2013 February Archive

Total(ly awesome, trans rights) frat move

The Emerson College chapter of Phi Alpha Tau definitely wins my (highly prestigious) award for Best Frat Ever. The brothers have raised over $8,100 for a gender-confirming surgery for member Donnie Collins. It’s inexcusable that Donnie’s insurance refused to cover his procedure, and many people don’t have supportive institutions to turn to when money is low. Still, it’s incredibly heartening to his friends’ efforts, particularly given fraternities’ historical dependence on strict gender policing.

For all the symbolic value, though, Donnie’s “thank you” video reminds us that, at the end of the day, this is about a real person now able to live his life the way he wants:

Donnie is donating excess funds raised to the Jim Collins Foundation, a non-profit ...

By Amy S. Choi • 11 years ago

Quick Hit of Inspiration: Musicians on “One Woman”

Twenty-five musicians from around the world, including Anoushka Shankar, Idan Raichel, and Buika, came together to collaborate on “One Woman,” a song designed to inspire listeners to fight for gender equality globally. The song was originally written for the launch of UN Women in 2011. The organization will release the track on March 8, International Women’s Day. Here, artists describe why they joined the movement, and what gender equality means to them.

By Amy S. Choi • 11 years ago

Breaking: The House likely to pass Senate version of VAWA

Good news: House Republicans are expected to let their watered-down version of the Violence Against Women Act die in order to pass the Senate version of the bill, which includes a provision that licenses Native American courts to prosecute non-Indians on tribal land and protections for LGBT and immigrant victims of violence. The House plans to hold their two votes on Thursday. VAWA could be on the president’s desk for signing as early as Friday. Finally.

Louise Erdrich, author of the recent National Book Award-winning The Round House, has a brutal, literary essay in the New York Times about just how important the new provisions for Native Americans are. She explains the legal system that allows non-Native men ...

By Amy S. Choi • 11 years ago

Liberal super PAC attacks former labor secretary for being Chinese

To add to the canon of not-only-Republicans-make-stupid-racist-comments, Former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao found herself at the receiving end of a vicious attack by Progress Kentucky, a liberal super PAC in Kentucky. Her sin? Being married to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Oh, and being Asian.

Here’s one tweet posted (and defended vigorously) by Progress Kentucky:

Despite whatever reservations one may have about Chao or McConnell’s conservative politics, this sort of attack is heinous and pathetic. Never mind that Chao was born in Taiwan, not China, never mind that she has been a U.S. citizen since she was a child, (despite Progress Kentucky’s suggestions that she “bought” her citizenship) and never mind that the allegations of ...

By Maya Dusenbery • 11 years ago

Daily Feminist Cheat Sheet

Today is the one-year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s murder. Honor his memory by fighting for change.

5 ways the sequester will hurt women.

Our own Janna on reproductive justice and taking the movement beyond the “pro-choice” label. (With quotes from many smart Feministing friends.)

A tumblr full of things said to lady journos.

Excellent piece by Roxane Gay on The Onion‘s joke about Quvenzhané Wallis.

Oh good, now you’ll probably only have to get one transvaginal ultrasound to get a medical abortion in Indiana.

Harlem teens show how the Harlem Shake is actually done.

Today is the one-year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s murder. Honor his memory by fighting for change.

5 ways the sequester will hurt women.

Our own Janna on reproductive justice and taking the movement beyond the ...

By Maya Dusenbery • 11 years ago

New documentary on the past 50 years of the feminist movement premieres tonight

We’re super excited to watch the new documentary “Makers: Women Who Make America” which chronicles the history of the feminist movement in the US over the last 50 years. Narrated by Meryl Streep, it features interviews with some of our favorite feminist leaders and awesome archival footage from the early days of the women’s movement.

Check out the trailer below and tune in to watch it on PBS tonight at 8pm EST. Folks will also be livetweeting with #MAKERSchat.

By Sesali B. • 11 years ago

Yeezy was on to something about the commercial music industry

I know that Kanye West’s intense emotions and antics have made him a bit of a mockery amongst us onlookers of the entertainment industry. I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed tumblrs like this, but I’ve come around. And I have to say, his latest comments at his show in London were a hit with me.

“Remind me again why we in this shit/ Remind me again why we in this/ Since when was making music about getting rich?/ Since when was making art about getting rich/ Remind me again why we in this shit/ Remind me again why the grammies could suck my dick/ Remind me again who’s the original super fly/ And I got love for HOV but I ain’t fucking ...

By Maya Dusenbery • 11 years ago

Quote of the Day: Ashley Judd is just like Todd Akin

In the latest conservative attempt to discredit Ashley Judd before she’s even said she’s running for the Senate, the Daily Caller points to her history of “bizarre” feminist comments:

By getting in the race with this sort of baggage, Judd runs the risk of being portrayed as a Todd Akin-esque candidate – meaning voters simply decide she’s unqualified to serve as a senator, because her comments are so outrageous and extreme that people can’t bring themselves to vote for her.

LOL. Yep, recognizing that sexism exists and believing that is a problem is “outrageous” and “extreme.” Totally the same as taking the fringe position of opposing abortion in cases of rape and making offensive–and scientifically ignorant–comments suggesting that women regularly ...

In the latest conservative attempt to discredit Ashley Judd before she’s even said she’s running for the Senate, the Daily Caller points to her history of “bizarre” feminist comments:

By getting in the race with this ...