Apr. 30th, 2010

Online sex-education game from City Health Office in London, Ontario
The characters answer sex knowledge questions and, with correct answers, obtain "protection," but a wrong one gets the player squirted with sperm (I have to assume they actually mean semen) Hee! I'm a fan of silly and educational.

An appropriately angry response to an anti-trans editorial

Exploring Sexuality Education in India

Strict Abortion Measures Enacted in Oklahoma; they're all pretty horrible, but read this closely:
A second measure passed into law on Tuesday prevents women who have had a disabled baby from suing a doctor for withholding information about birth defects while the child was in the womb.
What the fuckety-fuck? In other words, we'll force you to view the ultrasound, but it's fine if your doctor lies to you in order to manipulate your reproductive decisions. Holy shit.

More than six years after California policy makers passed a comprehensive sex education law some schools are still providing outdated, incomplete reproductive health information that shames young people rather than teaches them, according to a new report by California Latinas for Reproductive Justice

Activism is Worth the Effort
In the spring of 2009 I began working to combine my research on bisexuality and bisexual activism, my personal interest in visual arts, and my desire to see more bisexual community in the Bay Area for my MA project. The result of my efforts was a 3 month long exhibition entitled The Bisexual Art Project.

Arizona schools superintendent pushes ban on ethnic studies

Are Prozac and Other Psychiatric Drugs Causing the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America? -- I'm skeptical of the strength of his conclusion based purely on retrospective meta-analysis, but several of his points are sound in relation to the issues as I currently know them, I think he's asking questions that are worth answering, and his recommendations are a lot more sensible than the title of the article would suggest. The book seems to be getting good reviews from reputable sources, and I think I'm interested enough to read it. My family has a long history of mental illness of varying severities, and although I'm very grateful for meds, and have finally found a balance that seems to keep me as stable as I need, if not as stable as would be ideal, I'm generally very conservative about dosages and combinations of meds, and prefer to manage life stresses and support in such a way that I can manage on a minimum of medication. I've been through adding meds to treat side-effects of other meds (also true with the fibro), and all that crap. I think our approach to "best practice" use of medicines has a long way to go in general (and yes, I will yet again recommend Powerful Medicines: The Benefits, Risks, and Costs of Prescription Drugs), and that in terms of psychiatry and psychopharmaceuticals, we're just barely into the 'banging at things with giant mallets' stage. Often better than nothing, but a long, long way to go, and a lot of collateral damage along the way as we try to learn.

Top 10 greatest science fiction detective novels -- Interesting assortment; worth keeping handy for my "to read" list.

Super Surprising Facts About 'Our Enemy' Iran Remind Us That We Don't Know Squat
26 basic questions about Iran with answers that might surprise you.


Despite Violent Attacks on Their Schools, Pakistani's Youngest Students Refuse to Give Up Education
"Militants must be ashamed of targeting children," says one first grader in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
-- Rock on, you badass awesome kids!

Circlet Press has been one of my absolute favorite erotica presses for close to two decades now; SF/F erotica is about as "right up my alley" as can be, and the stories are often fascinating and thought-provoking as well as hot. I just discovered one of the folks on my friends list writes for them, and has posted info about the newest release and an excerpt of his story for the anthology., as well as linking in the comments to another recent collection and excerpt (this collection focuses especially on stories involving genderqueerness -- yay!)

Also in news of awesome, awesome media goodness:
Max Headroom: The Complete Series
is coming to DVD August 10th!!! I saw when I was young enough I barely remember it, but it's the source of my undying fondness for Matt Frewer. I didn't even know until Caleb told me that it actually started in the UK. Now I want to see that version too.

Weather hurts Gulf oil fight; new drilling on hold
The White House put a hold on any new offshore oil projects until the rig disaster that caused the spill is explained. Well, small mercies, I suppose. The whole situation is horrible.
The oil slick could become the nation's worst environmental disaster in decades, threatening to eclipse even the Exxon Valdez in scope. It imperils hundreds of species of fish, birds and other wildlife along the Gulf Coast, one of the world's richest seafood grounds, teeming with shrimp, oysters and other marine life.


Democratic Senate candidates Jennifer Brunner, Lee Fisher offer stark contrast in styles
-- Ohio politics. For those interested, this is a handy guide to the points where they do differ on policy. Overall I support Brunner, personally.

In which guppiecat explains sex to paleoanthropologists...

Cat Care and How Cats are Evil from Cracked. Both hysterical and frighteningly accurate.

eve ensler meets jim henson: "The Vagina Mahnamahnamologues do dooo de cooter" -- really it's just that line. But it makes me giggle a lot.

(VIDEO) A Review Of Orgasm, Inc.: The Strange Science of Female Pleasure (nitpick; in the article the describe off-label prescription/use of medication as "illegal" -- this is not the case)

Underwater River in Mexico (actually hydrogen sulfide) -- Holy crap is that gorgeous and amazing.

The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms -- sounds like an interesting book to add to the "to read" list.

Just because it’s not talked about doesn’t mean it’s not happening: Women, like men, are paying for sex. Here's why.

Another good post on cultural appropriation and one specifically about Sita Sings the Blues

We Have Met the Enemy and He Is PowerPoint

Death at 25: Blogging the end of a life
"We all tend to be open via video, blog or Facebook about what we do every day. It's hardly surprising that openness extends to people's last days or weeks," said Dr. David Cassarett, author of the book "Last Acts," about end-of-life decisions.
These bloggers, Cassarett said, are helping the rest of us through largely uncharted territory.


Flaws found in state child-abuse registries -- These issues remind me a great deal of the multitude of issues with the sex offender lists.

A look at Snopes.com shows rumors about Obama to be more numerous and vicious than the ones about Bush were

WellPoint routinely targets breast cancer patients

Interesting article on the results of research into paying kids for improved academic outcomes

Southworth warned that teaching a student how to properly use contraceptives would be contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor punishable by up to nine months behind bars and a $10,000 fine. He said it would be promoting sex among minors, who are not legally allowed to have sex in Wisconsin. -- *massive headdesk*

Also, without being spoilery, I'm really increasingly pleased with Amy Pond; her way of grasping and stating who the Doctor really _is_ makes me happy and is also a good way of connecting with potentially new audience. I'm up to season 5.4 currently. I don't think it's spoiling to say 2-part cliff-hangers with my personal scariest monsters are not the path to easy sleep when watched at 2:30 in the morning.
Expandintroductory story may be triggering regarding rape )

That really happened. Right here in Ohio. It's a horrific realization to know that someone can refuse you emergency contraception after you've been sexually assaulted. It's like experiencing a violation of your rights all over again.

The Care Act (Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act) has been introduced in the Ohio House. It's designed to ensure that ALL rape survivors have access to EC and medically accurate information. NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio has partnered with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center to host the Day of the Diva on June 13. Day of the Diva is a fabulous brunch event to benefit our work to make sure CARE is passed. We have a wonderful committee working to make the event a success, but we need everyone's help.

Here is where you come in. There are THREE things you can do to support Day of the Diva:

1. Spread the word. Visit the Day of the Diva event page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=117173254962385&ref=ss. Click the Invite People to Come link on the right and invite your entire list of contacts. Include a personal message asking them to do the same. Facebook also has the option to email the invite to people who are not on your FB friends list. It takes only minutes and you are helping a three-person staff reach THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE in a few clicks. Our goal is to get 1,000 FB invitees on the event page. Please click here (LINK) and help promote the event.

2. Land us an awesome raffle item. We're looking for raffle items like gift certificates or merchandise! Ask your friend who makes jewelry, your fave bakery, your stylist, your fitness instructor, bar/restaurant, pet groomer, employer, etc. to donate an item. We make it easy for you: we have a request letter already created for you to print and drop off/email. Please email Rachel at rachel@naralohio.org with the place you want to contact.

3. Attend the event! What better way to support the event than by coming and having a good time! Visit www.dayofthediva.com for ticket info.

Home sick? Laid off? No money? Hate meetings?
Volunteer for the event by making phone calls to local businesses and asking for donations. We're also looking for people who can get donated decorations for the event space. If you are persistent and passionate, this is an easy job for you and we make it even simpler by providing the list and the script. You do the calls at your convenience and report back to NARAL. Folks who help make a ton of calls or get us donations will get into the event for free! Email Rachel and rachel@naralohio.org.

ALL rape survivors deserve CARE. Please help NARAL and CRCC by supporting Day of the Diva.

Maria Miranda
Event Chair
Day of the Diva 2010
NY LGBT Center Launches Handbook for Immigrants

Low-income women's advocates have been trying to repeal the Hyde Amendment for years. Now they have more support, as health reform threatens to extend Medicaid-style abortion restrictions to all U.S. women.

National ID Card Included In Democratic Immigration Bill -- So not a fan.

Desmond Tutu writes about the Arizona law

Lawmakers in the Kansas House have failed to override the governor's veto of a bill regarding late-term abortions.

Baby Reportedly Survives Two Days After Failed Abortion -- 2 days at 22 weeks without medical intervention? I call hoax. And yes, I find it especially suspicious when such things are reported by people who are part of an organization that actively works against abortion rights.

Increased EGFR Levels May be an Early Marker of Breast Cancer

Sex of Baby Determines Response to Pregnancy Stress

Analysis of 40-year-old tape may reveal whether Ohio Guardsmen were ordered to fire on Kent State protesters

A female U.N. police force from Bangladesh is bringing hope of better protection to Haitian women in makeshift camps for those displaced by the earthquake. Women's activists in one camp say it's not enough. They need help urgently.

Trust Women: Documentary film featuring Drs. Hern and Carhart
I thought you might be interested in supporting a documentary film about the work of abortion doctors Hern and Carhart. Here is the filmmakers' description of the project, with a link to offer support. They are half-way to their fundraising goal! Click here to see the story and offer support: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/410786032/trust-women-the-story-of-two-american-abortion-doc
"We are working on a new feature documentary about Dr. Warren Hern and Dr. Leroy Carhart, two of the last doctors in the country who perform late-term abortions.
-- Seriously important stuff; public perception of late-term abortions is so skewed and inaccurate it's unbelievable, and the resulting demonization of these providers can best be fought with truth and information and context.

In New York State, your freedom to choose midwifery care is in jeopardy.
Although midwifery is safe for women and babies, it is limited or even nonexistent in many New York state communities.
Even busy, established practices are at risk because of rising insurance costs, perceived competition with obstetrical practices, and legislative restrictions. New legislation, if passed, would protect and expand midwifery options for New York women.


Keep Abortion Safe and Legal? Yes. Make it Rare? Not the Point. -- The ways in which barriers to access skew statistics about abortion frequency, and assumptions about which directions those numbers should necessarily being going. Rare because of lack of access is not a moral good, in my opinion.

The various forms of religious-based, intimidation-driven censorship and taboo ideas in the U.S. -- what Douthat claims are non-existent except when it involves Muslims -- are too numerous to chronicle. One has to be deeply ignorant, deeply dishonest or consumed with petulant self-victimization and anti-Muslim bigotry to pretend they don't exist.

This is Not an Analysis of Rape Culture. This is a Rant.

Bill Moyers, Giant of Television, Retires

What Happened When I Went Undercover at a Christian Gay-to-Straight Conversion Camp

Fluorescent compounds make tumors glow

This ongoing body of work explores the power dynamics inherent in the questions asked of transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, gender-variant, and/or gender non-conforming people.

Data-driven lives -- makes me feel a bit less odd for my fondness for spreadsheets and self-tracking

Oh. Right. Standing up for sex education, sexuality rights, and sexual freedom can be fucking scary. There’s a reason why we have to stand up for it, and work for it: because it doesn’t exist en mass, because it only exists in small pockets, and because there is an entire system out there trying to keep it shame-based and repressed.

And for the Facebook folks especially:
A SLEW OF NEW FACEBOOK SCHEMES THREATEN USERS' PRIVACY, and EFF has created tools to help Facebook users protect their information. One of the most radical changes is "Instant Personalization," which gives other websites (Yelp, Pandora, and Microsoft Docs, at the moment) personal information from your Facebook profile as soon as you visit their pages. Moreover, even if you opt out of Instant Personalization, your friends can leak information about you unless you block each application individually.
To completely opt out of Instant Personalization:
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/how-opt-out-facebook-s-instant-personalization
For more on Facebook's plans to make your information
public:
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/facebook-further-reduces-control-over-personal-information


“Don’t Call Me Racist,” and Other Arizona Lies

Many liberal blogs, it turns out, were created with platforms to host multiple authors and share attention with guest contributors. Conservative blogs, in contrast, often use technologies highlighting a single author -- while consigning guests to the digital equivalent of a newspaper's classified section. Those are some key findings of a forthcoming study by researchers from Harvard, Yale and Berkeley, "A Tale of Two Blogospheres," which disputes several conventional views of political blogs

Placebo effect beats God, Prozac -- ranty in usual Morford style, but rather relevant to a lot of what I've been posting about recently in various ways.

Montreal is a city with a rich, colourful history when it comes to clubbing. But nothing quite matches the semi-annual pub crawl of the women of Fulford nursing home, under the careful chaperone of the Montreal police force.

AT&T asks government to create national censorwall and system for disconnecting accused infringers

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