EqualityQuilt

Buzzworthy - Time to Play Catch-up, Y'all.

Hello avid readers,

I know I've been a little tardy with the Friday Buzzworthy posts.  If you're like me, you don't have much time during the week to keep up on all the local and national news.  So I've wrangled up some of the most buzzworthy headlines of the week for your reading convenience.  Some are infuriating, some are inspiring.  But they're all worth a quick read - and you'll have something to chat about next time you get caught in a watercooler huddle, or an awkward dinner party.  

 

Ready?  Here we go:

 

Trayvon Martin's death is an LGBT issue, and here's why.  

In kind-of related news, a young man in North Minneapolis was shot to death Monday night for his bike.  While delivering a plate of lasagna to a home-bound neighbor.  My grandma says "don't hate the gun, hate the shooter."  Know what I say?  That's what those guys said, till they shot somebody.  PS - Minnesota almost just had it's own "Shoot First" bill pass - thanks to Gov. Dayton, we dodged that bullet last week.  This time.

Hillary Clinton rules the school.  She's so cool she made a meme about herself.  Mind - officially blown.

Teen pregnancy is at an all-time low.  But wait! Surprise!  It's still pretty common in states that still enforce archaic, denial-steeped abstinence-only sex ed policies.

Too much of a good thing? 1/4 mammomograms may be "overdiagnosing" breast cancer.  Yikes!

 

 

Don't get too comfy over there - the War on Women is totally still happening.  Especially in Arizona.

Democratic political commentator Hilary Rosen made the "mistake" of revealing GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's wife Ann's lack of work-force experience on TV the other night.  

 

While everything she said is pretty much true, her indiscretion is causing an uproar evocative of the "Mommy Wars" of the '80s and '90s.  My two cents?  There's a huge difference between being an average American mom and being a wealthy white politician's wife who has the privilege of not having to worry about providing an income for her family.

PS - If the work of stay-at-home-moms is so valuable to you (like it is to me), how 'bout you legislate it?

Ashley Judd spoke out on TV and in the press after being slammed by the media for having a "puffy face" - striking up speculation that she'd either gained weight (oh noes!) or had "work done" (mind yer own beeswax, anyway).  

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 

Here's the fantabulous essay she wrote for The Daily Beast speaking out against the cultural attitudes toward women that make our bodies the object of constant public ridicule.  Read more about what kind of an impact this role model's action this week is having on women here.

 

That's gonna wrap it up from the MWC this afternoon.  I'm gonna go get my Friday on.  Be safe and super-smart this weekend, folks.

-Trisha

White Dudes Can’t BeatBox and Blowjob Shots Dehumanize Women: The Sad Truth About The Shout House(!)

You know how sometimes you’re forced to participate in something that you just know is going to be terrible? Say, like me, you have to go to your butch-identified partner’s brother’s fiancée’s bachelorette party. As a queer person, I already feel pretty alienated by this stuff. I honestly can’t even fathom how someone who transgresses conventional gender norms might feel under these circumstances. But, generally, we act excited and participate with requisite smiles plastered on our faces, all for the sake of keeping the peace with the extended family.

Last weekend, though, I knew I was going to be in over my head. We had rented a limo, eaten our weight in catered tacos and frozen strawberry margaritas, and the sister of the bride had planned what was allegedly going to be a “sexy night out on the town” for myself, my partner, the bride, and a handful of her friends. When I found out we were headed to The Shout House! in downtown Minneapolis, my heart sank. I had never been inside the “Dueling Piano Bar!” but I had a hunch that it was going to be the kind of fun that only privileged whitefolks with plenty of money and low levels of social consciousness would truly be able to enjoy.

Monday Member Spotlight: Life-Work Planning Center (Mankato)

Monday Member Spotlight: Life-Work Planning Center (Mankato)

Who They Are

Executive Director Jean Willaert and Fiscal Manager Laurie Wiebesiek work alongside counselors Jill Hahn, Christine Olson, and Maritza Navarro to provide transitional and pre-employment services for women.

Their Mission

To increase the self-sufficiency of women and their families.

What They Do

The LWPC serves women in transition, including Displaced Homemakers; Non-Displaced Homemakers; Latina Women and Youth; and Women transitioning from Welfare to Work.  The organization provides a supportive environment where women can gain pre-employment skills, participate in workshops, peer counseling, computer tutoring.  They also offer resources, referrals and advocacy for clients.

Find out more about the Life-Work Planning Center by visiting their website.

Friday Highlights: What You Might Have Missed This Week

"Pregnancy Centers Come Under Fire for Abortion Info"

NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota released a report this week which chronicled the types of information given to women who seek help at crisis pregnancy centers. Get the full story from the Star Tribune.

"Birth Control for Men?"

Ms. Magazine's blog takes another look at what new birth control methods developed for men might look like. For the full story see the Ms. Magazine Blog.

"Duluth Joins Campaign to Defeat the Marriage Amendment"

The Duluth City Council just announced they voted to formally oppose the Marriage Amendment which will appear on the ballot in November. Check out MNUnited.org or the Duluth News Tribune for more information.

"Taboos Undercut Nepal's Marital Rape Law"

Some women in Nepal are trying to figure out how to handle marital rape and domestic violence. Get the full story at WomensENews.org.

"Pittsburgh's Milk Truck Breaks for Nursing Moms"

A new organization is blooming in Pittsburgh. Figure out why it might soon be easier to breastfeed on the streets from WomensENews.

Peace and Safety Everywhere: Bluff Country Family Resources

Celebration 32 is getting ever closer! Today, check out Bluff Country Family Resources, the 2012 Peace and Safety Everywhere honoree.

Bluff Country Family Resources provides help to survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual violence, stalking, and homelessness. BCFR is located in Hokah, MN and is one of the few resources of its kind available to rural Minnesotans. They provide a 24 hour crisis line, legal advocacy, and emergency shelter (among many other services) - making BCFR an indispensable organization.

Congratulations Bluff Country Family Resources! We look forward to honoring you at Celebration 32!

For more information on BCFR click here.

Monday Member Spotlight: Life-Work Planning Center

Life-Work Planning Center is a Minnesota pre-employment program for women and a Minnesota Displaced Homemaker Program. They are one of the six components within the Displaced Homemaker Program of the state of Minnesota, originally designed to meet the personal, financial, and employment needs of displaced homemakers.

As a rural-based regional effort, Life-Work Planning Center provides assistance and support to individuals who want and/or need to enter or re-enter the job market. Clients help to develop their own action plans and participate in a combination of workshops, support groups, and one-to-one peer counseling sessions. Many of their services include workshops, one-to-one peer counseling, computer tutoring, resources and referrals, and advocacy. They provide a supportive environment where women can explore career and job options, build self-esteem, acquire confidence to make decisions, set goals, and become self-sufficient.

Life-Work Planning Center serves women in transition including displaced homemakers, non-displace homemakers, Latina women and youth, teen and young moms, and women transitioning from welfare to work in Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, LeSueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan counties.

Click here for more information on Life-Work Planning Center.

Buzz

It’s been quite the week here in Minnesota. Between a government shutdown and weather that makes us all melt, here’s what you may have missed for women in the news…

1. Map highlights disparities in men’s ad women’s health RIGHT HERE in Minnesota. 
2. Big victory for marriage equality: New York becomes the largest state to allow gay marriage!
   And NYTimes dedicates face time to same-sex couples’ announcements on “State of the Unions.”
3. Forbes announces the “Top 100 Websites for Women 2011” to keep us all connected with the happenings of our movement.
4. Norway claims that working women are the key to Scandinavian prosperity.
5. What’s life without a little risqué? Slut walks sweep the nation.
6. Christine LaGarde (France) becomes the first woman to head the International Monetary Fund.
7. Monday was National HIV/AIDS Testing Day. Studies show that some communities are still far more affected than others here in the US.
8. Still following Strauss-Kahn in his proceedings on sexual assault of a hotel staffer in NYC? His newest bogus defense against the accusations: “She’s a liar.”

 

Buzz

Been busy this week? Having a hard time keeping up with the ways of the world?

Don’t worry!

We’re starting a new feature on Equality Quilt to keep you posted on what has been happening for women around the world.

1. Minneapolis, MN - Keith Ellison channels his feminist side
2. Washington, DC – The Supreme Court denied women the right come together in a class action suit on workplace discrimination
3. Cuts in Federal funding pull the plug on several MN Planned Parenthood locations
4. St. Paul, MN – Non-profits around the state brace themselves for potential government shutdown
5. New York, NY – The drama of Dominique Strauss-Kahn (and impact on international sex crime accusations) rolls on
6. Washington, DC – The ERA bill makes a comeback
7. Saudi Arabia –  Saudi women get behind the wheel 
8. Washington, DC - The GOP brought women into the spotlight with Michele Bachman and other pro-Woman congresswomen
9. USA – What the health is happening to female life expectancy?
10. Minneapolis, MN - It’s not just Ke$ha seeing glitter on the floor 

Official College Feminists Connect Launch

The date is set... the College Feminists Connect site will officially launch on September 17, Noon, at the Minnesota State University-Moorhead's Women's Studies Program Colloquium on Moorhead's campus.

College Feminists Connect is an online space where feminist students, faculty, and alumni across Minnesota colleges and universities can connect, share resources, and network. The site will be student-run, faculty-supported, and will offer a safe space for open dialogue and discussion of what it means to be a feminist on a college campus today.

A few of the benefits of participating in CFC include:

• Networking opportunities with Minnesota non-profits, specifically Consortium group members
• Easy access to local volunteer and internship opportunities via the Internship tab
• Stay updated on campus women's centers and departments activities
• Opportunities to share stories of successful events and speakers
• Opportunity for alumni and feminist professionals to connect and enter into dialogue with current feminist students

Check out the site here: www.collegefeministsconnect.org.

For more information or to get involved, email intern@mnwomen.org.

Hockey & Eternal Vigilance

A good case study of how the Consortium helps.   A month ago, smart hockey mom Beth from Willmar contacted us.  She had been talking with Minnesota Hockey about unequal treatment of girls in her community.  Among other concerns, the girls' team received 1 hour of ice time at the local arena while the boys' team received 1.5 hours.   When Beth's concerns were not addressed at the regional level, she spoke with the Rules Committee of the statewide organization.  They agreed to take up the matter in the form of bylaws and rules changes at a July meeting in St. Cloud.

Beth was not able to attend the St Cloud meeting. When she contacted the Consortium, we created an ad hoc email list which discussed this, including 7 Consortium member organizations and 3 individual experts like Rep. Phyllis Kahn, chief author of the state law on equal opportunity in athletics.  In the end, however, Consortium staffer Bonnie (that's me) was the only one who could be there for the MN Hockey board meeting that Sunday morning at 8:30AM... There is good news, and not-so-perfect news.