My latest read was Laurie Penny’s Sexual Revolution: Modern Fascism and the Feminist Fightback. She has some interesting thoughts on the concept of consent. For years, we’ve been expected to accept that anything a woman can be coerced, badgered or bullied into is deemed “consensual.” Penny makes the connection with work, where employees may have to “consent” to unsafe conditions, forced arbitration, and exploitation. In both cases, the point is that consent can’t be freely given when power is unequal. She’s somewhat more optimistic than I am about the current state of the fight for equality.
As always, this diary is a team effort. Thanks to SandraLLAP, officebss, mettle fatigue, elenacarlena, and the WOW crew for links and discussion.
Reproductive Rights:
Abortion funds, explained.
Oklahoma passed a 6-week abortion ban.
Catholics for Choice on how religious faith can lead to supporting reproductive rights.
Planned Parenthood has stopped providing abortions in Georgia and Alabama.
As abortion access wanes, this doctor travels to fill a void.
Ohio’s Mean Jean Schmidt calls it an “opportunity” if rape leads to pregnancy:
Violence and Harassment:
The "Don't Say Gay" law forced cancellation of a sexual assault awareness program in Oklahoma.
Melissa Lucio’s execution has been stayed for now. She was convicted of her daughter Mariah’s death, despite credible reason to believe the child’s death was accidental.
Women lawyers fight stochastic terrorism or “reckless association.”
Women in Yemen trapped by war and abuse.
Intersectionality:
A scholar of African American culture ponders Will Smith, the slap, and racial and gendered dimensions of what it means to protect a loved one.
Some US universities have added caste to their nondiscrimination policies. Some Hindu faculty members fear that this move will stigmatize Hindus and Indians.
Native women work to break the cycle of poverty and prison in Minnesota.
Health:
In India, cervical cancer screening via menstrual pad blood appears to be a promising approach.
While ovarian cancer is often called a silent killer, it does have recognizable symptoms — which are too often misdiagnosed or ignored.
Staring at yourself on Zoom can have mental health consequences — particularly for women, whose appearances are constantly scrutinized.
The long-heard advice for women to take calcium supplements is now being questioned.
Arts:
In Oman, feminist artist Eman Ali addresses sexuality and “reverse Orientalism” in her work.
"My Louisiana Love" a public television film by Monique Verdin and Sharon Linezo Hong.
When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, about a million gallons of oil from a nearby refinery spilled into St. Bernard Parish, where Verdin lives. Her family home was engulfed in 11 feet of water. Verdin, 42, a citizen of the United Houma Nation and member of grassroots collaborative Another Gulf Is Possible, said she realizes now how much of her early adult life — even the direction of her work — was shaped by that experience [and the repetitions of it virtually annually ever since].....
Weird European Politics:
Wanted, woman with green credentials for the worst job in France.
British MP Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, was described in a story in the 'Mail on Sunday' as crossing and uncrossing her legs during the prime minister’s questions to distract PM Boris Johnson. The story explicitly compared the fully-clothed Rayner with the infamous flashing scene in the movie “Basic instinct.” Or as Rayner put it, “I stand accused of a ‘ploy’ to ‘distract’ the helpless PM – by being a woman, having legs and wearing clothes.” Surprisingly, even Johnson decried the misogyny of the attack.
Uncategorizable:
This weekend’s “Christian Men’s Conference” is...something.