International Women’s Health Coalition Kicks Off Young Visionaries Contest and Grant Opportunity
I have had a great deal of ideas to supplement my community’s activism when it comes to resources for women and youth and if my past ideas are any indicator of the future, I’m bound to have a lot more. Have I done much of anything to build upon any of these ideas? Well, not much, considering my income’s constraints, given the fact that I work from home and my partner is a musician and anyone within the arts community or knows anyone who is, knows damn well that people in the arts seldom collect a paycheck worth jumping for joy over. It is my estimation that while we are not at a loss for great ideas that would impact and benefit the people of our collective communities for the better, as a whole, we are at a loss of funds to make our ideas and dreams a concrete reality.
I was recently informed of a really great contest and grant opportunity headed by the International Women’s Health Coalition–Young Visionaries, aiming to help create lasting change in the world. Because they have been so inspired by the activism of young people and their unique visions for the future of sexual rights and reproductive health, they are encouraging youth to share their visions for young people and the future. From now until March 25, 2010 youth between the ages of 18 and 30 can share their visions for a just and healthy life, and get a chance to win a $1000 grant from the International Women’s Health Coalition to fund a project that works toward this vision.
You can nominate yourself by answering four questions about your vision. Five nominees will become finalists by a popular vote, afterwards the International Women’s Health Coalition staff will select five more nominees after nominations close on March 25. To select the winner, guest judges including Marisa Viana-Aitchison, Ishita Chaudry, Mimi Melles, Jessica Valenti and Geoffrey Knox, will select the Grand Prize winner, who will be announced in early April.
If you are a young person between the ages of 18 and 30 with a vision, check out the complete list of contest rules and nominate yourself.
Blog for Choice 2010: Trust Women
Happy anniversary, Roe v. Wade! On this day 37 years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that it was about time to let women make their own decisions about their health and what does or does not happen with and within their own bodies. The anniversary of Roe v. Wade is a day to be celebrared. Women having the right to think for themselves and to make their own informed, logical, emotional and difficult decisions is something to be celebrated.
Today is also the fifth annual Blog for Choice Day, a day in which pro-choice bloggers dedicate a post to answering a question presented by NARAL Pro-Choice America about some facet of their activism, of their passion for keeping abortion accessible, safe, legal and rare.
This year, we continue to mourn the tragic, untimely and unnecessary death of Dr. George Tiller who was murdered in the foyer of his church on May 31, 2009 by an anti-choice extremist in an act that can only be described as domestic terrorism. Dr. Tiller often wore a button that simply read, “Trust Women;” two words that have had a tremendous impact on the people he dedicated 33 years of his life to. Dr. Tiller knew very well the dangers of his profession and became one of the most well-known abortion providers and subsequently, a target of anti-choice extremists. Before he was murdered, a bomb had been placed and exploded on the roof of his Women’s Health Care Services clinic. Outside of his clinic during summer-long protests, approximately 2,000 protesters were arrested outside of the same place women were going to for help. He was shot in both arms by an anti-choice activist while driving away from the clinic and after a six year investigation of his practice, he was acquitted of charges that claimed he had performed 19 illegal late-term abortions. After he was acquitted, several members of anti-choice groups across the country declared that they were dedicated to getting him put in prison and that they would drudge up more false claims in order to do so. Dr. Tiller trusted women and ultimately had his life stolen from him and from his family, friends, colleagues, patients, future patients and the entire pro-choice population for being dedicated to trusting women and to providing a safe and legal procedure.
Dr. LeRoy Carhart, a friend and colleague of Dr. Tiller's and an image in memory of the late abortion provider.
So on this 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, NARAL Pro-Choice America is honoring Dr. George Tiller and his 33 year career and commitment to women and asking, What does “Trust Women” mean to you?
When laws go into effect that require abortion providers to extensively counsel women in person, instead of over the phone (and it is clearly stated that it must take place in person,) force them to see the ultrasounds of their unwanted fetuses or to have these ultrasounds explained to them and then that woman is forced to wait 24 to 48 hours after being counseled to go home and mull it over before she is permitted to actually have the abortion performed, I am offended. I am offended that laws like these exist to treat women like children who can’t make up their minds or who don’t know the severity of their own situation. It is extremely condescending to put in place multiple hurdles in order to obtain a safe and legal abortion due to the fact that the people who authored these laws and the lawmakers who voted for them think women are incapable of making an informed and logical decision for themselves that they believe is right. Laws such as these shame women and bring us right back to childhood when we’ve done something wrong and were sent to our rooms to think about what we’ve done. I probably should not give these lawmakers any more ideas, but I unfortunately would not surprised if in order to obtain an abortion, women would be required to write a 500-word essay on what they learned through making and going through the most difficult decision they will probably ever make in their lives.
It is a cliche feminist slogan of sorts, but there is that saying that is printed on endless t-shirts, buttons, stickers, hoodies, you name it, that says, “Feminism is the radical notion that women are people,” and in regard to what it means to truly trust women, it is completely correct. Women are people. Women, like men, are adults and, like men, are capable. We are capable of educating ourselves or seeking the information we wish to know more about and we are capable of making logical decisions that will affect our lives and our bodies. Pregnant women are often viewed as less rational as women who are not pregnant; as hormonal and who don’t really have any idea about what they are doing or the “consequences of their actions,” which brings woman shaming down to a whole new, disgusting level. I trust all women because I know that we are strong, amazing, miraculous, kick ass beings who deserve to be taken seriously and who refuse to be seen as, talked to or treated as less-than.
If you are also participating in Blog for Choice 2010, link your post here.
Blog for Choice 2010 Open Thread
Today marks the 37th anniversary for the landmark decision that gave women the right to have access to safe and legal abortion, Roe v. Wade. Today is also the fifth annual Blog for Choice Day from NARAL Pro-Choice America.
If you’re not familiar with Blog for Choice Day, it is when each year, NARAL Pro-Choice America asks a question directed to pro-choice bloggers before the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and on January 22nd, bloggers let their voices be heard by answering that question. From the official site:
“Blog for Choice Day provides us with an opportunity to raise the profile of reproductive rights in the blogosphere, all the while celebrating Roe’s 37th anniversary. Plus, it’s a great way to let your readers and the mainstream media know that a woman’s right to choose is a core progressive value that must be protected and advanced.
This year’s topic is What does “Trust Women” mean to you? in honor and in remembrance of Dr. George Tiller. Dr Tiller was an abortion provider who often wore a button that simply read “Trust Women.” He was murdered on May 31, 2009, in the foyer of his church by an anti-choice extremist.
I am still working on my Blog for Choice Day post, but in the meantime, if you have yours up please link it in the comments.
If you would like to participate in Blog for Choice Day, sign up here and don’t forget to come back and link your post!
Bloggers Unite for Haiti
I already took to my Twitter to spread the word about Bloggers Unite for Haiti, but wanted to make sure as many people as possible know that this is going on and how they can continue to spread the word about how they and others can help the relief efforts.
I found out about this blogging event from Nina Amelia, a wonderful commenter and felt very compelled to spread the word.
Bloggers Unite for Haiti will take place on January 19th, where bloggers everywhere unite for one day to spread the word about current conditions in Haiti, how and where to donate money, supplies and volunteer and personal thoughts about the tragic earthquake that has killed countless Haitians. However, because this is not just an effort to spread awareness of a certain topic or social issue, but a day-to-day struggle for the people of Haiti, this is not a one-day blogging event and they are and will continue to compile lists of blog posts from around the blogosphere that have to do with how to provide aid and relief to Haiti.
Also, while it is tremendously important to raise awareness about relief efforts in Haiti and to donate generously to worthwhile, hard-working charities dedicated to providing much-needed aid to the region, it is also so, very important to learn more about Haiti and to educate ourselves about the region, if just to wrap our heads around as to how dire the situation there was even before the earthquake hit and how much worse the region is now.
If you have not already, sign up for Bloggers Unite for Haiti and start spreading the word about relief efforts before, on January 19th, and after.
Helping Haiti
Image Credit: CNN
In the wake of tragedy, the first thing most people ask is how they can help. The devastating and deadly, 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday and has left hundreds of thousands of people dead and many more suffering, fighting for their lives and wondering how they will be able to piece their lives and their communities back together again has encouraged people to band together in order to provide relief efforts to the people of Haiti. There are still people, days after the news broke of this tragedy, who are asking what they can do to help. The easiest thing you can do to help is to donate money to the myriad of relief funds currently collecting donations, but picking a legitimate and worthwhile charity can be mind boggling, especially when you see the list of the different organizations. So after some research, here is a tidier list of the charities you can assist that are doing some great work in and for Haiti.
- Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders have been working in Haiti for 19 years, most recently operating three emergency hospitals in Port-au-Prince. They have been successful in mobilizing a large emergency response to the disaster in Haiti and their immediate response in the first hours following the deadly earthquake was only possible because of the private unrestricted donations from around the world that have been dedicated to making the relief efforts of Doctors Without Borders possible. Doctors Without Borders will use your donations to ensure that their medical teams can react to the Haiti emergency and humanitarian crises all over the world, particularly in neglected crises that remain outside the media spotlight. Your donation to Doctors Without Borders is ensured to be earmarked from their Emergency Relief Fund.
Donate to Doctors Without Borders
- UNICEF
UNICEF believes that children are always the most vulnerable population in any natural disaster and they are committed to being there to provide aid to those children. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is absorbing all associated administrative costs so that 100% of every dollar you donate to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF will support their relief efforts for children in Haiti.
Donate to UNICEF
- Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps always distinguishes themselves as one of the first responders when an earthquake hits. They were on the ground in Peru in 2007, in China in 2008, in Indonesia in 2009 and they landed in Haiti as one of the first on the ground ready to help. As stated on their donation page, the next $250,000 in donations made to Mercy Corps for their Haiti Earthquake Fund will be matched by a generous donor.
Donate to Mercy Corps
- American Red Cross
From your mobile phone, regardless of your carrier or plan, text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross (U.S. State Department) or text YELE to 501501 to donate $5 to Yele Haiti, the foundation started by Wyclef Jean. These donations will be added directly to your cell phone bill and will go immediately to the first responders on the ground in Haiti and will be sorely needed.
- Oxfam
Oxfam has over three decades of experience in Haiti and they have rushed in teams from around the region to respond to their tragic earthquake where their assistance in most needed. Oxfam is providing clean water, shelter and sanitation to the people of Haiti. Your donations to Oxfam will go immediately to the most critical needs in Haiti and is ensured that every penny will be used wisely.
Donate to Oxfam
- Save the Children
Save the Children has worked in Haiti for more than 25 years with staff on the ground in the region providing vulnerable children with health, education, protection and food security programs. They are currently providing life-saving emergency relief in the form of food, water, shelter and child-friendly spaces to children and families in Haiti.
Donate to Save the Children
- MADRE
MADRE has activated an emergency response through their partner organization, Zanmi Lasante Clinic, whose doctors, nurses and community health workers have been working to bring medical assistance and supplies to the areas of Haiti that have been hit the hardest by the earthquake. They are in urgent need of bandages, broad-spectrum antibiotics and other medical supplies, as well as water tablets to prevent cholera outbreaks.
Donate to MADRE / Call for more information on donating medical supplies
For even more charities and ways to donate supplies and volunteer, check out Like a Whisper for an even more comprehensive list and if you know of any additional charities or relief funds, please leave them in the comments to spread the word.
Help Cara Stay Awake for 24 Hours for SAFER
Today is a Blogathon, a day where bloggers from across the wide, wide spectrum of the blogosphere blog every 30 minutes for 24 hours straight (9AM-9AM EST) in order to raise money for an organization or charity of their choice.
Cara over at The Curvature is blogging for SAFER (Students Active for Ending Rape) and because I obviously feel very passionately about ending rape everywhere, I really wanted to single Cara out for the amazing work she will be putting in for the next 24 hours straight in order to raise money for SAFER. They are in dire need of donations and every little bit helps, so if you have $5, $10, $20, $300 or whatever you have, please consider checking out Cara’s blogathon subblog and making a pledge!
Also be sure to check out SAFER’s website and blog if you haven’t already.
Cara will be dedicating 12 hours to discussing sexual violence in all of its forms, so there will definitely be a need for some conversation! She will then wind down her last 12 hours with fun posts on The Beatles. Help her stay awake for the full 24 hours and go post comments and engage in conversations!
I Have Never Burned My Bra, but I’m a Feminist
While blog hopping in the very early morning hours today, I came across Momversation; a space where popular mommy bloggers take on whatever topic happens to be on their minds or prominent in the media and talk about it via video.
While browsing through the videos, I saw pretty much what I expected to see–Michael Jackson and the debacle over who should retain custody over his children, in-laws, having friends who don’t have children while you have children, men, books, movies, and etcetra. Something I found that I was not expecting, however, was a topic started by Mindy of The Mommy Blog asking, ‘Are You a Feminist?‘
And oh yes, I was intrigued. In most cases, whenever people get together to talk you’re supposed to refrain from two topics–religion and politics; feminism definitely had a tendency to run side-by-side with politics. Normally when you get more than a couple people talking about feminism, you hear a whole host of misinformation and of course, the “requirements” needed in order to officially be given your feminist card.
Overall, the conversation in the video is great. I love that feminism’s roots were mentioned and also how important it is to remember the women who fought on the front lines during the women’s liberation movement. But two separate comments made several times throughout the video, and I guess set the tone of what the mass population thinks feminism is, really got to me.
Firstly, and I suppose less important (although it bugs the hell out of me!), in order to earn your feminist card, you are not required to burn a bra. You are, however, required to burn all of your bras, hanging off of a giant crucifix positioned on your front lawn. You must also never shave any part of your body for any reason, and you are immediately kicked out of the club if you ever wear skirts, dresses, heels, pantyhose, stockings, and so forth. Yes folks, that was sarcasm.
Burning bras have become such a cliche when it comes to feminism and while sure, it became a cliche for a reason, we need to check the calendar, do some research on the amazing things being done in the name of and for feminism today. It is high time to realize that feminism is not about burning your bra or going hairy-legged. And most of all, it is not about hating men; it is the complete opposite.
Now onto the bigger issue I have here. Feminism is definitely about equal rights among the genders. However, feminism is definitely not only about equal rights among the genders.
Put your pitchforks away, I’m not done.
Of course, feminism is most definitely about ensuring that women are being paid the same as their male counterparts in the same careers and positions; anything less is unacceptable. The same goes for career privileges, such as health care, any additional rewards or compensation, and also paid maternity leave. When we think about equality of the sexes, we immediately think of equal pay for equal work, but how about the right for a woman to walk down the street to the store, pick up a few groceries, and walk back home without a car beeping or someone yelling catcalls at her?
When we say that we need equality of the genders, that goes right into sexism, how we try and sentence sexual assault cases and violence against women cases and whether or not we even try and sentence sexual assault and violence cases; we also run into race equality, body image, and yes, reproductive rights.
Feminism is merely the umbrella where conversations and activism can congregate on all social issues that affect women and their families–and yes, that includes men.
Prop 8 Decision Day: California Upholds Discrimination
The California Supreme Court upheld the discriminatory Proposition 8 and has yet again told its same sex citizens that they are not worthy of equal protection under the law. While the 18,000 same sex marriages that were performed in the short amount of time that the state recognized gay marriage in 2008 will be upheld, the option of marriage for thousands of other same sex couples in the state will not be able to become a reality–At least not until Prop 8 is overturned.
While Prop 8 has won this battle, we cannot (and will not!) let it win the war. All couples deserve the same fundamental civil rights regardless of sexual orientation. Plans are already being formulated to overturn Prop 8 by bringing the question of same sex marriage back to the ballot in California.
The Courage Campaign is scheduled to hit the California airwaves within the next 72 hours with a 60 second television advertisement of Fidelity–The most-watched video ever in the history of California politics. They are also launching a new television ad in the spirit of Harvey Milk’s call to come out, wherever you are, and proudly tell the stories of the people most affected by the passage of Prop 8.
To find out where the Day of Decision rally is tonight in your town, text “RALLY” and your zip code to 27336 and you will immediately receive a text message with the event closest to your neighborhood.
The Feminist Majority Foundation has also put together a petition and needs supporters of equal rights to take the love and equality pledge that says we refuse to quit until all people are equal under the law.
Edited to Add: I was on my laptop when putting this up and didn’t get to see the video for the new Fidelity television advertisement from the Courage Campaign. Watch it below:
Third Grader Organizes Gay Marriage Rally
This has me smiling. A lot.
As part of an independent class project, Ethan McNamee organized a same sex marriage rally in Colorado. His incredibly powerful speech is below. Now folks, this is what happens when you raise your children to think for themselves and to be a good human. I would also like to mention that Ethan doesn’t sound confused by same sex marriage in the least. Just sayin’…
h/t TakePart
Celebrating Unconventional Families
If you have read this website long enough or happen to talk to me on a personal level, you will know that Mother’s Day is not a very good day for me. In fact, it is one of the most loathed days of the year for me right up there with spending Christmas surrounded by devoted religious people who all believe that they were put on this Earth merely to convert as many people as they can while asking me repeatedly if I’m sure I don’t want to attend mass with them. For about a week leading up to Mother’s Day every year I keep my mind busy with whatever I can while successfully avoiding stores and many websites because of the Mother’s Day shopping craze just merely knowing that the day will arrive and without even thinking, when that day comes I will wake up and live the day in a sort of haze; as if I am having a “dark day.”
This happens for a myriad of reasons. Through the years, while I have built up a tremendous wall that I have honed to impenetrable, this is the one day where I have given myself the permission to feel however the hell I want to feel. No wall. No censoring. No excuses. Last year I wrote a post all about my relationship with my mother. How my mother has never in her life been a mother. I have not seen her in about 11 years and as far as I’m concerned, I will not see her at any point in the future because the difference between now and when I was a child is that now, no one can tell me that my mother really does love me and I’m the one who is crazy. No one can tell me that I am the reason why my mother is unstable because I “act out” too much. No one can tell me that I have been court ordered to see her.
Last Mother’s Day I wrote a post about my mother and the life I had lead when I was in her custody. I also wrote about the release of my first short film, No Trespassing, a vignette I had written a few years earlier that has been picked up by social issues filmmaker Dany Nieves, so today is the one year anniversary of my biggest creative accomplishment thus far.
I called my grandmother and my father to wish them both a happy Mother’s Day today. While my grandmother is a mother, one might raise an eyebrow at the fact that I call my father on Mother’s Day, but when you come from an unconventional family, this is not the least bit odd. While the blogosphere and mainstream media as a whole jumps on the ‘your mother is so important and loves you unconditionally no matter what’ bandwagon, it is normal people from motherless families to feel outcast. That is why it is so important to not think of days like today like a tribute to a mother, specifically, but a tribute and a time to thank the people who raised you and instilled the values in you that you still hold in your life. These people include anyone who was a real and amazing parent to you, whether it be a father (yes, you can call your father on Mother’s Day if he was a single parent and fulfilled both roles), grandparent, aunt, uncle, distant relative, and etcetra.
While in most cases, mothers do fulfill their roles and responsibilities as mothers, it is extremely important to also recognize and celebrate unconventional families.
Get Social
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Out Campaign
The OUT Campaign allows individuals to let others know they are not alone. It can also be a nice way of opening a conversation and help to demolish the negative stereotypes of atheists. Let the world know that we are not about to go away and that we are not going to allow those that would condemn us to push us into the shadows.
