Make friends with salad
Today…
in 1994, ob/gyn Dr. John Britton was shot and killed by an anti-abortion extremist. His bodyguard was also killed in the attack – let us take a moment to note that this doctor needed to travel with a bodyguard – and his wife was injured.
is National Lasagna Day, which… yay, lasagna, of course, but in July? Who’s trying to bake a whole lasagna in this weather? Lasagna is a Thanksgiving food, everyone knows that.
Today’s a day for a lovely panzanella. A niçoise salad. Gazpacho.
As of this writing, this newsletter has 149 subscribers. A nice, odd number that anyone would like and be… totally… cool with… 😬
Abortion
‘Pro-Life’ Care Net Plans Conference in Coronavirus’ Deadly Florida Path
Emily Shugerman | The Daily Beast
Even Donald Trump knew Florida is too dangerous for a big gathering, having just canceled the GOP convention there. But a major pro-life group is forging ahead with a 1,300-person, three-day conference in the coronavirus-ridden state—and won’t even require masks unless officials force them.
What Is Going On With Congress, the Budget, and Abortion Access? A GIFsplanation
Jessica Mason Pieklo | Rewire.News
House Democrats have re-upped the Hyde Amendment—but Rep. Ayanna Pressley and others are fighting back.
How a Desi Person Can Take Care of Their Mental Health While Seeking an Abortion
Shelly Khan | Rewire.News
This Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, it's critical to put your well-being first. Instead of seeing yourself as the villain of this story, see yourself as a hero because you didn’t allow a human to be created in circumstances that might have been toxic for them.
Georgia
Georgia tried to ban abortions. Pandemic-era telemedicine offers a unique alternative.
Emily Weyrauch | Scalawag
Georgia is a state notorious for its hostility to abortion access—the state’s recently blocked six-week ban aimed to prohibit abortions before most people even know they are pregnant. But during COVID-19, Georgia also happens to be one of a small number of states allowing for abortion by telemedicine through a national study. And a new court ruling—plus a lack of specific legislation against telemedicine abortion in the state—may further expand the reach of abortion access.
LGBTQ
Anger, leaks and tensions at the Supreme Court during the LGBTQ rights case
Joan Biskupic | CNN
In their private conference room in October with only the nine and no law clerks, the justices debated whether and how to provide the same anti-bias coverage for 1 million transgender workers, according to multiple sources familiar with the inner workings of the court.
Three More Trans Americans Have Become Homicide Victims
Trudy Ring | The Advocate
Two trans women were killed this week, and the death of a trans man a month ago is still under investigation.
Out Magazine | Two Black Trans Women Violently Killed This Week in America
It’s Gotten Better to Be LGBTQ in Big Law, but Struggles Remain
Stephanie Russell-Kraft | Bloomberg Law News
LGBTQ attorneys from Big Law and across the legal profession spoke about the tremendous progress that has been made towards inclusion in the last several decades. They also spoke about the many barriers that still remain.
The Political Urgency Of Facial Feminization Surgery
Alex Green | BuzzFeed News
At the beginning of March, [Harron Walker’s] facial feminization surgery was deemed necessary by three separate medical providers. But less than a week before her appointment, the hospital suddenly designated it an “elective” procedure — along with many other transgender surgeries that were postponed, some of them indefinitely, due to the pandemic.
Groundbreaking Trans Cast Members of "Pose" Snubbed by Emmys for Second Year
Nico Lang | them.
For the second year in a row, Pose’s groundbreaking trans cast members came out empty handed on Emmy nomination day.
The Advocate | Emmys Snub Transgender Stars of 'Pose,' 'Euphoria'
Deadline | Emmy Nominations Increase In Diversity As Demand For Inclusion And Representation Continues
Pennsylvania
Dr. Rachel Levine responds to transphobic comments: ‘I do not have time for intolerance’
Madasyn Lee | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine on Tuesday broke her silence about people who have harassed and directed transphobic comments at her in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Center Square | Pennsylvania health official speaks out against transphobic attacks
The Patriot News | Dr. Rachel Levine: Transphobic incidents are ‘hurting the thousands of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians’
Pregnancy & Parenting
Black and Latino families face brutal school decisions amid coronavirus pandemic
Caitlin Owens | Axios
The child care crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic is horrible for parents regardless of their race or income, but Black and Latino communities are bearing the heaviest burden.
I’m a teacher and parent. Our schools aren’t ready to reopen and keep children and families safe.
Gina Caneva | Chicago Sun-Times
Two major questions loom in the minds of every educator and parent: Can our nation keep children and families healthy, even with limited classroom teaching? If remote learning continues, will students lose too much educationally?
🠲 ‘The mom shame is so real’: There’s no way to win in the pandemic
Caroline Kitchener | The Lily
This shaming seems to have intensified during the pandemic, according to interviews with 10 working mothers who say they’ve felt judged for their parenting decisions. Many said they’d be hesitant to post about their child care online or talk about their choices with people outside their closest networks: If you say the wrong thing, one said, people will “make you feel terrible about yourself.” Even if they hadn’t experienced explicit shaming, many said they anticipated the judgment, and judged themselves.
🠲 What Portland's 'Wall Of Moms' Protests Say About Motherhood, Race In America
Danielle Kurtzleben | NPR
Many "moms" activist groups are started and powered by women … But it's also true that stereotypes about gender, as well as race, have long played a role in shaping that power — as well as determining who gets to wield it.
‘A silent stressor’: Pregnant workers say they risk their health, safety to avoid being stereotyped
Safety+Health Magazine
Nearly 2 out of 3 pregnant workers say they stress about being stereotyped as weak or less committed to their job, leading many to conceal their pregnancies and overperform – in turn, risking their health and safety as well as that of their unborn child, according to a recent study.
Family Caregivers Face Unique Challenges During COVID-19 Pandemic
Lauren Bavis | Side Effects Public Media
Caregivers juggle work and family, and coordinate medical care for a loved one – a lot of responsibility under normal conditions. Now, with the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of caregivers across the country are adjusting to new ways of life.
Work & Money
Women leaders are proven to be better at fighting the pandemic
Uma S Kambhampati | Agenda (Word Economic Forum)
This column discusses how COVID-19 cases could be related to the gender of a countries leader. The findings show that COVID outcomes are systematically better in countries led by women.
Biden must choose a Black woman for vice president
Renee Graham | The Boston Globe
In this perilous moment, no one can speak more eloquently from the lived experience of battling racism and sexism, of working to uphold the fragile promises of our democracy.
People Can’t Just Get Back To Work
Emily Friedlander Peck | HuffPost
Most of those surveyed had been laid off or furloughed from their jobs, but 6% reported quitting because of caregiving responsibilities. And now while 75% of those folks are spending most of their time actively looking for work, about a quarter said they’re primarily caregiving ― that translates to about 8 million Americans.
Ambition to serve should be honored in everyone, not just men
Stephanie Schriock | InsideNova
For too long, women, especially women of color, have been told to wait their turn. Time and again, no matter the job or the industry, men are praised for their ambition, labeled as “ones to watch” or “full of potential,” while women are criticized for those same traits.
Child Care Workers Are Now a Mighty Force With a Huge New Union. It Only Took 17 Years.
Hamilton Nolan | In These Times
A 17-year organizing campaign in California culminated this week in the successful unionization of 45,000 child care providers—the largest single union election America has seen in years.
Sexual Harassment and Misconduct in the Legal Profession: An Interview with Women Lawyers on Guard
Matthew Fischer | JURIST
As lawyers, we are privileged to uphold and follow all aspects of the law. However, would you be surprised if I said that sexual misconduct and harassment are still rampant in the legal profession?
Would I be surprised? Matthew.
A Record Number Of Black Women Are Running For U.S. Congress
Charise Frazier | MadameNoire.com
As primary season comes to a close, leading to the ramp up for the general election in November, according to two very prominent political action groups devoted to building Black political power and diversity among candidates, found that Black women are running for congressional seats in vast and wide numbers.
No Mercy for Women in the Religious Workplace
Genie Harrison | Ms. Magazine
It’s a brand-new day under Title VII for gay and transgender people in the workplace—but the U.S. Supreme Court says it’s another century for people employed by religious organizations. In two cases brought on behalf of women educators employed by parochial schools, the nation’s highest court handed religious employers an almost total pass on anti-discrimination laws.
90 Percent of Workers Are Doing More Than Their Regular Roles for Their Companies Now
Quinn Fish | Working Mother
You're not alone if you feel like your manager is giving you assignments outside of your job description. In fact, 92 percent of employees are doing more at work than what their job role calls for, according to a new survey.
Florida
Fired Black worker didn’t fit boss’s ‘vision,’ feds say. Now Florida county will pay
Hayley Fowler | Miami Herald
A Black woman in Florida was fired from the county tourism office without reason and replaced with a white person, according to Justice Department officials. Now the county is on the hook for $150,000.
GOOD.
Indiana
4 women re-file lawsuit against Curtis Hill, alleging battery, defamation
Justin Mack | The Indianapolis Star
Four women who accused Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill of groping them at a 2018 party have taken their case to a Marion County court their lawsuit was dismissed by a federal judge earlier this year.
More, More, More
Trump retweeted a video with false covid-19 claims. One doctor in it has said demons cause illnesses.
Travis Andrews, Danielle Paquette | Washington Post
After social media companies removed a viral video showing doctors making unsubstantiated claims about covid-19, one of those doctors’s past phrases in particular began trending on Twitter: demon sperm. It turns out Stella Immanuel has a history of making particularly outlandish claims — including that the uterine disorder endometriosis is caused by sex with demons that take place in dreams.
Daily Beast | Stella Immanuel, Trump’s New COVID Doctor, Believes in Alien DNA, Demon Sperm and Hydroxychloroquine
The Mary Sure | Trump Spreads “Doctor’s” Absurd Claims About COVID, Demon Sperm, Alien DNA, and Astral Sex—Sadly, Not a Supernatural Episode
Salon | Doctor retweeted by President Trump asks Dr. Fauci for urine sample, warns of having sex with demons
Finding the women of the White nationalist movement
Brandon Tensley | CNN
In her new book, "Sisters in Hate: American Women on the Front Lines of White Nationalism," Seyward Darby charts the lives of three women who were or are active in the White nationalist movement. In doing so, she adds dimension to readers' understanding of the complex role that gender plays in bolstering the country's racial regime.
The DNC’s Insistence on Putting Identity-Based Issues Second Has Long Been a Problem
Kylie Cheung | The Mary Sue
John Kasich’s record, and Biden and possibly the DNC’s embrace of it, are a stark reminder that all too often, identity-based social justice issues are treated as secondary by Democratic Party leadership, in an attempt to posture as more “serious” and “unifying.”
Generally I don’t include news from outside the U.S., but I really liked this 🠳🠳 pilot project being launched in London.
Community pharmacy pilots 'safe haven' for those who have experienced sexual abuse
Julia Robinson | The Pharmaceutical Journal
It will aim to provide a “safe haven” for those who have experienced sexual abuse who have been turned away from dedicated sexual health services owing to reduced opening hours and closures over the lockdown period.