Category Archives: Feminism and Politics

“Enemies of Happiness”

From the FLP mailbox: I am writing to you from Women Make Movies—a non-profit media arts organization and the world’s leading distributor of independent films by and about women—to let you know about the highly anticipated national broadcast of A … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on “Enemies of Happiness”

Larry Craig

I’ve been trying to resist posting on the whole Larry Craig affair because it seems that everyone else in the blogosphere has covered just about every conceivable angle of this story. But, after hearing that Craig is now determined to … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Larry Craig

Today Is Women’s Equality Day

Celebrate by heading over to Tennessee Guerilla Women and reading this, this and this. Via Mae Quinn.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Feminist Blogs Of Interest | Comments Off on Today Is Women’s Equality Day

Summer 2007 SFO: Women, Prisons and Change

AVAILABLE HERE!

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Politics, Feminists in Academia, Women and Economics | Comments Off on Summer 2007 SFO: Women, Prisons and Change

What Does One WaPo Writer Think Is The Best Way To Critically Describe Cheney’s Foreign Policy Views? A Quote About Him Having “this little-girl crush on strongmen.”

Here. Below is an excerpt: … By fall, the compromises grew more serious. When tanks rolled through Bangkok in a military coup overthrowing Thailand‘s elected prime minister, Bush was at the United Nations delivering a speech on democracy. But Bush … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on What Does One WaPo Writer Think Is The Best Way To Critically Describe Cheney’s Foreign Policy Views? A Quote About Him Having “this little-girl crush on strongmen.”

Gender’s Unnatural Disaster

The fallout from Hurricane Dean will be deeper and darker than anything we could learn from an action hero reporter gripped to a palm tree. A child playing outside right now as you read this post will drown sometime within … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Feminism and Politics, Uncategorized, Women's Health | Comments Off on Gender’s Unnatural Disaster

Mayan Woman Almost Thrown Out Of Hotel, Until It Is Discovered That She Is A Nobel Laureate.

From The Guardian: She was wearing a Mayan dress, the traditional attire of indigenous people in central America, and the hotel’s response was also traditional: throw her out. Staff at Cancun’s five-star Hotel Coral Beach appear to have assumed this … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Mayan Woman Almost Thrown Out Of Hotel, Until It Is Discovered That She Is A Nobel Laureate.

India at Menopause (60)

On Wednesday, India celebrated 60 years of independence from Britain.   Much has been said about how much India has developed, including in the area of women’s rights and women’s political power (consider former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, and … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on India at Menopause (60)

South Carolina, States Rights and Feminism

Over at Prawfsblawg Scott Moss asked readers for their favorite bad legal argument. On entrant was the South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon’s position in Reno v. Condon. You can listen to here. The stupid starts really flying around 30 … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on South Carolina, States Rights and Feminism

“Unmarried America 2007”

Women’s Voices. Women Vote. has produced a report about unmarried Americans that can be accessed here. Among the “key findings“: • Unmarried citizens are a surging force in American politics. Currently, there are almost 90 million unmarried adult citizens. More … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on “Unmarried America 2007”

Peddling Sexuality in the Presidential Race

We remember when the Al-Tipper smooch took everyone by surprise in the 2000 presidential race.   This season, Harper’s Bazaar  gives us a  photo spread that features a shot of Judith Nathan on Rudy Giuliani’s lap.    “Aww, how sweet” … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Peddling Sexuality in the Presidential Race

Antagonistic men valued, while angry women perceived ‘out of control’

From Scientific American: A man who gets angry at work may well be admired for it but a woman who shows anger in the workplace is liable to be seen as “out of control” and incompetent, according to a new … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Politics, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on Antagonistic men valued, while angry women perceived ‘out of control’

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Passes House

Yesterday, the House voted 225-199 in favor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.   Now onto the Senate.   Call your Senators. – David S. Cohen

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Passes House

Ruth Marcus, Person of Cleavage

That is how she describes herself in this WaPo column, entitled Pretty Formidable in Pink. Below is an excerpt: … Clinton has a three-decades-long record of working on issues related to women and families, and she’s seeking the presidency at … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Ruth Marcus, Person of Cleavage

“Much ado about Pratibha Patil”

Ammu Joseph discusses media coverage of the election of India’s first female President here.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Firsts, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on “Much ado about Pratibha Patil”

Senator Clinton’s Cleavage

From the Washington Post: Hillary Clinton’s Tentative Dip Into New Neckline Territory By Robin Givhan There was cleavage on display Wednesday afternoon on C-SPAN2. It belonged to Sen. Hillary Clinton. The full article is here.   What do you all … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Politics, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on Senator Clinton’s Cleavage

NYT Incoherently Headlines Article: “Women Supportive but Skeptical of Clinton, Poll Says”

Here is an excerpt from the NYT article: Women view Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton more favorably than men do, but she still faces skepticism among some women, especially those who are older and those who are married, according to the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on NYT Incoherently Headlines Article: “Women Supportive but Skeptical of Clinton, Poll Says”

“That Pew Survey on Mothers And Work”

Echidne of the Snakes does a terrific job unpacking the rhetoric around the new Pew Center findings.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Feminist Blogs Of Interest, Women and Economics | Comments Off on “That Pew Survey on Mothers And Work”

How did Larry Flynt’s detective get a “different set of phone records” than ABC News had?

From the WaPo: How David Vitter Got Nabbed in Madam Scandal In a Wednesday afternoon news conference, Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt gloated over taking credit for catching socially conservative Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) on the phone list of the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on How did Larry Flynt’s detective get a “different set of phone records” than ABC News had?

“Because I Am A Girl”

Eponymous website here. Project description here, which notes: Because I am a Girl: The State of the World’s Girls, is the first in a series of global reports on girls to be published over the next nine years by Plan. … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Feminism and Politics, Feminist Blogs Of Interest, Women's Health | Comments Off on “Because I Am A Girl”

Sunstein on Gender Equality & Freedom of Religion

Here is the abstract: When, if ever, is it legitimate for law to ban sex discrimination by religious institutions? It is best to approach this question by noticing that most of the time, ordinary civil and criminal law are legitimately … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Sunstein on Gender Equality & Freedom of Religion

Copyright Law and Pornography

Until 1979, copyright protection was effectively unavailable for “obscene” pornography. Then in Mitchell Bros. Film Group v. Cinema Adult Theater, 604 F.2d 852 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 445 U.S. 917 (1979) and Jartech, Inc. v. Clancy, 666 F.2d 403 (9th … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Copyright Law and Pornography

Live Blogging from the Democratic Debate, Thursday June 28

I will be live blogging from the “All-American Presidential Forum” at Howard University in Washington, DC. The telecast is this Thursday, June 28, 2007 from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ET. Tune in to your PBS affiliate to catch the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Live Blogging from the Democratic Debate, Thursday June 28

“Suddenly, the abstinence-only movement cares about facts?”

That’s the title of a very informative post by Ann Friedman at Feminsting about errors in sex education programs.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Reproductive Rights | Comments Off on “Suddenly, the abstinence-only movement cares about facts?”

DJGLP PUBLISHES “GENDER, SEXUALITY & THE MILITARY”

From the FLP mailbox: “The Duke Journal of Gender Law & Policy is proud to announce the publication of its latest issue, “Gender, Sexuality & the Military.”… “Gender, Sexuality & the Military” explores such timely topics as the exemption of … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Academia, Feminism and Politics, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on DJGLP PUBLISHES “GENDER, SEXUALITY & THE MILITARY”

Susan F. Feiner and Drucilla K. Barker, “The Dickensian World of Micro-Finance: Grameen May Not Be So Good for Women After All”

You can read this interesting essay on microcredit programs here. Below is an excerpt: … The evidence on whether microcredit can empower women is inconclusive. According to the World Bank, because microcredit gives women more control over household assets and … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Susan F. Feiner and Drucilla K. Barker, “The Dickensian World of Micro-Finance: Grameen May Not Be So Good for Women After All”

Same-Sex Marriage Debate in New York

Yesterday, the New York State Assembly passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage by a wide margin (i.e., 85-61).   That bill is now expected by all to go off to the New York State Senate to die. Nonetheless, the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Same-Sex Marriage Debate in New York

Who’s Afraid of the Big Gay Bomb?

According to this report  from the local CBS affiliate in San Francisco,  an Air Force lab in Ohio proposed in 1994 that the Defense Department develop a “Gay Bomb,” a hormonal weapon  intended to  “turn” all enemy soldiers into homosexuals … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Feminism and Technology, LGBT Rights | Comments Off on Who’s Afraid of the Big Gay Bomb?

Victoria Springer, “Reason, Resources, and Wrongful Life: Using Social Psychological Models of Health and Evolutionary Theory to Assess Behavioral Claims in Wrongful Life Litigation”

Here is the abstract: The central behavioral claim in Wrongful Life actions is that a mother would have chosen to have a therapeutic abortion rather than given birth to a severely impaired child. Wrongful Life actions are brought by or … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Reproductive Rights | Comments Off on Victoria Springer, “Reason, Resources, and Wrongful Life: Using Social Psychological Models of Health and Evolutionary Theory to Assess Behavioral Claims in Wrongful Life Litigation”

“…you can use sex to sell jewelry and cars, but you can’t use sex to sell condoms.”

That’s the title of a post I have up at Prawfsblawg, where I am guesting through the end of this week. Happy to read responses here, there, or anywhere; a focus on issues rather than scathing personal attacks is always … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Reproductive Rights | Comments Off on “…you can use sex to sell jewelry and cars, but you can’t use sex to sell condoms.”

Studies: Having daughters changes men

The USA Today article of this title is available here. Below is an excerpt: … In a study completed last month, a Yale researcher found that male congressmen with daughters are more likely to support women’s issues than those without … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Studies: Having daughters changes men

“Victory” in Massachusetts?

In the words of Governor Deval Patrick,”[i]n Massachusetts today, the freedom to marry is secure.”(Click here  for the NY Times story.) The Massachusetts legislature today rejected, by a margin of only five votes, a proposal to place a constitutional amendment … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Feminist Legal Scholarship | Comments Off on “Victory” in Massachusetts?

Politics As Usual: He’s A “Stud” While She “Works The Pole.”

This is a photograph of possible ’08 Presidential candidate Fred Thompson with his spouse, Jeri Kehn: See also. The New York Post has referred to Kehn as Thompson’s “Babe Wife.” This article also observed: “Kehn scored a coup in convincing … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on Politics As Usual: He’s A “Stud” While She “Works The Pole.”

“Writing for Their Rights”

From On the Media: In Gwalior, India, women with no journalistic training, and often no education, are writing about their grievances in the newspaper Mahila Paksh. New Delhi-based reporter Mridu Khullar says their reporting has led to extraordinary changes. Read … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sexism in the Media, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on “Writing for Their Rights”

Where’s (Either) Mommy?

On Wednesday, May 23, 2007, Mary Cheney and her partner of 15 years, Heather Poe,  welcomed their son,  Samuel David Cheney, into their lives.   Ms. Cheney and Ms. Poe are notably absent from  an official  White House photo (above) … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Where’s (Either) Mommy?

Anita Bernstein, “Tort Theory, Microfinance, and Gender Equality Convergent in Pecuniary Reparations”

Here is the abstract: Governments around the world have undertaken reparations programs following historically recent experiences of serious human rights violations. This chapter uses tort theory to defend monetary payments as a constituent of national repair. It argues that paying … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Feminist Legal Scholarship, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Anita Bernstein, “Tort Theory, Microfinance, and Gender Equality Convergent in Pecuniary Reparations”

Mothers, Daughters and Sisters

On Memorial Day weekend, CBS devoted its news show 60 Minutes to a story about Iowa soldiers in Iraq entitled Fathers, Sons and Brothers. Reporter Scott Pelley has followed the 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry of the Iowa National … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on Mothers, Daughters and Sisters

Reproductive Rights and Pride

On the role of lesbians in the pro-choice movement, FeministLawProf Pamela Bridgewater wrote in “Transforming Silence: The Personal, Political, and Pedagogical Prism of Abortion Narrative:” [W]hile straight women tend to question the lesbian presence in the reproductive rights movement, I … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Reproductive Rights | Comments Off on Reproductive Rights and Pride

Complicated International Child Custody Case

I don’t know anything at all about the specifics or merits of this case, but Heart at Women’s Space/The Margins has been blogging about it and doing other sorts of activism as well. Read her post and see if you … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Complicated International Child Custody Case

Cindy Sheehan’s Memorial Day Message

Read it here. Below is an excerpt: … I have come to some heartbreaking conclusions this Memorial Day Morning. These are not spur of the moment reflections, but things I have been meditating on for about a year now. The … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on Cindy Sheehan’s Memorial Day Message

Women In Algeria

Interesting (if somewhat confusing in places) NYT article here. Below is an excerpt: … Women make up 70 percent of Algeria’s lawyers and 60 percent of its judges. Women dominate medicine. Increasingly, women contribute more to household income than men. … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | Comments Off on Women In Algeria

MALALAI JOYA OUSTED BY AFGHAN PARLIAMENT

Heart has an account at Women’s Space/The Margins. More information from Sonali Kolhatkar at WIMN’s Voices. Here is an excerpt from Kolhatkar’s piece: … In February 2006, my non-profit organization, Afghan Women’s Mission, sponsored a US tour for her. Malalai … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Law, Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations | 3 Comments

A judge in Suffolk County Superior Court (in Boston) ruled that same-sex couples from New York who married in Massachusetts from May 2004 to July 2006 have a legally recognized marriage.

NYT account here. Overview by GLAD here.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on A judge in Suffolk County Superior Court (in Boston) ruled that same-sex couples from New York who married in Massachusetts from May 2004 to July 2006 have a legally recognized marriage.

Do You Have What It Takes To Become A Firefighter?

What is the best answer to this question taken from an FDNY qualifying exam? While operating at a fire, Capt. Green, the commander of the Ladder Company 999, was sent by Chief Brown to locate the exact location of the … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Chutes and Ladders, Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on Do You Have What It Takes To Become A Firefighter?

Katha Pollitt, “‘Democracy’ Is Hell”

Here is an excerpt from Katha Pollitt’s new essay at The Nation: … Women’s status was never as high under Saddam as opponents of the war sometimes asserted, and it was already declining throughout the 1990s, as Saddam embraced Islam … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Acts of Violence, Feminism and Politics, Sisters In Other Nations, Women's Health | Comments Off on Katha Pollitt, “‘Democracy’ Is Hell”

“Larry Flynt: The Right To Be Left Alone”

Text of this post from this protest site: …This latest documentary on Flynt has just been released as the “center frame” film at the Full Frame Documentary Festival, sponsored by Duke University, The New York Times and HBO. There were … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Culture, Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on “Larry Flynt: The Right To Be Left Alone”

On Ireland, Women and Peace: Éire Mná Sióchain

The mainstream press has carried several news reports, like this one  from the NY Times,  of the formal establishment of a “power sharing” government in Northern Ireland.   Women’s role in the peace process is very rarely mentioned, if at … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on On Ireland, Women and Peace: Éire Mná Sióchain

Not Funny, Part 12,567

From here and here.

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics, Sexism in the Media | Comments Off on Not Funny, Part 12,567

“From Poverty to Prosperity: A National Strategy to Cut Poverty in Half”

From the Center for American Progress: Thirty-seven million Americans live below the official poverty line. Millions more struggle each month to pay for basic necessities, or run out of savings when they lose their jobs or face health emergencies. Poverty … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on “From Poverty to Prosperity: A National Strategy to Cut Poverty in Half”

NOW says “Tell the Media: Stop Sexist Campaign Coverage”

From an e-mail from the NOW National Action Center: The media are up to their old tricks. One of their favorite pastimes is judging presidential candidates on superficial traits:like their hair or weight:rather than their positions on important issues. A … Continue reading

Share
Posted in Feminism and Politics | Comments Off on NOW says “Tell the Media: Stop Sexist Campaign Coverage”