Feminist Father

vicmorrowsghost: During his “We Saw Your Boobs” song Seth...

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:54:08 -0500

During his “We Saw Your Boobs” song Seth MacFarlane listed off women who’s breasts he’d seen in their movies. As if this isn’t grotesque enough four of the instances he listed were scenes of rape or the character was raped during the movie.

Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry.

Jodie Foster in The Accused.

Jessica Chastain in Lawless.

Charlize Theron in Monster.

keepyourbsoutofmyuterus: From Akin’s new website that features...

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:45:19 -0400

keepyourbsoutofmyuterus:

From Akin’s new website that features a giant fetus picture.

h/t @daveweigel on the “your.”

And as somuchdependsupon wrote, “‘ill-conceived.’ Is that a pun?”

[UPDATE: looks like the giant fetus picture is gone. Has Akin lost the fetus vote ALREADY?]

House GOP Blocking Abortion Access for Raped Soldiers | Mother Jones

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:20:03 -0400

House GOP Blocking Abortion Access for Raped Soldiers | Mother Jones:

stfusexists:

justinspoliticalcorner:

Republican Senators John McCain, Scott Brown, and Susan Collins all support an effort by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, to expand abortion access for military women who are raped. But despite bipartisan support in the Senate, Shaheen’s proposal may not make it into the final version of the 2013 defense authorization bill—because House Republicans oppose it.

If Shaheen’s measure passes, military families will finally have the same access to abortion that other federal employees already receive. Unlike the rest of the federal government, the Department of Defense currently only provides abortion coverage if the life of the mother is at stake. Under current law, if a State Department employee is raped, her government health insurance plan will pay for an abortion if she wants one. But if an Army medic serving in Afghanistan is raped and becomes pregnant, she can’t use her military health plan to pay for an abortion. If she does decide to get an abortion, she will have to pay for it with her own money. And if she can’t prove she was raped—which is difficult before an investigation is completed—she may have to look for services off base, which can be dangerous or impossible in many parts of the world.

“We have more than 200,000 women serving on active duty in our military,” Shaheen tells Mother Jones. “They should have the same rights to affordable reproductive health services as all of the civilians who they protect.”

That appears likely. A GOP staffer “familiar with defense issues” told Army Times last week that the Shaheen amendment “stands little chance of surviving” when the House and Senate meet to work out their differences on the defense bill. “Historically, social provisions that are not reflected in both bills heading into conference don’t survive,” the staffer said—conceding that the House version of the defense bill will not include anything like Shaheen’s proposal.

Shaheen says the story of a young woman stationed in Korea who was raped by a fellow soldier demonstrates why this law needs to be changed. The woman’s military health insurance wouldn’t cover an abortion, and she could not find a safe place to have one off base. In the end, she lost her job, and later had a miscarriage. “This is somebody who wanted to make the military her career, and she was ultimately forced out because of a situation that was not of her making,” Shaheen says. ”Most of the women affected here are enlisted women who are making about $18,000 a year. They’re young, they don’t have access to a lot of resources. Many of them are overseas.”

Current Pentagon policy is more restrictive than the 1976 Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds from being used to provide abortion services except in the case of rape, incest, or if the woman’s life is endangered. The DOD enacted its stricter, life-of-the-mother-only limit on abortions in 1979. In 1988, the law was tightened again—Congress now forbids women from using their own money to pay for abortions in military health centers unless they are a victim of rape or incest, or if their life is at risk.

The military reported 471 rapes of servicemembers in 2011 alone. The true number is likely far higher—the Pentagon’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office estimates that only about 13.5 percent of all rapes and sexual assaults in the military are actually reported. The Women’s Health and Rights Program at the Center for American Progress estimates that several hundred women in the military become pregnant as a result of rape each year.

But despite numerous reform efforts over the past several decades, including failed proposals in 2010 and 2011,the Pentagon’s strict anti-abortion policies endure today.

H/T: Kate Sheppard at Mother Jones

Support the troops!!!

(Minus the raped, pregnant ones, obviously.)

Will Low-Income Women in Texas Find Care Without Planned Parenthood? An Analysis of the System Says the Answer is No

Thu, 24 May 2012 20:03:24 -0400

Will Low-Income Women in Texas Find Care Without Planned Parenthood? An Analysis of the System Says the Answer is No:

keepyourboehneroutofmyuterus:

I’d like to describe Andrea Grimes and this post by using one of her favorite words: BALLER.

RH Reality Check set out to test the WHP’s non-Planned Parenthood provider listings over the past week and found that while initial searches of TexasWomensHealth.org turn up what appear to be hundreds of available providers, many of them don’t provide any kind of contraceptive care, don’t take Medicaid Women’s Health Program clients, or are simply misleading duplicate listings.

In Austin, for example, many WHP clients visit the Downtown Austin Clinic for contraceptives and cancer screenings. What if a resident of the 78702 zip code who formerly relied on Planned Parenthood had to suddenly find a new doctor?

We searched for providers within 30 miles of 78702, which turned up 137 doctors and clinics — initially, a very promising number. But once we weeded out the duplicates, we were left with just 49 individual providers, including those like the Austin Endoscopy Center. When we called to try to make a gynecological appointment there, we were understandably turned down: “This is a colon cancer center,” the operator told us. No women’s health care there.

Several times, locations listed on the Texas WHP website weren’t taking new Medicaid clients, were only taking those within a limited age range, or simply did not accept Medicaid Women’s Health Program patients. The People’s Community Clinic, which serves low-income and uninsured clients, told us they were only taking adolescents or pregnant women—and pregnant women are, by definition, excluded from the WHP.

The Austin Regional Clinic, which has several locations in Austin, looked promising until we were told, repeatedly, that they don’t accept Medicaid WHP clients—neither does the similarly situated Austin Diagnostic Clinic.

Ultimately, we were able to find nine providers within a 30-mile radius of our selected zip code that accepted the WHP and were taking new patients—some could see a patient for an annual exam as soon as the following day. Provided, of course, that clients are able to travel. The Lone Star Circle Of Care, which also focuses on under-served populations, had appointments in neighboring cities.

But for a WHP enrollee who may not have a car or who can’t afford to take a day or a half-day off from work, it may be a matter of having to make the difficult decision of choosing between several hours’ worth of pay—which could mean making rent or buying baby formula—or getting her annual exam.

And if Planned Parenthood is excluded from the WHP in Texas, there’s a good chance that WHP patients wouldn’t have the good luck we had in finding nine available providers if, as a George Washington University study predicts, existing providers simply will not be able to fill in the gaps left by Planned Parenthood.

[NB: More people than just cis women are affected by these draconian changes to the WHP.]

Suspicious Fire Breaks Out At Second Reproductive Clinic In Georgia

Thu, 24 May 2012 20:02:36 -0400

Suspicious Fire Breaks Out At Second Reproductive Clinic In Georgia:

keepyourboehneroutofmyuterus:

This is part of a decades-long pattern of domestic terrorism against abortion care and providers. Looking forward to the MSM ignoring this case like ALL THE OTHERS.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused a fire at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic — the second suspicious fire at a Georgia reproductive clinic this week. No one was injured in the Wednesday morning fire that started on the third floor of the Cobb County clinic, which anti-abortion advocates regularly protest, according to local news reports. […]

On Sunday, a fire was reported at another clinic in Gwinnett County. In addition to the recent fires, women’s health clinics reported break-ins and stolen computer equipment in March after the Georgia legislature approved a restrictive bill preventing abortions after 20 weeks. Clinic workers said the thefts were attempts to intimidate doctors who perform abortions and fought against the bill. “They’re treating us like terrorists,” Richard Zane, whose Atlanta Women’s Health Center was burglarized, told a local Patch site.

Gov. Nathan Deal signed the 20-week ban, which has no exemption for cases of rape or incest, into law earlier this month.

"Gallup’s longest-running measure of abortion views, established in 1975, asks Americans if abortion..."

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:34:07 -0400

““Gallup’s longest-running measure of abortion views, established in 1975, asks Americans if abortion should be legal in all circumstances, legal only under certain circumstances, or illegal in all circumstances” and that question finds only 20% of respondents who want to fully criminalize abortion.

25% of respondents say abortion should be legal in all circumstances, and 52% say abortion should be legal in some circumstances, meaning 77% of USians still favor keeping abortion legal in some form.

That is overwhelming support for legal abortion, which a headline like “only 41% are pro-choice!” doesn’t indicate at all.

Conservative strategists are extremely good at demonizing language, and they’ve successfully turned “pro-choice” toxic in much the same way they did “liberal.” But they haven’t successfully made support for legal abortion unpopular.”

- Melissa McEwan at Shakesville

stfusexists: cherrispryteaintsobrite: standupfordownthere: Rep...

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:28:12 -0400

stfusexists:

cherrispryteaintsobrite:

standupfordownthere:

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton of D.C. received 89 percent of the vote in her last election, yet anti-choice lawmakers refused to allow her to testify on a bill that specifically targets women in D.C.

This is another Sandra Fluke moment.

Oh, look, DC women being used as a political pawn by fucking assholes WHO DON’T LIVE HERE.

I PAY MY FUCKING TAXES, I WANT MY FUCKING REPRESENTATION.

Stay classy, Republicans. Stay classy.

The Femisphere: Reproductive Rights Bloggers

Sat, 12 May 2012 10:51:00 -0400

The Femisphere: Reproductive Rights Bloggers:

keepyourboehneroutofmyuterus:

KYBOOMU has been profiled on Ms. Magazine’s blog and I’m thrilled. I’d love for you all to read it. But what I truly dig about the post is the list of other repro rights blog that Avital (the author) included:

Team Uterati, founded in 2012 by Imani Gandy (Angry Black Lady), aims to provide comprehensive up-to-date information about anti-choice, anti-women’s health and anti-reproductive rights legislative measures in various states. Gandy started Team Uterati as a “community-based organizing tool for feminists fighting for equal rights and reproductive justice.” The project, which is the first of its kind on the Internet, also contains a continually growing Wiki with resources, articles, databases and a forum.

Abortion Gang: Abortion Gang’s website says it best: “We are unapologetic activists for reproductive justice.” The site discusses reproductive health and justice, and reminds us again and again that the personal truly is political.

Bebinn: A collection of pro-choice information, rants and unrelated gifs, “for all your pro-choice needs!”

Care2: An array of comprehensive coverage under the heading “Dispatches from the War on Women.”

Huffington Post – Laura Bassett: HuffPo’s politics writer tackles both state and national reproductive rights news in a concise, easy-to-understand fashion.

Prolonged Eye Contact: With articles and commentary on abortion and reproductive rights, this site, according to Jessica Luther, “is REALLY phenomenal at being inclusive in how they talk about repro rights.”

Rabble: “Radically pro-choice” site that offers the tagline, “It’s pro-choice or NO choice.”

Radical Doula: Almost defying categorization, Radical Doula is site run by activist Miriam Zoila Pérez, and connects the dots between reproductive rights, birth activism, doula work, LGBT issues, immigrant rights and racial justice.

Reproductive Rights Prof Blog: This website keeps tabs on reproductive rights issues from legal and academic perspectives.

RH Reality Check: The one-stop shop for breaking news and opinion on sexual and reproductive health and rights, with updates throughout the day.

Shakesville: At Melissa McEwan’s one-stop shop for progressive and feminist news, bloggers Misty Clifton and Shark Fu have done a great job of keeping the Shakesville community informed and aware of various reproductive rights news.

deedennis: The amazing @Momentumcon Closing Session: Sex in...

Thu, 10 May 2012 20:03:14 -0400

deedennis:

The amazing @Momentumcon Closing Session: Sex in America. I can’t say enough about Dr. Joycelyn Elders and Esther Perel. Their speeches were so inspiring.

feministryangosling: ETA: If you find yourself questioning MCAs...

Sat, 05 May 2012 10:18:17 -0400

feministryangosling:

ETA: If you find yourself questioning MCAs feminist or philanthropic credentials, you may want to click here, here, here or here.

A few thoughts on Hilary Rosen, moms and work

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:47:33 -0400

A few thoughts on Hilary Rosen, moms and work:

azspot:

-None of the men who think parenthood is THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB IN THE WORLD seem willing to do it full-time themselves, even when, like Mitt Romney, they surely have the family money to enable them to be financially comfortable and still stay home full time;

-None of the men who think parenthood is THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB IN THE WORLD have ever suggested that if we value it so much, we should pay for it;

-None of the Republicans who think parenthood is THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB IN THE WORLD support legislation like federally-mandated maternity (and in an alternate universe, paternity) leave that would enable more parents to stay home for longer (or even reasonable) periods of time with newly-born children;

-Very few of the Republicans who think parenthood is THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB IN THE WORLD support legislation like national healthcare, which would help families who aren’t as rich as the Romneys to stay healthy, and which would enable more parents to stay home with their kids since health insurance would be one expense off the table;

(via slacktivist)

audaciaray: Advocates for Sex Workers, Elected Officials, and...

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:59:57 -0400

audaciaray:

Advocates for Sex Workers, Elected Officials, and Public Health Experts to Call for Law Barring Use of Condoms as Evidence of Prostitution

Report to Reveal Public Health Crisis Caused by NYPD’s Confiscation of Condoms

On Tuesday, April 17 people with experience in the sex trade, elected officials, public health experts, and human rights advocates will hold a press conference calling on the New York State Assembly to pass legislation barring the use of condoms as evidence of prostitution. Supporters of Bill S323/A1008, known as the No Condoms as Evidence Bill, say that allowing condoms to be confiscated by police and used as evidence in criminal cases discourages sex workers and other vulnerable New Yorkers from carrying condoms, undermining efforts to combat sexually transmitted diseases and educate the public about safer sex.

At Tuesday’s press conference, The Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center and the PROS Network (Providers and Resources Offering Services to Sex Workers) will release a report, entitled “Public Health Crisis: The Impact of Using Condoms as Evidence of Prostitution in New York City.” The report reveals findings from two separate surveys of NYC sex workers, including a survey conducted in 2010 by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) that is only now being released.

WHAT: Elected Officials, Public Health Experts, and Human Rights Advocates Hold Press Conference Calling for Legislation Banning the Use of Condoms as Evidence of Prostitution, Release Report on Public Health Crisis in NYC

WHO: Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Audacia Ray of Red Umbrella Project, Sienna Baskin of The Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center, Chris Bilal from Streetwise and Safe (all members of the PROS Network), and Kathryn Todrys of Human Rights Watch.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 17that 1:00pm

WHERE: Room 130, Legislative Office Building

"The stipulation likely to be most widely felt is what experts are calling an effective shutdown of..."

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:17:58 -0400

“The stipulation likely to be most widely felt is what experts are calling an effective shutdown of medication abortions. These nonsurgical abortions are usually performed within the first nine weeks of pregnancy, and account for between 17 and 20 percent of all abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive-rights advocacy group. While women often take the pills at clinics and in their homes, the bill now mandates that a medical provider must have hospital privileges within 30 miles of where the procedure takes place. Many times clinics or homes are not within 30 miles of hospitals, and the distance prevents providers from other cities or even states from caring for women, says Elizabeth Nash of the Guttmacher Institute. Another factor that could contribute to what Nash called a “shutdown” of medication abortions is that the law requires abortion pills to be administered using outdated protocols, confusing providers and obscuring proper use of the drugs.”

- Allison Yarrow at The Daily Beast on Arizona’s new super restrictive law.

The fucked up irony here is that in signing this law, Gov Brewer said: “This legislation is consistent with my strong track record of supporting common sense measures to protect the health of women and safeguard our most vulnerable population–the unborn.” Of course, that sentence is nonsense. And the truly vulnerable population are people in rural Arizona whose primary access to abortion care is now being cut off.

[NB: More people than just cis women need and want access to abortion care.]
(via keepyourboehneroutofmyuterus)

Listen to me talk about The Purity Myth

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:37:01 -0400

Listen to me talk about The Purity Myth:

jessicavalenti:

With Sam Seder at The Majority Report…

Diva's Ramblings: CatalystCon Call for Speakers

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:32:59 -0400

Diva's Ramblings: CatalystCon Call for Speakers:

deedennis:

Call for Speakers submission deadline is June 1, 2012

Who can speak at CatalystCon?

We urge anyone who has something to share that will spark conversations in sexuality to submit a proposal. Whether you are an individual, therapist, sexuality educator, media specialist, blogger or activist,…

Eat pussy live happy: CAKE AND CUNNILINGUS DAY!!!!

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:09:34 -0400

Eat pussy live happy: CAKE AND CUNNILINGUS DAY!!!!:

chainsawchelseaskates:

eatpussylivehappy:

April 14 is Cake and Cunnilingus Day!

Why? Well, as some enterprising men have declared March 14 to be “Steak and Blowjob Day”, we women thought we’d get in on the act as well, a month later.

Cake and Cunnilingus Day is about celebrating female pleasure. It’s about putting our orgasms on the…

now that’s a holiday I could get behind

Jessica Valenti: I want to like the new "I can be...President" Barbie. But I don't.

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:28:55 -0400

Jessica Valenti: I want to like the new "I can be...President" Barbie. But I don't.:

jessicavalenti:

When I was a kid, I had an Astronaut Barbie. (I ended up cutting all of her hair off and giving her a black eye using nail polish - but that’s a story for another time.) I thought it was pretty cool that she had this space suit and all, but remember wondering how she was going to walk on the…

Abortion war hits Britain

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:03:43 -0400

Abortion war hits Britain:

keepyourboehneroutofmyuterus:

[NB: more than just cis women’s health would be affected if these anti-choice bullies got their way]

Anti-abortion protests might seem as American as apple pie, but don’t be fooled. Activists from Texas have just laid siege to Britain, the country the Daily Mail has called the “the abortion capital of Europe.” And their American-style demonstrations outside the headquarters of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service recently led the group to warn that the new anti-abortion climate could spook future doctors from entering women’s health.

My immediate thought: WOW, anti-choicers are so confident about how well anti-choice shit is going in Texas, they’ve taken their message all the way to England. SHIT.

mencanstoprape: Created by the New School.

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:09:34 -0400

mencanstoprape:

Created by the New School.

Audacia Ray: Why the Sex Positive Movement is Bad for Sex Workers’ Rights

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:25:55 -0400

Audacia Ray: Why the Sex Positive Movement is Bad for Sex Workers’ Rights:

audaciaray:

This essay originally appeared in the 2012 Momentum conference anthology ebook. I know this is a bit long for Tumblr, but this is the full text of the article, and I wanted to make it available online for people who aren’t at the conference for my presentation of the same title and/or want to…