource for people of all genders, races, sexualities, and abilities. If you are offering help, but not willing to help someone based on one of those categories, please say so. Everyone deserves to be safe and supported.
This blog has several links, providing help and information. It lets readers know how they can help or where they can find help. Many people go on the blog leaving contact information or simply letting others know that they could provide transportation, lodging, or monetary support. I recommend to everyone to check it out and share.
It’s just not enough to just say that we support reproductive/sexual health care and rights anymore. It never has been.
Yet another study that disproves that men and women are fundamentally different.
Everyone, throw out your copy of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. That book is a load of crap anyway. Anyone who has taken a gender studies class has known this. Yet the notion that men and women are inherently different still invades our culture. For some reason, people still look at gender as if it’s on a linear spectrum from point A to point B rather than gradations of several variables.
But lo and behold, yet another study backed up by the American Psychological Association delivers another credible opposition against the idea that men and women are so different from each other from how they act and think.
The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology analyzes 122 different characteristics from over 13,000 individuals in 13 studies. The Journal is divided into three sections. According to the study, these sections are:
Attitudes and Social Cognition addresses those domains of social behavior in which cognition plays a major role, including the interface of cognition with overt behavior, affect, and motivation.
Among topics covered are the formation, change, and utilization of attitudes, attributions, and stereotypes, person memory, self-regulation, and the origins and consequences of moods and emotions insofar as these interact with cognition.
Of interest also is the influence of cognition and its various interfaces on significant social phenomena such as persuasion, communication, prejudice, social development, and cultural trends.
Interpersonal Relations and Group Processes focuses on psychological and structural features of interaction in dyads and groups.
Appropriate to this section are papers on the nature and dynamics of interactions and social relationships, including interpersonal attraction, communication, emotion, and relationship development, and on group and organizational processes such as social influence, group decision making and task performance, intergroup relations and aggression, prosocial behavior and other types of social behavior.
Personality Processes and Individual Differences publishes research on all aspects of personality psychology. It includes studies of individual differences and basic processes in behavior, emotions, coping, health, motivation, and other phenomena that reflect personality.
Articles in areas such as personality structure, personality development, and personality assessment are also appropriate to this section of the journal, as are studies of the interplay of culture and personality and manifestations of personality in everyday behavior.
“Although gender differences on average are not under dispute, the idea of consistently and inflexibly gender-typed individuals is,” Bobbi J. Carothers of Washington University in St. Louis and Harry T. Reis of the University of Rochester from the study explains, “That is, there are not two distinct genders, but instead there are linear gradations of variables associated with sex, such as masculinity or intimacy, all of which are continuous.”
Click to see the study here!
On Valentine’s Day, I decided to take a ride to LOVE park, where Philadelphia’s One Billion Rising Celebration was taking place.
According to local activist Caryn Hunt:
Today all over the world, feminists – women and men, will gather together in solidarity against violence towards women. In Philadelphia, One Billion Rising will happen at Love Park, at 2:14PM.
The event is the creative juggernaut of Eve Ensler, the feminist activist and playwright best known for The Vagina Monologues. She has traveled the world speaking everywhere as a witness to the misery and horror that women face simply because they are women, and because entrenched patriarchal cultural “norms” ignore or discount violence against women and girls. There is no end to the injustice once you become aware of it. And trust me, at some point, almost every woman on the planet becomes aware of it.
Ensler’s event has drawn some criticism for not doing enough to actually deter violence against women, and for including men. It shows a kind of immaturity to whine about what Ensler hasn’t done, compared to what she has done. That aside, it is an old, old criticism of the feminist movement to slam privileged white women for their efforts to change things for more oppressed female groups.
While I do agree that it does not do enough to bring attention to the issue of violence, it is a creative way to bring attention to women’s issues around the globe. And also, some have criticized the event for including men. While I am understanding of the idea of women’s space, we have to be careful that transgender women aren’t lumped in as men.
This came true when an attendee asked me why I was wearing women’s clothes. I will admit that I am not the most passable transwoman, but that question made me feel so uncomfortable inside, as if I was some dudebro who was trying to make a mockery out of the event and to “appropriate” women’s struggles. Although the woman backed off when I told her I was transsexual, it is still a case study of transgender women and their relation to women’s rights.
I am a feminist. I support the rights of both cisgender and transgender women. I support the rights of cisgender women to have an abortion, to use birth control, and to have access to screenings for various cancers and domestic violence services. I also support the right of transgender women to be recognized as women and to be able to access all transition related medical care, as well as to access women’s spaces, and to not have to be thrown in the men’s side of things. I will always support both cis and transwomen’s issues, don’t get me wrong, but instances such as these make me potentially uneasy about organizing in mainstream feminist circles or attending events such as this, as there seem to be too many people who think I am some form of “male invader”.
But at any rate, a transgender woman whom I am friends with heard the exchange, and after a while, I just decided I couldn’t dance and that I was going to stand on the sidelines like a grumpycat while the women attended did some Zumba.
It is getting more difficult for me to identify as a feminist these days, even though there are a lot of good people associated with that label!!!
-Jordan Gwendolyn Davis
http://www.fundabortionnow.org/explore/by_state
(oldie but goody)
In the days leading up to the Superbowl, automobile manufacturer Volkswagen released its gameday spot. The commercial depicted a white man going about his business at work. But wait! It’s not THAT simple, he was speaking patois. Or at least what can be deemed as patois while blurring the lines between linguistics and accentual comprehension. New York Times columnist Charles Blow has compared it to blackface in audio form and I wholeheartedly agree.
So far, most of the people I’ve talked to and almost all the comments I’ve read on articles discussing this commercial have been in its favor, accompanied by trite cries of “Oh it’s not that serious!”. It’s infuriating to see so many people approach this topic with the same lackadaisical attitude as they do with everything pertaining to race. No matter how insignificant it may seem, addressing the claims of racism is still a small step towards breaking down racial tension and ensuring social equity. Just because it’s not inciting people to lead riots does not mean it’s not demeaning or harmful. Just take your licks, say you’re sorry and move on. But then, I also understand that this is one of those cases where “All publicity is good publicity”.
Volkswagen claims to have spoken to 100 Jamaicans during its creative process for this commercial, and released a statement claiming that the aim of the commercial was to put smiles on people’s faces and build upon the heritage of human stories. Whatever that means. You can read said statement here. There’s also a website dedicated to getting you and your friends happy.
C’mon Volkswagen, why couldn’t you be cool like Malibu and put an actual Jamaican/Caribbean person in the commercial? They found a way to be inclusive of various cultures’ enjoyment of Malibu Rum and dancehall vibes, so why couldn’t you? What? There are no immigrant Jamaicans in Minnesota? Or a Jamaican wouldn’t work in an office?
Someone made the argument about white Jamaicans but here’s the thing though. He was asked if he was Minnesotan and he said yes. There’s no explanation for his “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” shenanigans. Please stop trivializing the lives/cultures/experiences of people of color, no matter how minute you think it might be. The Burger King commercial of Mary J. Blige singing for her chicken supper didn’t make it, so why should this one?
Due to a number of factors including my laziness, lack of interest and a lack of mastery of the art of tv show recaps, this is my first post about American Horror Story: Asylum. If you haven’t seen any of the seasons, put that at the top of your to-do list. It will BLOW. YOUR. MIND. Most things that fall into the horror category don’t scare me unless they are about twisted humans of the “Human Centipede”/”A Serbian Film” variety. That stuff makes me want to build a colony on Mars away from all the craziness. AHS on the other hand is just the right mix of crazy and mindf*ckery. Take for instance season one – You’ve got the haunted house, the maid who appears to be different ages to different people, the ghosts of all the people who died in the house, the cute boy who always seems to get into the house no matter whether the doors are locked, mixed in with pop culture murder history like the Black Dahlia killing and Richard Speck murders. At one point I began to question my sanity. I kid you not. I do not recommend watching an entire season in one sitting.
Anyhoo, AHS: Asylum is set in Briarcliff Mental Institution, then run by the Catholic Church, and switches back and forth between the 1960s and present day. It begins with a young couple visiting the now abandoned Briarcliff on one of their many haunted house, honeymoon stops. Why couldn’t they just go to the Bahamas like normal people right? Just so I don’t spoil it, bad things happen and the viewers are taken back to 1964, when a serial killer by the name of “Bloodyface” has killed a number of women and skinned them. Around the same time, a newly married inter-racial couple, Kit and Alma Walker, are visited by a strange white light, after which Kit awakes to find his wife missing and himself blamed for the Bloodyface murders.
Enter Lana Winters, journalist and aspiring pioneer of whatever the hell she aspires to be. Lana is a lesbian and lives with her girlfriend Wendy, a school teacher. She visits the Asylum the day Kit is being committed under the guise of writing a story about the bakery. The bread didn’t look at all tasty but well…Lana’s visit does not end well and she ends up herself committed at Briarcliff with no one to help her. Sister Jude, who oversees the institution has threatened to out Lana and her girlfriend and Wendy is scared. I’m really bad at telling stories so I should probably stop now and get to the point. I get my long-windedness from my mother’s side. See?
Let’s just say that I liked the fact that AHS: Asylum explored not only issues of inter-racial relationships – which were at one point illegal – but also, LGBT issues. We didn’t just poof out of thin air y’all. We were always here. In one episode, Dr. Thredson, a consulting psychiatrist, tries Aversion-Conversion therapy on Lana, with the purported aim of helping her get out of there. If she continued to insist that she was gay, she would remain committed because the holier-than-thous of Briarcliff were determined to cure her. And because Lana is sick and tired of Briarcliff and its inhumane conditions, she agrees to try it.
The therapy basically consisted of attempts to recalibrate the sources of her sexual urges. That’s the best way I can think to explain it right now. Thredson had her watch slides of nude women while an IV fed a vomit-inducing drug into her system, in order to ingrain the message of repulsion. He also had a male patient come in and ordered Lana to touch his penis while simultaneously touching herself. What a degrading experience. Makes me wonder if practices like these are employed by so-called gay conversion therapists.
Despite everything, Lana came out on top. She wrote a book about her experiences in Briarcliff and with Bloodyface, and became a national sensation for her journalistic exposés. Plus she cheated death a bunch of times. I can’t discuss it any further without revealing some really good bits. Almost everyone had a peaceful ending, but she was the last one standing. And boy! Did she go out with a bang.
Now go watch all the available episodes of AHS! You can thank me later.
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