stork

OB/GYNs call for the pill to be available over-the-counter

This could be a game-changer, right? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommended that oral contraceptives should be available without a prescription.

Cost, access, and convenience issues are common reasons why women do not use contraception or use it inconsistently. There are no OCs currently approved for OTC access, but The College believes OTC availability will improve women’s access to and usage of contraception. The benefits of making OCs easily accessible OTC outweigh the risks, says The College.

It’s pretty ridiculous that this hasn’t already happened. Oh wait, I’m sorry–I forgot for a second that a vocal minority lives in an alternate universe where contraception doesn’t prevent unintended pregnancies and is, in fact, murder, or a

What We Missed: International Transgender Day of Remembrance Edition

Trans activists meet at the White House today to discuss the state of transgender rights.

The National Black Justice Coalition launched its #BlackTransProud campaign.

Find out what Day of Remembrance events are happening near you–in the US. and worldwide.

A message to cis allies from s.e. smith: “What we’re asking for is your solidarity and your willingness to work with us for a better world.”

Dr. Ziegler explains why centering race in trans advocacy is crucial.

HuffPo marks the day with a celebration of “50 Transgender Icons.”

And in other news…

Clinton heads to Gaza.

On the heels of a U.N. report naming Pakistan as one of the worst countries for children’s education, the country’s National Assembly passed a bill ...

Trans activists meet at the White House today to discuss the state of transgender rights.

The National Black Justice Coalition launched its #BlackTransProud campaign.

Find out what Day of Remembrance events are happening near you–in the US. ...

In defense of irony

Christy Wampole wants us to live without irony. In her weekend essay for the New York TimesOpinionator section, the Princeton lit professor encourages all of us—not just hipsters—to recognize the paucity of sincerity in contemporary American culture and  “determine whether the ashes of irony have settled on you as well.”

The essay’s been getting a lot of play, popping up again and again on my Twitter and Facebook, and there certainly are points to be admired, particularly from a feminist perspective. While I think irony and apathy are often unfairly conflated, Walpole is right that irony, often a mark of privilege, can dampen political enthusiasm and discourage progress—a point stressed in a number of recent pieces

Christy Wampole wants us to live without irony. In her weekend essay for the New York TimesOpinionator section, the Princeton lit professor encourages all of us—not just hipsters—to recognize the paucity of sincerity in contemporary ...

Infographic: Health disparities faced by the transgender community

Today is International Transgender Day of Remembrance, which calls on us to honor the memory of those “those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.” Violence against trans and other gender non-conforming people persists in many forms, including unacceptable health disparities resulting from discrimination and poor care. This infographic from Fenway Health (via Think Progress) presents a concise, powerful look at the situation:

Click here for larger version.

Today is International Transgender Day of Remembrance, which calls on us to honor the memory of those “those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.” Violence against trans and other gender non-conforming people persists ...

Watch: Rinku Sen wants to tear down racial hierarchy

Rinku Sen, publisher of Colorlines.com, president and executive director of the Applied Research Center, and overall feminist badass and warrior for racial justice, opened the Facing Race 2012 Conference in Baltimore this past weekend with a stirring call for activism. I dare you to watch this and not get goosebumps.

I’ll be pasting this up on my wall:

I don’t want to reverse the racial hierarchy. I want to take it apart. I want to change the course of human evolution. People say that racism is endemic to human beings. That we hate the stranger. That we need to protect ourselves. That we’re going to behave tribally because that’s who we are.

But I don’t think we have to live that way. I ...

Rinku Sen, publisher of Colorlines.com, president and executive director of the Applied Research Center, and overall feminist badass and warrior for racial justice, opened the Facing Race 2012 Conference in Baltimore this past weekend with a ...

CNN recognizes social justice heroes

Things can get pretty bleak out there. And sometimes also in my head. But! It isn’t all the assassination of women government officials investigating corruption and U.S. district judges saying it’s probably okay that a Christian book publisher doesn’t want to provide contraception to its employees.

No. This holiday, I’m thankful that there are extraordinary people out there doing extraordinary things. And that the mainstream media, or at least CNN, is recognizing and rewarding them.

CNN Heroes celebrates “everyday people changing the world.” For the past five years, CNN has honored several dozen social justice workers, human rights activists, and community organizers from around the world. In a hugely pleasant surprise, women and people of color have consistently been recognized in equal ...

Things can get pretty bleak out there. And sometimes also in my head. But! It isn’t all the assassination of women government officials investigating corruption and U.S. district judges saying it’s probably okay that a Christian book ...

hollywood

Infographic: Diversity in Hollywood

Or lack thereof, really.

Thanks to Brianna Higgins of BAH Studios Doodles for this nice infographic of casting practices in Hollywood, based on race. Culled from research by Sociological Images, we see only 11.1 percent of leading actor roles go to African Americans, only 1.2 percent to Latinos and only 1.8 percent to Asian Americans. So much for the beigeing and browning of America.

I do like that pale mauve shade that Brianna gives to “white,” though.

See more of her work here.

Or lack thereof, really.

Thanks to Brianna Higgins of BAH Studios Doodles for this nice infographic of casting practices in Hollywood, based on race. Culled from research ...

What We Missed

Two really important and moving videos about Savita Halappanavar, who died– no, was killed– after miscarrying 17 weeks into her pregnancy when doctors in Ireland refused to abort the fetus.

Why the term “Friend Zone” has a misogynistic undertone.

Ohio ignores sex ed so it can focus on War on Women.

Protests held around the world against Israel’s assault on Gaza, including one in Tel Aviv, which drew hundreds of people.

A six-year-old girl writes a letter to Hasbro, calling them out for all-male games.

 

Two really important and moving videos about Savita Halappanavar, who died– no, was killed– after miscarrying 17 weeks into her pregnancy when doctors in Ireland refused to abort the fetus.

Why the term “Friend Zone” has a misogynistic ...

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