Misogyny and Sexism in the News

[Soon]

Vatican: Ordination Of Women A 'Grave Crime'


/snip

One new element included lists the attempted ordination of women as a "grave crime" subject to the same set of procedures and punishments meted out for sex abuse.

That drew immediate criticism from women's ordination groups, who said making a moral equivalent between women priests and child rapists was offensive.

[Soon]

Canada Bans Pam's PETA Ad

Officials claim it's sexist


(NEWSER) – Pamela Anderson managed to get her PETA ad banned in Canada without even going naked. She was in Montreal to unveil the pro-vegetarian ad, in which she wears a bikini while marked up like a piece of meat, but officials denied the event a permit because, they say, the ad is sexist. One official attempts to explain: “It is not so much controversial, as it goes against all principles public organizations are fighting for in the everlasting battle of equality between men and women.”

Read more: http://www.newser.com/story/95729/ca...#ixzz0u3BcM2m4

[Stearns]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

Vatican: Ordination Of Women A 'Grave Crime'


/snip

One new element included lists the attempted ordination of women as a "grave crime" subject to the same set of procedures and punishments meted out for sex abuse.

That drew immediate criticism from women's ordination groups, who said making a moral equivalent between women priests and child rapists was offensive.

I suppose they'll just get transferred, then, as that's how they "punish" priests who sexually abuse kids. Transfer 'em.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

Heather Reisman spearheads 11th-hour bid to save Iranian woman from stoning

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

www.freesakineh.org

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

Done.. only takes a few seconds. This is so insane! looking at violence against women globally is so important.

Thanks for posting this, SOON.

It was commuted, but now she needs to worry about hanging.

Below is a petition to stop all stonings. Everyone please consider signing this one, as well.

There are 15 people awaiting execution by stoning. 13 of them are for convictions of adultery. 12 females and 1 male.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_stoning/?rc=fb

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

Vatican: Ordination Of Women A 'Grave Crime'


/snip

One new element included lists the attempted ordination of women as a "grave crime" subject to the same set of procedures and punishments meted out for sex abuse.

That drew immediate criticism from women's ordination groups, who said making a moral equivalent between women priests and child rapists was offensive.

Yeppers, offensive! Straight from centuries of patriarchy in the Catholic Church. Sometimes, it is really hard for me as an ex-Catholic to see this stuff. There were some good things in my life as such, but, this is so ugly!! There are times that I will go to a Mass, usually something like an outdoor service at the grotto in Portland or Yosemite, maybe at a Newman Center parish. There are still rituals that can give me some peace (if I leave the garbage behind). But, then I see things like this and all of the child sexual abuse cases and priests just being transferred along with women not being able to be ordained priests, and I go bonkers. Just bonkers!! It is hard to be someone that seeks spiritual grace in a world like this!! No matter what one does to find some kind of sane spiritual path!!

[The_Lady_Snow]

Policing Female Masculinity: Much Ado About Rachel Maddow’s Yearbook Photo!



http://www.autostraddle.com/policing...-gender-52441/

[Soon]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

Policing Female Masculinity: Much Ado About Rachel Maddow’s Yearbook Photo!



http://www.autostraddle.com/policing...-gender-52441/

That was a great article that covered so much of how EVEN TODAY (or moreso today?) women's gender/presentation is policed.

thank you for sharing it (even though i'm steamed!)

[BullDog]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

Policing Female Masculinity: Much Ado About Rachel Maddow’s Yearbook Photo!



http://www.autostraddle.com/policing...-gender-52441/

Yes, this is a great article. Young, blonde and thin and you are "tappable." Masculine female- no. Hah, that's one of my favorite butch advantages- that I don't get a lot of unwelcome attention from males. Other lesbian/queer females do not always have that same luxury.

We see here the same type of catty comments as with Cynthia Nixon's partner.

The article does a great job discussing how female appearance and sexuality is policed via heteronormative standards and the deep anxiety over female masculinity in our culture.

In the words of Rachel Maddow:

“I’m not Anchorbabe, and I’m never going to be. My goal is to do the physical appearance stuff in such a way that it is not comment-worthy.”

Sorry world, we are not your babes.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by BullDog

Yes, this is a great article. Young, blonde and thin and you are "tappable." Masculine female- no. Hah, that's one of my favorite butch advantages- that I don't get a lot of unwelcome attention from males. Other lesbian/queer females do not always have that same luxury.

We see here the same type of catty comments as with Cynthia Nixon's partner.

The article does a great job discussing how female appearance and sexuality is policed via heteronormative standards and the deep anxiety over female masculinity in our culture.

In the words of Rachel Maddow:

“I’m not Anchorbabe, and I’m never going to be. My goal is to do the physical appearance stuff in such a way that it is not comment-worthy.”

Sorry world, we are not your babes.

Thanks, Bully! Rachael RAWKS!

Did you catch her in a veil in Afghanistan for her special? Quite a nice swagger goin' on below that darn veil in her chinos! Loved it. Also was glad she respected customs- that had to be hard for her to dawn!!! I cracked up because it reminded me so of myself back when in prom gowns, etc. I always looked like I was in drag!

I really appreciate Maddow's presentation of female masculinity. It has to be hard at times with her show and bosses, etc. even with enlightenment- it is national TV media. Another time while watching her show, she got up and walked over to some prop. I also cracked-up then as below the usual kind of gender neutral tops, (probably discussed length prior to her show being aired), she wears, she had on her jeans and boots! Almost seemed like she had an extra twinkle in her eyes as she walked over.. and yup, the swagger!

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

Canada Bans Pam's PETA Ad

Officials claim it's sexist

Ugh, that picture really bothered me.

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

Policing Female Masculinity: Much Ado About Rachel Maddow’s Yearbook Photo!



http://www.autostraddle.com/policing...-gender-52441/

More of the same societal illness that loves Ellen (cuz she seems friendly and not confrontational and is appropriately emotional (uses tears!) at the appropriate moments and is pretty) and hates Rosie (cuz she's loud and opinionated and fat).

[Heart]

Thanks for posting this betenoire:
http://www.autostraddle.com/policing...-gender-52441/

It's not just butches/masculine women/ or queers though -- it's all women who claim power. Think of the reactions to Hillary Clinton. There is always an effort to reduce powerful women to patriarchal standards of desirability.

[Heart]

Dr. Nancy Snyderman begins her comments about Mel Gibson's threats and violence by calling the target of his rage "passive-aggressive," and accusing her of 'baiting" him. Where do they find these so-called experts?

You can read what the Men's Anti-violence Council has to say about this and also click on the link included to see the clip.

I sent a scathing e-mail to the Today Show.

http://mensantiviolencecouncil.com/2...he-today-show/

[Medusa]

Originally Posted by Heart

Dr. Nancy Snyderman begins her comments about Mel Gibson's threats and violence by calling the target of his rage "passive-aggressive," and accusing her of 'baiting" him. Where do they find these so-called experts?

You can read what the Men's Anti-violence Council has to say about this and also click on the link included to see the clip.

I sent a scathing e-mail to the Today Show.

http://mensantiviolencecouncil.com/2...he-today-show/

OMGEE. Was this the interview with 2 Doctors? I was listening to the TV the other morning going to work and heard the news anchor say something about interviewing a psychologist and a Doctor and both of them were women but I just couldnt fucking believe that both of them were going on and on about how Oksana was "passive-aggressive" and "really knew how to push his buttons".

[Heart]

Originally Posted by Medusa

OMGEE. Was this the interview with 2 Doctors? I was listening to the TV the other morning going to work and heard the news anchor say something about interviewing a psychologist and a Doctor and both of them were women but I just couldnt fucking believe that both of them were going on and on about how Oksana was "passive-aggressive" and "really knew how to push his buttons".

This was was with the doctor and with a Westchester ex district attorney, Janine Pirro, known for prosecuting batterers, (but better known for her husband's shady real estate deals, of course). Pirro tried to counter what Snyderman was saying. You can see the clip if you click on the article I linked.

[Stearns]

Originally Posted by Heart

Dr. Nancy Snyderman begins her comments about Mel Gibson's threats and violence by calling the target of his rage "passive-aggressive," and accusing her of 'baiting" him. Where do they find these so-called experts?

You can read what the Men's Anti-violence Council has to say about this and also click on the link included to see the clip.

I sent a scathing e-mail to the Today Show.

http://mensantiviolencecouncil.com/2...he-today-show/

I also sent a scathing e-mail to the Today Show/NBC for their irresponsibility and for potentially placing battered women in even more jeopardy. I also e-mailed the editor of Good Housekeeping, suggesting that the magazine find another female doctor to contribute health columns, as Nancy Snyderman is obviously no friend to women. I also included the link to the Men's Anti-Violence Council blog.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Heart

Thanks for posting this betenoire:
http://www.autostraddle.com/policing...-gender-52441/

It's not just butches/masculine women/ or queers though -- it's all women who claim power. Think of the reactions to Hillary Clinton. There is always an effort to reduce powerful women to patriarchal standards of desirability.

So very true!

[Greyson]

Here is some good news. I had no idea Geena Davis founded this non-profit institute addressing Gender In The Media. She was recently appointed to the State of California's Womens Commission.

After you read the article, go check out her "Gender In The Media" site.

http://www.thegeenadavisinstitute.org/

______________________________________________



http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalert...nts-geena.html

July 20, 2010

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed actress Geena Davis to the
Commission on the Status of Women.

The Academy Award-winning actress is the founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, which seeks to increase female characters and reduce gender stereotypes in children's programming.

Davis, a Democrat, is known for her roles in dozens of films and television shows, including "Tootsie," "Beetlejuice" and "A League of Their Own."

The position, which pays a $100 per diem, requires Senate confirmation.

[Soon]

Women in Mexico convicted of homicide for abortions

By VANESSA | Published: JULY 23, 2010

The Latin American Herald Tribune brings attention to the reality that exists when abortion is criminalized. Six women are currently serving 25-30 year sentences in Guanajuato, Mexico for having abortions. Their conviction? Homicide.

Reproductive justice organization Centro Las Libres has been working to bring attention to Mexico’s criminalization and incarceration of women in attempts to change laws and free the women who are currently in prison; they’ve been able to release one so far. Via LAHT:

Since the beginning of the decade, more than 40 women have been put on trial for abortion, which is punishable by up to three years in prison under the Guanajuato penal code.

“The government always has denied that it imprisoned people for the crime of abortion. We had to go from prison to prison to verify it,” said the Centro Las Libres director.

The legislation regarding abortion varies in Mexico’s 32 separate jurisdictions. While in Mexico City it is legal, some states continue to treat abortion as a criminal offense.

Even so, federal law includes some circumstances under which any woman, regardless of where she may live, can have an abortion, namely in the case of rape or risk to her life because of the pregnancy.

On top of that, what’s worth mentioning is that the conservative-led state of Guanajuato — while having the highest rate of teen pregnancy in Mexico — still refuses to allow sex education in its schools.

h/t to MAC.

[Corkey]

Dear Corkey

We are thrilled to report that earlier this week Congress passed the Tribal Law and Order Act as an amendment to H.R. 725, a groundbreaking and long-overdue piece of legislation that tackles violent crime against Native American and Alaska Native women.

A huge thank you to the thousands of Amnesty supporters like you who took action to make this human rights victory possible.

Because of you, Native American and Alaska Native women will no longer be trapped in a mindboggling, jurisdictional maze that allows perpetrators to rape with impunity.

Every Native American and Alaska Native woman will be given the chance to:

get a police response,
have access to a rape kit,
have the opportunity to see her case prosecuted, and
see justice served for crimes committed against her.
Spurred by our hard-hitting 2007 report, Maze of Injustice, Amnesty's millions-strong, global human rights movement has worked tirelessly to ensure this legislation became a reality.

People like you have set the stage for reversing the devastating rate of sexual violence that Native American and Alaska Native women have endured for much too long.

This is what we can accomplish when we work together.

I want to thank you again for all you do. This is a truly amazing victory for women’s human rights and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Thank you,
Rachel and the rest of the Stop Violence Against Women team

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Corkey

Dear Corkey

We are thrilled to report that earlier this week Congress passed the Tribal Law and Order Act as an amendment to H.R. 725, a groundbreaking and long-overdue piece of legislation that tackles violent crime against Native American and Alaska Native women.

A huge thank you to the thousands of Amnesty supporters like you who took action to make this human rights victory possible.

Because of you, Native American and Alaska Native women will no longer be trapped in a mindboggling, jurisdictional maze that allows perpetrators to rape with impunity.

Every Native American and Alaska Native woman will be given the chance to:

get a police response,
have access to a rape kit,
have the opportunity to see her case prosecuted, and
see justice served for crimes committed against her.
Spurred by our hard-hitting 2007 report, Maze of Injustice, Amnesty's millions-strong, global human rights movement has worked tirelessly to ensure this legislation became a reality.

People like you have set the stage for reversing the devastating rate of sexual violence that Native American and Alaska Native women have endured for much too long.

This is what we can accomplish when we work together.

I want to thank you again for all you do. This is a truly amazing victory for women’s human rights and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Thank you,
Rachel and the rest of the Stop Violence Against Women team

Thrilled to see this. Yet, have continued anger about how little awareness and just plain recognition of crimes against Native women in the US! The reservation system is yet, one more white, form of racism that sexisism persists in. It also has served to marginalize Natives in every economic institution we have plus education- a civil rights nightmare. Why is it that the last POC to be discussed in the US race conversations are the first inhabitants? Never fails to amaze me. This system is nothing short of the plantation system (or the more modern day project system) that African Americans endured and continue to deal with across US racial lines. Just keep track of where they are and keep them there and control shall never be lost. What is wrong with us?