Politics

Keeping Score: Texas and Tennessee Push Anti-Trans Bills; Over 100 Women Journalists Are in Prison; Biden and Harris Take Steps to Lower Childcare Costs

PUBLISHED 7/17/2023 by

In every issue of Ms., we track research on our progress in the fight for equality, catalogue can’t-miss quotes from feminist voices and keep tabs on the feminist movement’s many milestones. We’re Keeping Score online, too—in this biweekly roundup.

This week: Vice President Kamala Harris announced new steps to lower the cost of childcare for U.S. families; legislators introduce Abortion Justice Act and Kira Johnson Act in Congress; at least 100 women journalists were in prison during the first quarter of the year, and 47 were harassed or physically assaulted; Supreme Court rules against affirmative action and LGBTQ+ discrimination protections; states target gender-affirming care for minors; New Mexico implements abortion care hotline; FDA approves first over-the-counter birth control pill; EEOC begins accepting charges under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act; Florida, Arkansas and other states dropped thousands of Medicaid recipients since the pandemic; and more.

Indictments Seek to Hold Trump Accountable for Threatening U.S. Democracy and National Security

PUBLISHED 7/14/2023 by

As soon as next month, a grand jury out of Georgia will be tasked to consider charges against former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies for trying to overturn the 2020 election. Already, the Department of Justice has indicted former President Trump with 37 felony counts related to the mishandling of classified documents, obstructing justice, making false statements and conspiring.

“The worst thing you can do for a democracy is just let it slide when people try to do a coup and undermine democracy. That is how democracy dies. It is worth pursuing the fight to keep people accountable under the laws for undermining our democracy,” said Leah Litman, a professor at the University of Michigan Law School, on a recent episode of Ms.’ On the Issues With Michele Goodwin podcast. 

Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation: It’s Time for Women (Statues) to Join Men on the National Mall; Gender-Balanced Legislatures Are Key to Democracy

PUBLISHED 7/14/2023 by

Weekend Reading for Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation. 

This week: Delaware’s General Assembly shows promising signs of change; ranked-choice voting bill introduced in Pennsylvania state legislature; The National Mall has yet to dedicate an independent monument to women, despite recent legislation that was passed to create one; countries with greater peace, reduced military expenditures, and a heightened focus on environmental concerns correlate with more gender diversity in legislatures; and more.

Ms. Global: Taliban’s Leader Says Women Prosper Under His Rule; Singapore Pride Returns; Disabled Women in DR Against Obstetric Violence; Kenyan Workers Forced to Strip in Period Shaming Incident

PUBLISHED 7/7/2023 by and

The U.S. ranks as the 19th most dangerous country for women, 11th in maternal mortality, 30th in closing the gender pay gap, 75th in women’s political representation, and painfully lacks paid family leave and equal access to health care. But Ms. has always understood: Feminist movements around the world hold answers to some of the U.S.’s most intractable problems. Ms. Global is taking note of feminists worldwide.

This time with news from Afghanistan, Peru, India, Colombia, Kenya and more.

‘Stick It’ to the Man!

PUBLISHED 7/7/2023 by

When my next assignment came for a work trip to Florida, I felt deeply conflicted. Saying no and cutting off half the country seemed like an emotional overreaction. Still, I also felt terrible about contributing to a state economy where my tax dollars could be used to fund hateful legislation, control women’s bodies, or ban books. My darling stepkid is exploring gender fluidity; this smart, thoughtful teenager would be having a very different, very dark high school experience if we happened to live in the Sunshine State.

And then I went on Etsy.

Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation: SCOTUS Is ‘Making History for the Wrong Reasons’; America Had More Than One Founding

PUBLISHED 7/7/2023 by and

Weekend Reading for Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation. 

This week: America has far more than just one set of founders; the architects of American democracy were inspired by the system of checks and balances practiced by Indigenous peoples; why the number of women candidates filing to run for office is lower than in recent years; and more.

Celebrate the ERA’s 100th Birthday in Seneca Falls, Where It Was Originally Unveiled

PUBLISHED 7/3/2023 by

The Equal Rights Amendment’s 100th birthday will take place on July 22 at the same historic location that it was originally introduced: the First Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls in New York.

The celebration will include a declaration of shared values and a collective action plan for recognition of the federal ERA and passage of state-level ERAs in the 23 states that do not yet have them. It will also hold a ERA march and rally. Tickets are on sale now.

War on Women: Indiana Supreme Court Upholds Abortion Ban; Trump-Appointed Judge Rejects Tennessee Drag Ban; Supreme Court Guts Affirmative Action

PUBLISHED 7/1/2023 by and

U.S. patriarchal authoritarianism is on the rise, and democracy is on the decline. But day after day, we stay vigilant in our goals to dismantle patriarchy at every turn. The fight is far from over. We are watching, and we refuse to go back. This is the War on Women Report.

This month: Iowa and Indiana abortion bans remain enforceable; LGBTQIA+ online hate and harassment has reached a record high; more women than ever are traveling out of state for abortion access; U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) introduced the Right to Contraception Act; President Biden issued an executive order to strengthen access to affordable, high-quality contraception and family planning services; and more.

Congressional Resolution Condemns Criminalization of Abortion, Contraception and Gender-Affirming Care

PUBLISHED 6/29/2023 by

On Thursday, June 29, Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) introduced a resolution in Congress opposing the criminalization of sexual and reproductive healthcare in states across the country. The resolution criticizes the “the use of State power against people in the United States seeking essential health care” and “State punishment of people for their pregnancy outcomes.”

Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) are introducing companion legislation in the Senate next week.

Queer African Activists Call for Action—But the African Continent Is Not the Only Site in the Global War on Gay Rights

PUBLISHED 6/28/2023 by

While some countries move towards the decriminalization of homosexuality and try to eliminate LGBTQ+ discrimination, some countries have passed harsher legislation harming LGBTQ+ communities, especially targeting the queer youth in those countries. Ms. is highlighting some cases and reflecting on what this means for queer rights in America and globally.