I’m not 100% clear on how anything is happening aside from protests and pandemic, but my calendar insists this is the case.
Today…
is Mom’s Equal Pay Day, recognizing how far into 2020 that mothers had to work in order to make what fathers made in 2019 alone.
in 2018, Masterpiece Cakeshop was handed down. You know, Big Nana always warned me about mangiacakes.
be helpful.
Autostraddle | 43 Bail Funds You Can Absolutely Support Right Now (Cash bail is bullshit, but until we’re rid of it...)
Elite Daily | 22 Black-Owned Bookstores You Can Order From Online
Fashionista | 200+ Black-Owned and Founded Beauty and Wellness Brands to Know
LGBTQ Nation | Here’s how to support the fight for Black lives even if you can’t protest in person
MSN | 7 ways to be an effective ally for the Black community, because empty virtue signaling is not it
And you know, for obvious reasons I’ve shied away from levity over the last few days, but… it’s National Cheese Day. I appreciate you, take care of yourself, have a little something. Huh? For me? You know I’d fix you a plate if I could.
Abortion
Really Racist Guy Loses to Regular Racist Guy
Rebecca Fishbein | Jezebel
Randy Feenstra is a self-proclaimed Christian conservative, a big Trump fan, anti-abortion, and more likely than King to beat his Democratic challenger for the seat in the fall.
Debbie may be a downer, but that doesn’t make her wrong. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
They’re Doctors. They’re Also Incredibly Effective-and Dangerous-Anti-Abortion Activists.
Marisa Endicott | Mother Jones
The nearly 50-year-old group [American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists] may be still relatively unknown to the broader public, flying under the radar as an innocuous-sounding medical association, but the Trump era has opened the door for it to exert significant new powers: intermingling with key Trump personnel in charge of health policy, influencing administration staffing, and playing a major role in shaping the recent explosion of state-level anti-abortion legislation.
New Mexico
Primary wins for progressive Democrats a ‘mandate’ on abortion rights, say activists
Susan Dunlap | NM Political Report
With five out of seven grassroots challengers winning seats in the state Senate, some of which were historic upsets, activists said on Wednesday the wins are a “mandate” for reproductive healthcare.
Also, also, also, very important development moving under the radar…
LGBTQ
Black trans woman attacked in viral video, activists speak out
Mariel Turner | theGrio
Trans activists and Black Lives Matter advocates are rallying around a Black trans woman after a video of her being attacked went viral. In a video posted to Twitter on Monday, Iyanna Dior can be seen being brutally beaten by a group of Black men after a reported “fender bender” in Minnesota. The clip shows the group of men follow her into a local store where they continue to harass and assault Dior.
Out | Iyanna Dior, Black Trans Woman, Beat In Viral, Brutal Video
Rolling Stone | A Black Trans Woman Named Iyanna Dior Was Beaten by a Mob In Minneapolis
Vox | Iyanna Dior: Video shows dozens of men beating trans woman in Minneapolis
Here's A Reminder That Pride Was Built On A Riot Led By Black LGBTQ People
Kelly Martinez | BuzzFeed
Pride Month looks a little different this year. But now is a more important time than ever to remember the movement's roots and acknowledge that Pride would not exist if it weren't for the efforts of black LGBTQ activists.
Police Fired At An LGBTQ+ Bar Owner For Running A First Aid Station For Protestors
Isabelle Lichtenstein | GO
An LGBTQ+ bar owner in North Carolina was shot at by cops during a Black Lives Matter protest after the police received an anonymous tip that they were giving water bottles to protestors.
Tony McDade, Nina Pop, Monika Diamond: These are among the lost black transgender lives honored at Stonewall protests Tuesday
Cecilia Nowell | The Lily
Tony McDade’s death is believed to be the 12th violent death of a transgender or gender nonconforming person in the United States this year. 2018 saw 26 such deaths. So did 2019. In 2013, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs reported that transgender people of color were six times more likely to experience physical violence from the police compared to white cisgender people.
The 28 Non-Offensive LGBTQ Terms You Should Know
Jonathan Borge | MSN
We collaborated with the LGBTQ advocacy organization GLAAD to create an expansive collection of terms that will help you support and cheer on the LGBTQ community.
Clicking through the list and hearing it in Patrick’s voice…
L.A. Pride to march in solidarity with Black Lives Matter on June 14
Cortney Wills | theGrio
“In 1970, we gathered on Hollywood Boulevard to protest police brutality and oppression to our community,” said Estevan Montemayor, the organization’s president. “We will do that again this year, where it began, in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.”
Why Pride Is Still as Important as Ever
Claudia Eller | Variety
Given the nationwide outcry and widespread protests in response to police brutality and the senseless death of George Floyd, we considered postponing [our annual Pride issue]. But as we discussed it among our staff, we were reminded that Pride and activism go hand in hand.
Variety’s Power of Pride 2020 List
Variety
The following artists, executives and storytellers make up Variety’s annual Power of Pride list, which honors those in the LGBTQ community who use their spotlight to foster understanding and promote inclusion in the entertainment industry.
YouTube fights back against bias lawsuit from LGBTQ creators
Julia Alexander | The Verge
The fight between a group of LGBTQ YouTube creators and the video platform’s parent company, Google, over censorship faced its first real test on Tuesday as a California court heard arguments from both groups to determine whether the case should be dismissed. Several YouTubers filed a lawsuit in August 2019 claiming that YouTube’s algorithm suppresses recommendations and makes it difficult to earn ad revenue. The company denies it discriminates against creators.
Pregnancy & Parenting
15 Organizations Whose Vital Work Supports Black Moms & Families Every Day
Morgan Brinlee | Romper
From alliances dedicated to reducing the Black maternal mortality rate to groups fighting for policy reform, there are a number of organizations working to support Black mothers and families. And whether it's with monetary donations, amplifying their missions on social media, or learning about their programs, fellow moms can help support these organizations' invaluable work today and beyond.
What Fertility Treatments Will Look Like After The Coronavirus Pandemic, According To Experts
Alice Broster | Forbes
For the last few months, people going through fertility treatment have had their lives and plans put on hold. As clinics and physicians were advised to suspend all treatments until further notice specialists have had to adapt. Appointments and treatments have changed throughout the Covid-19 crisis and experts explain why how things may be different forever.
Reproductive Health & Justice
Black voters are most worried about health and economic damage from coronavirus, poll finds
Jacob Pramuk | CNBC
Black voters in swing states, hit harder by the coronavirus than other racial groups, worry most about the ongoing health and economic crises created by the pandemic, according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll.
Racial Injustice And Health Disparities
Richard Skolnik | Los Alamos Daily Post
The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week reminds us of the extent to which racial injustice remains a central feature of American life. Closely related to this are America’s remarkable racial disparities in health.
There is No Right Way to Fight for Your Life
Mikki Kendall | Time
Despite claims that Black people in America are not trying hard enough, a lack of individual effort is not the issue. Instead, structural barriers, coupled with racism and indifference, continue to hold Black people back. Black lives matter–even those lives that do not fit into a narrow mold of respectability–but many people don’t believe that they do, at least not as much as other lives.
Indiana doctors and nurses march to end racial disparity in health care
Sandra Chapman | WHAS-TV (Louisville, KY)
Indiana health care workers want to address racial disparities in the health system with the White Coats Black Lives movement.
Supreme Court
Police immunity rule getting fresh look by Supreme Court after George Floyd death
Devin Dwyer | ABC News
With police misconduct in the spotlight, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday will consider whether to revisit its 50-year-old doctrine of "qualified immunity" for law enforcement officers, which has shielded cops from civil lawsuits even in cases where a citizen's rights have been violated.
Law360 | As Protests Rage, Supreme Court Eyes Immunity For Cops
National Law Journal | At Supreme Court, Sotomayor Is Leading Voice Against Alleged Police Abuses
The Supreme Court, Too, Is on the Brink
Linda Greenhouse | New York Times
As an astonished country witnessed on Monday night, as he held a Bible in front of a church near the White House after demonstrators were violently cleared from his path, Donald Trump is using religion as a cultural wedge to deflect attention from the consequences of his own ineptitude. The recognition that four Supreme Court justices — Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh — would have invoked the court’s power to undermine fact-based public policy in the name of a misbegotten claim of religious discrimination was beyond depressing. It was terrifying.
Work & Money
Child care funding must change
Natalia D. Macker, Betsy Carlin | Jackson Hole News & Guide
We need to recognize the women and men in child care as what they are — educators in a high-risk environment — and pay them accordingly. Like K-12 schools they are providing a necessity that benefits all of society.
More, More, More
At the Border, Religious Beliefs Are a Tool - and a Weapon
Barbara Sostaita | Bitch Media
Aid workers are able to successfully mobilize their religious convictions to defend their actions, but migrants—who are also largely Christian—are not afforded the same protections.
“Employ Black People. Fund Black Entrepreneurs. Do SOMEthing”
Morgan DeBaun | dot.LA
This is a turning point in America. Accountability can not be avoided and demands have been made loud and clear for corporations near and far: Speak up against racism and take action to fight it. Release a statement denouncing racism and in support of basic human rights for black lives, give money to national black-led non-profits committed to creating social change, donate to bail funds for protestors. Amplify the voices and concerns of black Americans. Employ black people. Fund black entrepreneurs. Do SOMEthing. We all have a role and responsibility in this fight.
A Documentary for the #MeToo Era, for Better and Worse
Salamishah Tillet | New York Times
“On the Record” implicitly addresses longstanding criticism that black women have been overlooked in the conversation about sexual assault and power, but the film could have gone further.
‘If she was on your team, you were so lucky.’ Miami women’s rights activist, lawyer dies
Carli Teproff | Miami Herald
For years, Patricia Margaret Kennedy fought for women’s rights. As the chairwoman of the National Organization of Women’s 1984 convention in Miami Beach, Kennedy helped bring in Geraldine Ferraro, who became the first female nominee for U.S. vice president.