Thoroughly modern major general
Today…
in 1972, Title IX was signed into law by Pres. Richard Nixon.
is National Pecan Sandies Day. The 10yo has been asking to make cookies, but keeps eating all the chocolate chips when I’m not watching, so this may be just the thing.
was the birthday of Major General Jeanne Holm (1921–2010), the first woman to reach the rank of one-star general of the Air Force and first woman two-star general in any military branch.
On a related note, I missed this New York Magazine feature from over the weekend, but never too late to share: The Black Female Battalion That Stood Up to a White Male Army, the story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and Major Charity Adams, the first Black woman to lead American troops overseas.
It really never is too late to share.
Abortion
Explaining the third-party question in the Supreme Court abortion case
Alexandra Svokos | ABC News
The Supreme Court will be announcing a decision in a major abortion case soon, and while it's centered on one state law, another question has come up in the case that could have massive consequences for the future of abortion laws in America.
Arkansas
The Inside Story Of How Arkansas Exploited COVID To Stop Abortions
Melissa Jeltsen | HuffPost
Under pressure by anti-abortion activists ― including a board of health member ― the state health department became a weapon in the war against abortion.
Tennessee
Tennessee Lawmakers Pass Fetal Heartbeat Bill, ACLU and Planned Parenthood Fight Back
Aliza Pelto | BUST Magazine
The southern state’s latest attacks on basic human rights come in the form of an astounding 23-5 majority vote to effectively pass the fetal heartbeat bill, a bill that aims to ban all abortion as soon as a heartbeat can be detected on a fetal monitor. This phenomenon can occur as early as 5½ to 6 weeks into a pregnancy, long before most people even realize they are pregnant.
LGBTQ
Editorial: A cruel HHS regulation shows the battle for transgender rights isn’t over
Washington Post
When President Trump’s administration proposed a rule last summer seeking to roll back non-discrimination protections for transgender people in health care, 155,966 public comments came through in response. Yet the final product released this month is nearly identical to the original — just as insidious and now, according to the precedent set by the Supreme Court last week, just as likely illegal.
LGBTQ+ Groups Sue Over Trump's Health Care Discrimination Rule
Trudy Ring | The Advocate
Several LGBTQ+ organizations that provide health care have filed suit against Donald Trump’s administration over the revocation of nondiscrimination provisions in the Affordable Care Act, and the suit invokes the recent Supreme Court ruling on anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination.
More from: The American Independent, Bloomberg, CBS, Inside Health Policy, Mic, National Law Journal, NPR, POLITICO, Washington Blade
Supreme Court's LGBTQ ruling could have 'broad implications,' legal experts say
Julie Moreau | NBC News
The high court's decision in Bostock v. Clayton County could have implications far beyond employment discrimination.
The Conversation | Devil in the detail of SCOTUS ruling on workplace bias puts LGBTQ rights and religious freedom on collision course
J.K. Rowling’s Lit Agency Wouldn’t Affirm Trans Rights, So Four Authors Quit
Laura Bradley | The Daily Beast
After J.K. Rowling published a transphobic screed earlier this month, multiple trans authors represented by the same literary agency asked the company to reaffirm its support for the trans community, and its commitment to trans equality. The company apparently refused—so they’re walking.
Pride Month: 12 key numbers highlighting the economic status, challenges that LGBTQ people face
Dayana Yochim | NBC News
Stable employment, access to healthcare, and the ability to save and provide for our families and ourselves as we age — all women face obstacles to achieving economic equality in these areas. But the country’s 5.1 million LGBTQ women deal with additional layers of bias, stigma and lack of legal protections simply because of who they choose to love and how they identify.
In fight for LGBTQ rights, Aimee Stephens was a hero. She was also my wife.
Donna Lampkin Stephens | Detroit Free Press
Aimee Stephens became a hero to many when she sued her employer, R.G & G.R Harris Funeral Home, after the business fired her for being transgender. To me, she was my lifelong friend, and wife of 20 years.
Reproductive health care an essential part of LGBTQ rights
Barbara Alvarez | Patheos
Reproductive justice is the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities. There are no exceptions for LGBTQ folks.
California
California says no state-funded travel to Idaho
Bob Egelko | San Francisco Chronicle
On July 1, Idaho will refuse to allow transgender residents to change their birth certificates or compete on school sports teams consistent with their gender identity. In return, California will cut off state-funded travel to Idaho.
West Virginia
Meet West Virginia’s First Out Trans Lawmaker: Rosemary Ketchum
Jo Yurcaba | Rewire.News
Rosemary Ketchum has been a community organizer in Wheeling, West Virginia, for about a decade. Now, she’s the state’s first out transgender elected official.
I grew up in Steubenville, ‘bout 30 miles up the river from Wheeling. We’re in the same DMA. We’re cousins. 🙂 Point is, I am so happy about Rosemary Ketchum. She is one council member in one small city, but what a bright spot. Ohio Valley news shared from folks outside the area isn’t usually so good.
Pregnancy & Parenting
Heat and Racism Threaten Birth Outcomes for Women of Color
Avery Ellfeldt | Scientific American
Rising temperatures brought on by climate change disproportionately threaten pregnant women who work outdoors, who can't access air conditioning and who are Black or Hispanic, a panel of reproductive justice experts said last week.
Global Citizen | Climate Change Disproportionately Impacts Black Mothers in the US, New Research Shows
Georgia Senate backs maternal mortality bill
Tamar Hallerman | Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Legislature must approve funding later An amended version of House Bill 1114 now heads back to the House, where legislators have only a few days to act before the end of the 2020 session.
Reproductive Health & Justice
What Are The Health Benefits Of Female Masturbation?
Alice Broster | Forbes
There are so many sex-positive educators in 2020 shining a light on the importance of pleasure and understanding your body. So, it feels slightly bizarre that female pleasure is still a bit of a taboo. Especially considering that the health benefits of female masturbation are pretty extensive.
Reading like…
A Call for Accountability: Anti Blackness in The Menstrual Justice Space
Ileri Jaiyeoba | Medium
The long upheld, ignored, and overlooked reputational exceptionalism has faded — and finally, branded activists, corporations, organizations etc. are being held to a greater standard for their unacceptably insufficient performative activism.
California
UC Davis seeks 12 couples to test hormonal birth control gel for men
Cathie Anderson | The Sacramento Bee
UC Davis Health is looking for 12 healthy couples to test out a new birth control method for men that could become the first male hormonal contraceptive on the market.
New Mexico
A Hospital Was Accused of Racially Profiling Native American Women. Staff Said Administrators Impeded an Investigation.
Bryant Furlow | ProPublica
Federal regulators are investigating a New Mexico hospital accused of racial profiling. This comes as hospital staff said administrators appeared to hide documents and discouraged cooperation with an initial state inquiry.
Liberation is a Long Haul: Lessons from Juneteenth
Jakeya Caruthers | 100 Days In Appalachia
Over the past three weeks, more than 3,600 cities and towns in Appalachia and across the country have erupted in protest over anti-Black state violence in all its forms. The current fight is waged against multiple sites of oppression, from erased violence against women and trans people to issues of reproductive justice, education, equitable housing and health.
And while the article is serious, I have to share the picture that accompanies it, because it is so much joy.
Work & Money
Older women are less protected by age discrimination laws than older men
Kristen Dalli | ConsumerAffairs
Age discrimination is still as prevalent as ever in the workplace, and a new study conducted by University of Buffalo researchers explored how much protection older men and women have at work. According to the researchers, age discrimination laws, which are designed to protect both men and women in the workplace, are more skewed to protect older men than their female counterparts.
Can Aspirational Women's Media Ever Be Inclusive?
Hazel Cills | Jezebel
No matter how many “feminist reading lists” a publication pumps out, or how closely editorials resemble Colors of Benetton ads, if the women within the machine of these so-called “women’s sites” are forced to churn out dozens of stories a day for little pay and are seen as an extension of fashion and beauty PR, these sites do not actually have the interests of women at heart.
Female general managers don’t exist in NBA 2K20. It’s one of many video games where playing as a woman isn’t an option.
Hayley Tsukayama | The Lily
In the highly popular video game NBA 2K20, gender equality only goes so far. The game, released last year, was the first iteration in the 20-year-old series to allow gamers to play using teams and athletes from the WNBA. But even though users can play as female athletes, you can’t have a woman represent your team in the front office: It’s not possible to have a female general manager in 2K20.
Attention, Bosses: Here's How to Design a Diversity Policy That Actually Makes a Difference
Latesha Byrd | Money
The aftermath of recent police killings of Black men and women is lingering on our country’s conscience. Societal pressures have urged companies to take action, but real change is going to take time, accountability, and a dose of discomfort.
The “Grateful To Be Here” Generation Has Some Apologizing To Do
Connie Wang | Refinery29
Along the way, many of us did more than just survive a bad situation. We learned how to thrive within these environments, becoming devils ourselves. We, the Grateful Generation, owe you younger people in the room an apology.
Colorado
Paid family leave supporters in Colorado push forward on petition effort
Joe Rubino | The Denver Post
Efforts to create a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado ran aground at the statehouse again this year with coronavirus partly to blame. With the sponsors of that would-be legislation backing them, a group of supporters on Monday formally launched their campaign to get paid leave on Colorado’s November ballot and passed into law.
Missouri
Nicole Galloway Wants to Stop the Missouri GOP’s Assault on Women’s Rights
Kaylen Ralph | Teen Vogue
In 2018, former Republican governor Eric Greitens resigned from office amidst multiple scandals. In May 2019, Greitens’s replacement, Lt. Governor Mike Parson, signed HB-126, Missouri’s restrictive ban on abortion after eight weeks. And Nicole Galloway has had enough. The 37-year-old Democrat is facing off against Parson in the state’s gubernatorial election this November.
New York
Letter alleges abuse, mismanagement by Planned Parenthood of Greater NY head
Bethany Bump | Albany Times Union
More than 300 current and former employees of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York have signed an open letter calling for the removal of president and CEO Laura McQuade, as well as an investigation into her handling of the organization's finances and allegations of abusive behavior.
More, More, More
Defund police? Some cities have already started, investing in mental health instead
Lindsay Schnell | USA Today
As calls to "defund the police" echo around the country, a handful of communities already know what that looks like as they invest millions of dollars into mental health resources and response teams instead of just traditional policing. These crisis intervention teams typically do not include an armed, uniformed officer but do feature counselors, social workers and paramedics.