Thursday, March 11, 2010

Top Stories

Media

Apologizing for Ben Roethlisberger

Apologizing for Ben Roethlisberger

by Annie Shields · March 10, 2010

Last Friday, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger became the subject of a police investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct for the second time this year. The alleged victim was hospitalized following the incident, which occurred in the restroom of a college bar in Georgia. When an athlete is accused of sexual assault there’s usually no shortage of voices expressing doubt about the allegations. This case, however, is different. Now that Roethlisberger is at the center of his second sexual ...Read More

Politics

Choosing Abortion in Utah May Be Criminal Act

Choosing Abortion in Utah May Be Criminal Act

by Catherine A. Traywick · March 10, 2010

A controversial bill signed by Utah governor Gary Herbert yesterday has been widely criticized for potentially criminalizing miscarriages–but the real danger of the new law is its potential to criminalize women who have abortions. The “Criminal Homicide and Abortion Amendments” bill defines as homicide the death of a fetus caused by “intentional or knowing” acts by the mother. While it was revised to exempt legal abortion, the state’s existing abortion ban is so restrictive that ...Read More

Health

My Headache and I on the Hill

My Headache and I on the Hill

by Paula Kamen · March 9, 2010

At first glance, the term “Headache on the Hill” may not seem to describe anything unexpected or extraordinary in the daily grind of business in our nation’s capitol. But a few weeks ago, for one day, I witnessed it being used in an entirely different way all over Capitol Hill–with wholehearted enthusiasm and drive, in an actual concerted campaign. I’m referring to the largest lobbying effort to date to urge legislators to finally fund federal research programs on migraine, primarily a women’s disease, ...Read More

Australia + Pacific Islands

Australia’s War on Small Breasts

Australia’s War on Small Breasts

by Catherine A. Traywick · March 7, 2010

As if we small-breasted ladies didn’t have it hard enough. We persevered through adolescences marred by a devastating lack of top-growth, endured comings-of-age minimized by the jabs of our bustier peers and, as adults, find ourselves woefully relegated to Victoria’s Secret’s young teen “Pink” section, from where we covetously eye the perfectly impractical lacy/strappy/barely-there/disgustingly-provocative underthings so accessibly sized for plumper patrons. Since childhood, men, magazines, ...Read More

Family

Wedding Bells Ring for D.C. Lesbian Brides

Wedding Bells Ring for D.C. Lesbian Brides

by Audrey Bilger · March 9, 2010

Marriage equality has come to our nation’s capitol. Starting today, lesbian and gay couples who have obtained marriage licenses will be eligible to walk down the aisle, stand before a justice, or create a ceremony of their choosing to celebrate their legal union. As someone who has been a happily married lesbian wife since 2008 (together since 1996), I know that there’s more to a same-sex wedding than floral arrangements and cake. Whether we want to or not, we carry along with us, metaphorically speaking, ...Read More

Justice

Maryland Slaps Domestic Victims in Face

Maryland Slaps Domestic Victims in Face

by Elizabeth Black · March 9, 2010

A bill that would have made it easier for domestic violence victims to obtain protective orders against their abusers has failed in the Maryland House Judiciary Committee. According to The Washington Post , “H.B. 700 would have brought Maryland into conformance with the practices of every other state in the country.” The bill would have replaced the current Maryland standard that victims must offer “clear and convincing evidence” in order to gain a protective order, rather than a “preponderance ...Read More

Ms.cellany

On the 97th Year Since Harriet Tubman Died

On the 97th Year Since Harriet Tubman Died

by Courtney Young · March 10, 2010

In children’s books, scholarly texts, popular culture and any Black History Month curriculum, Harriet Tubman is a fixture, and rightfully so: Her bravery still astounds. Born a slave in Maryland during 1822, the adolescent Tubman (then Araminta Ross) suffered a blow to ...Read More


We Love: Gloria Steinem (duh!)

We Love: Gloria Steinem (duh!)

by Erica Shultz · March 10, 2010

In an interview this weekend with Patt Morrison in the LA Times, Gloria Steinem said: If I could have one wish for the women’s movement worldwide, it would be to have feminist groups everywhere. We’re communal creatures. We need to gather together once a week ...Read More


Brighten Your Day: Shameless Puppy Photo

Brighten Your Day: Shameless Puppy Photo

by Erica Shultz · March 10, 2010

This cute pup is ready to play in her festive This is What a Feminist Looks Like t-shirt. (Photoshopped? We don’t know what you’re talking about.) Have photos of your pet in funky feminist gear? Send them over to eshultz@msmagazine.com and your special furry ...Read More


More Posts From Ms.cellany

Arts

Mo’Nique, Bigelow + Oscar: Mixed Feelings

Mo’Nique, Bigelow + Oscar: Mixed Feelings

This season’s Academy Awards race, ending with last night’s historic ceremony, was ...


Oscar, I Didn’t Know it Mattered

Oscar, I Didn’t Know it Mattered

When Kathryn Bigelow received an academy award nomination this year for best director ...


More Posts From Arts

Media

Apologizing for Ben Roethlisberger

Apologizing for Ben Roethlisberger

Last Friday, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger became the subject of ...


Can Feminists Applaud Lost’s Final Season?

Can Feminists Applaud Lost’s Final Season?

Lost has raised some feminist hackles in past seasons, including my own. (For readers ...


More Posts From Media

Health

My Headache and I on the Hill

My Headache and I on the Hill

At first glance, the term “Headache on the Hill” may not seem to describe anything ...


Eating Disorders Are Not “About Control”

Eating Disorders Are Not “About Control”

Aren’t eating disorders about control? I’ve lost count of the times people have said ...


More Posts From Health

Life

Wedding Bells Ring for D.C. Lesbian Brides

Wedding Bells Ring for D.C. Lesbian Brides

Marriage equality has come to our nation’s capitol. Starting today, lesbian and ...


Dispatches from Guyland

Dispatches from Guyland

Twenty-five years ago, when I would ask the students in my classes who planned to have ...


More Posts From Life