I was one of hundreds of thousands at pro-choice demonstrations in more than 400 cities last week. Here’s a photo gallery from across the country. Republicans keep demanding that all pregnancies be carried to term — then they vote against measures to ease the shortage of baby formula. And the anti-choice forces have explicitly admitted — hell, they’ve bragged — that they’re coming for birth control next.
As always, this diary is a team effort. thanks to mettle fatigue, Angmar, elenacarlena, officebss, and the WOW crew for links and discussion.
Reproductive Rights:
If Republicans regain Congress this fall, they’re eyeing a national “6-week” abortion ban (which really means about 2 weeks after the first missed period).
Oklahoma just passed one of the country’s most restrictive abortion bans.
Tribal land is suddenly at the center of the fight for abortion access. Despite identifying himself as Indigenous, Oklahoma Gov. Stitt vehemently opposes any opportunity for tribes to make their own decisions around providing abortion access.
The story of suffering and death behind Ireland’s abortion ban — and its repeal.
Ben Franklin gave instructions for at-home abortion in a book in the 1700s.
A landmark study tracks the effects of having an abortion — or being denied one.
It’s even happening in San Francisco — anti-abortion activists barged into a women’s clinic, recorded patients, and stalked a doctor.
A smart phone can endanger personal data, including about getting an abortion.
From Hunter on Daily Kos: NIMBY opposition to an abortion clinic is enough to destroy your faith in humanity.
Violence and Harassment:
Putin’s war in Ukraine leaves women and children vulnerable to sex trafficking.
Elon Musk allegedly exposed himself to a flight attendant, then paid her off for a non-disclosure agreement.
Workplace Issues:
A California law, requiring corporate boards to contain women, was ruled unconstitutional. California will appeal.
A medscape article: nurses were surveyed about myths they encounter a lot, but the only question about a specific issue is on physical appearance.
Finally, equal pay for U.S. Women's Soccer team
An issue that comes up in workplace meetings: “he-peating,” when a man repeats what a woman just said and is given credit for it.
Intersectionality:
Louisiana’s Sen. Bill Cassidy (a doctor) says that Louisiana’s maternal mortality rate is only bad if you count Black women. No, seriously, he said this out loud.
Indigenous women fear for their safety in a post-Roe world.
Afghanistan:
The Taliban dissolves "unnecessary" government departments - human rights commission, high council for national reconciliation, national security council, and commission for overseeing implementation of the Afghan constitution. Meanwhile, girls past the 6th grade are still not allowed to go to school, and recent mandates force women and girls to wear veils and require them to be accompanied by male relatives in public.
And the last stronghold against the Taliban is cut off from contact with the outside world, without enough food or medical supplies - women and children are suffering.
Health and Sexuality:
An article on National Women’s Health Week contained this curious sentence (just interesting to note that the “lady parts” are separated out from “overall wellness”):
Dr. Zanotti said routine checkups for women typically include an overall wellness exam, in addition to a breast exam and pelvic exam.
The FDA has authorized ultra-thin panties for oral sex that the manufacturer said blocks the transfer of bodily fluids during oral sex to reduce sexually transmitted infections/disease.
California researchers are seeking women willing to use sex toys for science.