Happy Friday!
Very late, I know. One, a lot of news this morning. Two, I locked myself out in a downpour this morning - barefoot, no umbrella, no keys, no phone, ridiculous - and it threw me all off. So.
It still kills me that this is a thing, though of course I read it: How to Cope With Government-Induced Stress. One can always suggestions beyond the obvious, sugar and booze.
Oh my God, so hateful. Arizona lawmakers tie funding for state's 211 crisis hotline to creation of anti-abortion program
Today is…
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (#NBHAAD). This year’s theme is “We’re in This, Together.”
Wear Red Day, the American Heart Association’s awareness day for women and heart health. (#GoRedforWomen)
National Fettuccine Alfredo Day. My go-to recipe is Joy of Cooking’s.
LGBTQ
Conservatives find unlikely ally in fighting transgender rights: radical feminists
Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post
The Women’s Liberation Front is part of a long-running strain of feminism that rejects the existence of transgender identity. These fringe activists argue that advancements in transgender rights will come at the expense of women’s rights and threaten the safety and sanctity of women’s only spaces. And they’ve found an increasingly influential platform by teaming up with conservatives.
National firestorm on horizon as states consider criminalizing transgender treatments for youths
Kristin Lam, USA Today
A polarizing debate is happening around the nation as lawmakers in eight states have introduced bills in recent weeks seeking to restrict transition-related treatment for transgender youth. Proponents say the measures protect minors from medical changes they may regret as adults, while opponents say the bills prevent doctors from following health care guidelines approved by organizations such as the American Medical Association.
What You Need To Know About The Bills Threatening Transgender Youth
Amber Leventry, Scary Mommy
Some parents don’t see the need to mix politics and parenting, but you can’t be a responsible parent without being an informed citizen. Policies put into place by voter-appointed leaders directly impact our families and our children. And the parents of transgender youth will not back down to the recent threats by politicians.
Virginia Lawmakers Pass Protections for LGBTQ People
Sarah Rankin, U.S. News & World Report
Virginia lawmakers passed comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation Thursday that advocates said makes the state the first in the South to enact such protections for LGBTQ people. The measures advanced on bipartisan votes, 59-35 in the House and 30-9 in the Senate as newly empowered Democrats continued to advance bills that Republicans blocked for years.
Kansas Lawmaker Pursues Bill on Transgender Youth in Sports
John Hanna, U.S. News & World Report
A conservative legislator in Kansas is pursuing a proposal to prevent transgender high school and middle school students from playing on sports teams aligned with their gender identities, and LGBTQ rights advocates are trying to kill it even before he can formally introduce it.
Billy Porter to Haters Mad at Sesame Street: 'Stay Out of My Bedroom'
Tracy E. Gilchrist, The Advocate
Religious conservatives spun out when they learned that gay Pose star Billy Porter would appear on the long-running children’s show Sesame Street. Now, Porter has clapped back at the homophobes who launched a petition against Sesame Street threatening to boycott if the episode airs.
The Controversy Around Jameela Jamil's Ballroom Show Speaks to a Larger Issue in the LGBTQ Community
Justin Kirkland, Esquire
The past 48 hours have been complex for The Good Place star, Jameela Jamil and anyone who has been paying attention to the controversy surrounding HBO Max's upcoming series, Legendary—a competition show focused on voguing and ballroom culture. On Tuesday, HBO announced that Jamil would be the emcee and judge on the new show. There was immediate backlash on Twitter from members of the LGBTQ community who believed Jamil to be straight and not a proper representative for ballroom culture.
Abortion
A Missouri Bill Could Make Cops Go After Women Who Have Abortions
Carter Sherman, VICE
A Missouri Republican wants to totally abolish abortion in the state, legally redefine fetuses as people, and likely even have police go after women to “affirmatively enforce” the law.
Arizona lawmakers tie funding for state's 211 crisis hotline to creation of anti-abortion program
Maria Polletta, Arizona Republic
The 211 crisis hotline that connects Arizonans with emergency housing, health care and other services may soon offer live operators round-the-clock. But that will only happen if 211 halts referrals to entities that provide, pay for or provide coverage for abortions, even if the person seeking information isn't looking to end a pregnancy.
Birth Control
Women Shouldn’t Get A Bill For An IUD … But Sometimes They Do
Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News
After a few months on daily contraceptive pills, Erica M. wanted something more reliable. She wanted an intrauterine device, a form of long-acting reversible contraception that doctors call one of the most effective forms of birth control. It shouldn’t have been a problem. Erica, 23 at the time, had insurance through work. Under the Affordable Care Act, most health plans must cover all methods of birth control without any cost sharing.
To the Woman Who Shamed Me For Buying the Morning-After Pill
Amanda McCoy, POPSUGAR
I jumped out of bed the second my alarm went off that morning. It was 6 a.m., and although we had intended to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely morning, my then-fiancé (now husband) and I raced to get dressed and out the door. We were spending the weekend in an adorable cabin in a remote Colorado town. Though the fresh mountain air was doing wonders for my soul, we were over an hour from the nearest pharmacy, and I needed to get to one — fast.
Reproductive Health & Justice
Lamont’s Budget Fills Planned Parenthood Funding Gaps
Cassandra Basler, WSHU-FM (Fairfield, CT)
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont plans to help fund family planning services with the state budget he unveiled this week. Planned Parenthood of Southern New England recently lost more than $2 million in federal funds. That’s after the Trump administration revoked Title X grants for providers that counsel patients on abortion. Lamont plans to help bridge that funding gap with $1.5 million from the State Department of Public Health.
Obstetric violence is a real problem. Evelyn Yang’s experience is just one example.
Kimberly Seals Allers, Washington Post
When Evelyn Yang, wife of presidential candidate Andrew Yang, recently shared her traumatic experience of alleged sexual assault by her obstetrician, I felt physically ill. As a mother of two, the thought of being sexually violated by a provider during the vulnerable time of pregnancy — a period that should be one of joy and optimism — was tragic, infuriating and sickening. Truth is, though, Yang’s experience falls within the scope of a disturbing problem of obstetric violence.
Workplace Equality
Women have surpassed men to hold more jobs in fields with negotiation and critical-thinking skills
Leslie Albrecht, MarketWatch
Over the past few decades, women have moved out of jobs as food prep workers and administrative assistants and into roles as nurses, sales managers and lawyers, a new analysis by the Pew Research Center found. As they’ve entered these high-skills fields, their earning power has swelled rapidly — faster than men’s.
Woman Firefighter in Oregon Files Gender Discrimination Lawsuit
Associated Press
A woman who fought fires for Atira Systems GST of Oregon is suing for gender discrimination, saying she was forced to share a hotel room with male colleagues, according to court documents.
Court rules in favor of Philadelphia’s ban on asking job applicants their salary history
Anna Orso, Philadelphia Inquirer
In a decision that could have national implications, a federal appeals court Thursday sided with the city of Philadelphia, saying it can ban employers from asking job applicants their salary history. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit partly reversed a 2018 lower court decision that halted the provision in Philadelphia’s Wage Equity Ordinance that prohibited employers from asking about salary history.
Lawmakers Want to Better Accommodate Pregnant Workers
Maya Smith, Memphis Flyer
A bill reintroduced by Tennessee lawmakers Wednesday — one that would provide clarity for employers as it relates to pregnant workers and allow those workers to receive reasonable accommodations — is already gathering support from the business community across the state.