Weekly Feminist Reader

Our hearts go out to all those affected by the attacks in Mumbai. Bastard.logic has a list of resources.
Cecelia at Ojibway Migisi Bineshii gives her view of Thanksgiving, and Renee asks, “what are we really giving thanks for?”
Nezua on men who don the traditional costume of Zapotec women in southern Mexico, and constructions of Mexican masculinity.
The situation in Gaza has gotten really bad.
Shark-Fu on Nebraska’s safe haven law, which allows parents to drop off children of any age, not just infants.
Horrible news: Jdimytai Damour, a Long Island Wal-Mart employee, was trampled to death on Friday. As Matt says, “Talk about a great reason to celebrate Buy Nothing Day.”
Is the New York State senate backing away from its pledge to enact same-sex marriage rights?
Edith Kent, the first woman to receive equal pay in Britain, turned 100.
On anti-domestic violence programs that meet victims where they’re comfortable.
Obama will reportedly wait until 2010 to remedy the fact that gay Americans cannot serve openly in the military. Dana Goldstein has more.
Toni Morrison talks to the Times about her new book.
Roy on a new twist on shaming women’s bodies. More at Sociological Images.
Conservatives are freaking out because Planned Parenthood in Indiana is offering gift certificates. Granted, a pap smear is not the most exciting Christmas gift I can think of, but it sure is practical. Oh, wait — you mean they’re claiming these are going to be used for abortions? As if that’s all Planned Parenthood does? I’m shocked.

On the potential Catholic reaction to Obama’s pro-choice policies.
A Korean court basically gave a pass to three men who raped a disabled family member, a 16-year-old girl.
Last week marked the two-year anniversary of Sean Bell’s murder.
A Chicago Bears football player, Brian Urlacher, has been in court with his ex-wife over her concerns that he lets their son wear pink and paint his nails. Ulracher said, “It doesn’t make him feminine. It doesn’t make him gay.” Also, read Jill on how “we’d all be better off if our understanding of maleness and femaleness weren’t so straightjacketed.” And check out this photo project on kids who are only into gender-specific toys and games.
Jack and Jill Politics on recent Obama appointees Melody Barnes and Desiree Rogers.
Ah, another super-classy sexist product.
Our beloved Rachel Maddow goes soft on Mike Huckabee and doesn’t bring up his bigoted views on gay people.
The human rights situation in Burma is worsening, especially for women.
The board game Risk gets a gendered makeover.
I’m just going to quote the lead from this article: “A man who says he eats 10 Mars bars a day has claimed a lack of sugar prompted him to attack his girlfriend when she wore big, Bridget Jones-style knickers instead of a G-string, a British court has heard.” WHAT?!
On the right-wing obsession with the “myth” of heterosexual AIDS.
What have you all been reading/writing this week?
Events
Milwaukee, WI: TODAY head over to a fundraiser at Broad Vocabulary, an awesome feminist bookstore which is in danger of closing. (You can also mail in donations if you miss today’s festivities.)
New York, NY: Belladonna hosts a series of readings and events guest-hosted by women writers who’ve invited writers who influence and inspire them, through June 2009.
Washington, DC: Attend the DC Abortion Fund’s Winter Holiday Party, December 9.
Chicago, IL: Oakton Community College Women’s & Gender Studies Conference, “Chicago Feminisms: Past, Present & Future” March 2009
Actions
Ask that the HPV vaccine be removed from the list of mandatory vaccinations for immigrants. (Also see Miriam’s post on the subject.)
Sign the petition to end false and deceptive advertising practices and federal funding for fake clinics.
Today is the last day to submit to the latest Down Under Feminists Carnival.
Apply for the 2009 Progressive Women’s Voices program, an intensive media training for women!
The queer POC traveling performing arts group Mangos with Chili seeks donations to help out one of its members.