I AM Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood was there. Planned Parenthood is there.
So many people misconstrue what Planned Parenthood really is and give them a bad name.
They call them the baby killers. They call it an abortion mill. GOP extremists are threatening to shut.it.down. What are they doing to women's health? They're putting it in their hands. They are putting it in their privileged, patriarchy supporting hands. But what does Planned Parenthood really do? For starters, only 3% of their services are abortion services. Three percent. NINETY SEVEN percent of what they do in unrelated to abortions. They help prevent unintended pregnancies. They test for STIs and cancers. They provide birth control. Many women who cannot afford regular health checkups use PP as their primary. I consider myself lucky to still have insurance under my parents. Many people my age or inn their young adult years do not have insurance. When I no longer can use my health insurance, where will I go? I take birth control to prevent horrible cramping I've had since puberty. I need the birth control pills to keep from being bedridden one week a month. That's 25% of a month that I would be unproductive to society if I couldn't afford my birth control. I'd be off from work, and then make even less. I will turn to Planned Parenthood, if I still can. If the right wing extremists don't make it impossible. I will not stand for attacks on women's health. I will not stand for attacks on my body. I will not stand for attacks on choice.

I AM Planned Parenthood.

I got 99 problems and society's cissexism is one.

Transgenderism and cissexism is a sensitive topic, and I am doing my best to tread on this topic lightly, if anything needs to be corrected, feel free to let me know.

I take for granted my cisgender status every day. My biological sex and my gender identity coalesce into me being a female by societal and biological standards. However, there are those that do not feel at home into the sex that they were born. (Notice I am using the words sex and gender, as they are different concepts). Some people know that they don't fit into the sex unto which they were born and feel that they are of a different gender* Those that are transgender do not suffer from a mental disorder. Gender dysphoria is different than body dysmorphic disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the APA, considers it a mental illness defined by four criteria. However, the DSMV is also the publication which once listed homosexuality as a disease. The APA is behind when it comes to social movement.

As I said, my cisgender status is something I take for granted. I am often not as cognizant of transphobia/cissexism, as I am of homophobia. Tonight, however, I realize how much we have to grow as a society.

Lady Gaga is known for her antics. She is the performer who released her "Judas" video during Lent and the performer who wore a dress made of meat. Tonight, at the 2011 VMAs, Lady Gaga performer her newest single "You and I" dressed as her alter ego, Jo Calderone. Lady Gaga is not transgender, but her performance has opened my eyes to cissexism among society. On the internet, I have read negative comments about women dressed as men. The negative comments towards her are similar to the bullying in which those that are transgender sometimes suffer. This is what got me thinking about the topic of cissexism. RMJ over at Deeply Problematic offers a great explanation of what cissexism is)

Watching the audience in his performance really shines a light on this: there is disgust and shock (however some pure love, as well).

Some of the comments, of the many, on Lady Gaga's performance that disturbed me:

"Justin Bieber is upset that lady gaga is more of a man than he is" First of all, in this sense we should not be saying her. We should say Jo and we should say he.

"What does the REAL Lady Gaga look like? Does anyone know? She's always flanked in meat and now looking like a man. #VMA"

"Lady Gaga is a better looking man than woman. She might want to get that operation......"

"Lady Gaga is one ugly dude!!! He sho can saaaang though!!!"

These comments make me sad, because these are people that don't understand. Those that are cisgender can be cruel, often without realizing it. These comments are most likely intended to be humorous, but they are projecting hate and cissexism. These people feel as though they are superior to those that are transgender or transsexual. Cissexism is a problem in society and we should aim to fix it, even if it means just starting with realizing what we ourselves are saying.


Below is the video of Jo performing "You and I."





Jo Calderone by caseycarlsonx1


*-For those reading and need some clarification on the difference of sex and gender. Sex is the physiological and biological characteristics someone is born with (generally we are born with the chromosomes of XX or XY, unless there is a chromosomal mutation). Gender is the socially constructed roles that are given to men and women.

What The Hell? Moment of The Week 4/24-4/30

Happy 10th anniversary of "Back-Up-Your-Birth-Control" Day!

image courtesy of the Back Up Your Birth Control Campaign

Prevent Kanye's Video Release

Kanye is known as a great artist, both lyrically and with stage presence. He is also known for his controvery, from his Taylor Swift incident to "George Bush hates black people." But what happens when he takes his attitude to his videos? What happens when he expresses misogyny in his music, disseminating his message of male dominance?

This:




Kanye's teaser video for his song "Monster" was leaked recently, causing an outrage among many. Not only does this video objectify women by dressing them in skimpy clothing, but it objectifies women as objects of lust. This video shows West sitting in a room with dead women wrapped in chains. West makes sexual advances towards victims that are clearly dead or under the influence of drugs. Videos like this are seen by children and teens and it can project the image that sex is okay even if the person is drunk or drugged, although consent cannot be given. This is degrading and disgusting and must be stopped.


. Please sign the petition to prevent the release of this video This petition is sponsored by: Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Australia; Collective Shout; Adios Barbie

A Feminist Folly

I started a full time job and let this blog fall by the wayside. So now it's time for another update!

Feminist Video Win

Posted this on facebook a few weeks ago, but it just needs to be here, too.