2011 May Archive | Feministing

European Court rules Poland violated a woman’s human rights by refusing genetic tests

The Center for Reproductive Rights reports on a landmark ruling in Europe yesterday:

[T]he European Court of Human Rights ruled that Poland violated a woman’s human rights when she was repeatedly denied a prenatal genetic examination after a doctor discovered fetal irregularities during a sonogram. The test would have informed the woman’s decision on whether or not to terminate her pregnancy. For the first time in its history, the Court specifically found that an abortion-related violation amounted to inhumane and degrading treatment. The Court also cited a violation of the woman’s private life and ordered the Polish government to compensate her.

Poland has incredibly restrictive abortion laws, but they do allow for the procedure in cases of fetal abnormality. This ...

The Center for Reproductive Rights reports on a landmark ruling in Europe yesterday:

[T]he European Court of Human Rights ruled that Poland violated a woman’s human rights when she was repeatedly denied a prenatal genetic examination after ...

By Courtney • 12 years ago

What We Missed

Outraged about the acquittal of two NYC cops for rape? Take it to the streets: tomorrow, Friday, May 27th, 5-7pm, 100 Centre St. NY, NY

Jaz throws her two cents into the ongoing discussion of Beyonce’s girl power anthem.

An important reflection on white privilege within feminist organizations. And there’s more to come…

A preview of a new documentary film, Dark Girls.

Five ways sexism sucks for men.

Kristoff is at it again.

Outraged about the acquittal of two NYC cops for rape? Take it to the streets: tomorrow, Friday, May 27th, 5-7pm, 100 Centre St. NY, NY

Jaz throws her two cents into the ongoing discussion of Beyonce’s ...

By Jos Truitt • 12 years ago

The secret gender that wasn’t

There’s been way too much media coverage and plenty of faux controversy this week about the story of parents in Canada who didn’t include “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” with the announcement of the birth of their child, Storm.

A story in the Toronto Star claims Kathy Witterick and David Stocker “are raising a genderless baby.” Here’s what they actually said:

“‘When the baby comes out, even the people who love you the most and know you so intimately, the first question they ask is, ‘Is it a girl or a boy?'” says Witterick, bouncing Storm, dressed in a red-fleece jumper, on her lap at the kitchen table.

“If you really want to get to know someone, you don’t ...

By Megan McKendry • 12 years ago

Spotlighting Student Activism: CSU Students Implement Fee to Address Interpersonal Violence

The following post was written by Jennifer Babos, the Vice President of the student government at Colorado State University (CSU). Jennifer and her colleagues created funds for improved survivor services and preventive sexual assault programming at CSU by advancing evidence-based recommendations and drumming up support from student constituents. This article details her journey and acts as an excellent and inspiring case study for student organizers across North America who are working toward eliminating sexual violence on their campuses.

In Fort Collins, CO, the students of Colorado State University have voted to implement a brand new student fee to address interpersonal violence on campus. The fee is $4.00 a student/per semester, equaling around $189,600 a year, and it will be administered by ...

By Megan McKendry • 12 years ago

Today Show Only Covers Stories with Black Rapists

This piece was originally posted at Change Happens by Twe, SAFER’s Web Coordinator.

Apparently the producers at the Today Show did not read my last post about the lack of diversity in campus rape stories.

They highlighted the stories of two women survivors – one at Indiana University and the other at Wake Forest University. They had this weird thing where they felt that during an 8 minute clip they had to keep showing pictures of these (Big Bad Black) rapists OVER AND OVER during their narratives. It is so sad that there is so much focus on the images of the perpetrators when I still think it should be about the ramifications of violence on the survivors. ...

This piece was originally posted at Change Happens by Twe, SAFER’s Web Coordinator.

Apparently the producers at the Today Show did not read my last post about the lack of diversity in campus rape ...

By Jos Truitt • 12 years ago

It’s hard out here for whitey: a reality-free idea of racism

Imagine a world where the legacy of U.S. racism against black people – the middle passage, slave labor, the rape of black women to reproduce a workforce, Jim Crow laws, the KKK, lynching, workplace discrimination, the massive over-incarceration of black folks – was erased. Where the legacy of racism against other groups – the genocide of indigenous peoples, laws explicitly excluding Asian populations from the U.S., Japanese internment, the current vilification of Latinos and Muslims, not to mention prejudice against Jewish, Irish, and Italian immigrants before they were brought into whiteness – imagine if this wasn’t even a consideration.

Imagine pretending massive inequality doesn’t exist in the U.S.,. Pretend there’s not a racial wage gap that intersects with the ...

By Courtney • 12 years ago

Ed Shultz apologizes for calling Laura Ingraham a slut

A rare, deeply sincere apology from the realm of mainstream media. In my opinion, Ed Shultz of MSNBC deserves serious props for owning his failures and speaking to them so openly. The only thing that could have made it better, would be to hear him speak to the larger culture within which his language operates, but my guess is that he’s properly unprepared to do that. Thanks to the Women’s Media Center for highlighting this indignity.

By Jos Truitt • 12 years ago

BREAKING: New York police officers acquitted of rape

Trigger warning.

New York police officers Kenneth Moreno and Franklin Mata were found not guilty today of charges that Moreno raped a woman in her apartment while Mata kept guard.

The woman was drunk and her memory is hazy, a fact the defense took advantage of despite her memory of being penetrated. Video showed the officers leaving and returning to her apartment repeatedly. Moreno said he kissed the woman and “snuggled” with her when she wasn’t wearing a bra, but didn’t rape her. Yet in a conversation with the woman Moreno told a different story. From The New York Times:

One crucial piece of prosecution evidence was a secretly recorded conversation days later between the woman and Officer Moreno. In ...

Trigger warning.

New York police officers Kenneth Moreno and Franklin Mata were found not guilty today of charges that Moreno raped a woman in her apartment while Mata kept guard.

The woman was drunk and her memory is ...