2013 June Archive | Feministing

“The louder they scream, the more we know that we are getting something done”

That’s what Texas Governor Rick Perry said today, of the reproductive rights advocates who prevented Texas’ omnibus anti-choice bill from passing this week.

And here is what I have to say to that super rapey, undemocratic, and entirely tone deaf view of the situation:

Also, this:

And, in conclusion,

That’s what Texas Governor Rick Perry said today, of the reproductive rights advocates who prevented Texas’ omnibus anti-choice bill from passing this week.

And here is what I have to say to that super rapey, undemocratic, and ...

By Verónica Bayetti Flores • 10 years ago

Rick Perry declares second special session to pass “pro-life” bill on same day as 500th execution

One would think that the irony of such an action would be too much. But nope! Yesterday, the state of Texas executed Kimberly McCarthy, the state’s 500th execution since the death penalty was re-enacted in 1982:

Her death marks a grim milestone in a state that kills more people than any other in the country. Texas has carried out more than 40 percent of the roughly 1,300 executions that have taken place in the United States since the Supreme Court re-instated capital punishment in 1976. A 2011 study found that 92 percent of men sentenced to die in Texas were black.

On the same day, Governor Perry called a second special session of the Texas state legislature to enact the “pro-life” omnibus ...

Her death ...

By Tobias Rodriguez • 10 years ago

Senator Claire McCaskill stands up for survivors

After Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill put a hold on to Lieutenant General Susan Helms’ nomination to be vice commander of the Air Force Space Command because of her involvement in an unfair military sexual assault case, McCaskill was accused of participating in the so-called “war on men.” She had a lot to say in response to that, including:

My colleagues and I are fighting not to criminalize men, but to bring the cowards who commit sexual assault to justice. And our fight won’t stop until we give the brave men and women of our military the resources and justice they deserve.

Read more of her unapologetic, spot-on response at the Daily Beast.

By Verónica Bayetti Flores • 10 years ago

Wendy Davis was a teen mother and is changing the world

Remember those awful ads from the Candies Foundation that implied that young mothers can’t change the world? Well, of course we knew they were ridiculous, but this was just too good not to share – Wendy Davis, the Lebron James of filibustering, was a teen mom:

She began working after school at age 14 to help support her single mother and three siblings, according to her campaign website. “By 19, Wendy was a single mother herself, working two jobs to make ends meet in hopes of creating a better life for her young daughter.”

She pursued community college, then transferred to Texas Christian University. With the help of scholarships and loans, she graduated first in her class. She ...

By Maya Dusenbery • 10 years ago

Daily Feminist Cheat Sheet

Happy photos of celebrations outside the Supreme Court today.

5 reasons Senator Wendy Davis is even more badass than you think. Send her a message of thanks.

One dark girl’s take on the new documentary Dark Girls.

The Prop 8 plaintiffs get a call from President Obama.

On feminists and femivores.

The DOMA ruling will clear the path for binational same-sex couples.

Jelani Cobb unpacks the meaning of SCOTUS decisions on the Voting Rights Act and affirmative action.

Truth Bader Ginsburg gets a tumblr.

Happy photos of celebrations outside the Supreme Court today.

5 reasons Senator Wendy Davis is even more badass than you think. Send her a message of thanks.

One dark girl’s take on the ...

By Maya Dusenbery • 10 years ago

Quote of the Day: Pelosi vs. Bachmann

No contest, obviously.

When asked by reporter at a Capitol Hill press conference to comment on Michele Bachmann’s statement that the DOMA ruling “cannot undo what a holy God has instituted,” national treasure Nancy Pelosi responded:

Via Buzzfeed

No contest, obviously.

By Maya Dusenbery • 10 years ago

12 images that will make you wish you’d been protesting at the Texas filibuster last night

If you weren’t on the ground or obsessively watching the live stream–as seemingly everyone on Twitter was–here are some images to give you a taste of what went down in Texas last night. So much love and respect for the activists and leaders who made it happen–and brought us the most exciting reality finale to ever be ignored by the networks.

State Senator Leticia Van de Putt lays it down.

(That cheering? Went on for more than ten minutes while Republicans tried unsuccessfully to vote before the midnight deadline. Seriously, watch it.)

“Every corner of all 4 floors here jammed with people.” @JeffSmithNBC5

“This is what a feminist looks like.” Via @shesists

By Syreeta McFadden • 10 years ago

Quick Hit: What the language in abortion laws really means

Buzzfeed has a pretty great breakdown of the language and nuance behind the restrictive policy and rules that govern your ability to seek a safe and legal abortion in the United States.

Natasha Vargas Cooper explains what things like “Mandatory Counseling” and “Cooling Off Period” sound like to a woman seeking to terminate her pregnancy and illustrates the reality that unnecessary medical procedures–like transvaginal ultrasounds–are meant to shame patients. Vargas Cooper writes that in response to the question, “Why are you terminating this pregnancy?” she feared giving the wrong answer to the counselor at the mandatory counseling session. She notes:

I wanted to say, “Because I want to.” But I was afraid I would be denied the procedure. I lied ...

Buzzfeed has a pretty great breakdown of the language and nuance behind the restrictive policy and rules that govern your ability to seek a safe and legal abortion in the United States.

Natasha Vargas Cooper explains ...