moominmuppet

I was commenting to my partner and others that this weekend and being involved in the setup and support has really caused a huge jump in my overall sense of comfort and connection with the community. There's nothing like working with people during stressful times to create that, and it's something I enjoy immensely regardless of which of my communities it's happening in. I was also thinking about why this is a community that feels like "home" to me...

Although I certainly wasn't everywhere, and no community is perfect, I did not once this weekend hear sexist comments in my vicinity. I didn't hear body-shaming, or pressure for gender conformity, or kink-shaming. Negotiation and awareness of active consent were all around me, not just for scenes, but in general interactions, and I LOVE that. In general, I think the awareness of the variety of sexualities helps us remember how different we all are in so many ways, and provides frameworks for appreciating that rather than trying to minimize it. The awareness of need for aftercare for things like event drop, not just direct play-related drop, is something more communities need, too.

I also felt clearly recognized and deeply affirmed many times over, and appreciated the opportunity to comfortably flirt, explore, and enjoy others' sexual energy while I continue to get to know people. I got to show off a bit, and be seen at my best, most in my element, and that's always fun. I had more excellent conversations that I can count, and that's priceless to me. Despite the physical and psychological stress of the work, this has been such a profound spiritual holiday for me, for all those reasons.

Edit to add: Can't believe I forgot to mention all the new things I learned, and potential new kinks I got titillated with! I got to watch some excellent educators in action, see various forms of play I haven't before. That was all wonderfully stimulating in a multitude of ways, and has left my brain so full of chewy thinky-thoughts to play with.

In early May of this year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) invited members of the public to submit written comments on any issues or matters discussed at their hearing on Wellness Programs. "Employers may want to take this opportunity to tell the EEOC why they believe these programs are important to the efficient operation of their businesses," advised an alert by law firm Jackson Lewis LLP.

Through efforts initiated by NAAFA member Darliene Howell, NAAFA members, as well as other organizations and members of our community, rose to the occasion and submitted written comments regarding the lack of effectiveness of wellness programs that focus on weight loss as a measure of success. You may read the final document submitted by the community wide efforts at: http://tinyurl.com/nyn4xkp The NAAFA board of Directors sent the following letter to the EEOC:

To: Commissionmeetingcomments@eeoc.gov.
From: NAAFA

Sirs:

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the meeting of May 8, 2013 - Wellness Programs Under Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.

NAAFA, a civil rights organization working for equality at every size, objects to some of the wellness programs currently being instituted by employers. Our objection is not with employers offering wellness programs; it is with those whose wellness programs include punitive measures or differential rewards based on health status factors, including a person's cholesterol, blood pressure, weight or body mass index. Body size or weight is not a proxy for health or wellness. These programs are discriminatory practices.

Because weight loss efforts (from dietary restriction [Tomiyama, et al, 2010] [Mann, et al, 2007] [McTiernan, et al, 2004] to surgical intervention [Shankar, et al, 2010] [Himpens, et al, 2011] [Derogar, et al, 2013]) carry significant health risks and may be complicated by medication [Fernstrom, 1995] or other conditions, the decision to attempt weight loss is a private one that should only be made in consultation with one's personal physician. Wellness programs should never require the use of BMI or other measures of weight as a required metric for that reason; to the extent that a measurement of weight is used, alternate measures that are independent of weight must also be used to avoid disproportionately discriminating against fat people with disabilities by what will be a de facto requirement that they disclose personal and confidential medical information or, alternatively, attempt medical interventions that are dangerous for them compared to their thin counterparts.

A 2002 study, Evaluating a 'non-diet' wellness intervention for improvement of metabolic fitness, psychological well-being and eating and activity behaviors, whose objective was "to evaluate the effects of a 'health-centered' non-diet wellness program, and to compare this program to a traditional 'weight loss-centered' diet program;" concluded:

"Over a 1 y[ear] period, a diet approach results in weight loss for those who complete the intervention, while a non-diet approach does not. However, a non-diet approach can produce similar improvements in metabolic fitness, psychology and eating behavior, while at the same time effectively minimizing the attrition common in diet programs." [Emphasis added]

Studies indicate that dieting results in one third to two thirds of dieters regaining more weight than they lost on their diets (aka yoyo dieting) [Mann, 2007 and Pietilainen, 2012]; yoyo dieting has a negative effect on the immune function [Hutchison, 2004].

The 2013 study, Wellness Incentives In The Workplace: Cost Savings Through Cost Shifting To Unhealthy Workers [Horwitz, et al, 2013], states "Recognizing the risk that unhealthy employees might be punished rather than helped by such programs, the [Afforable Care] act also forbids health-based discrimination." Additionally, it finds: "Although there may be other valid reasons, beyond lowering costs, to institute workplace wellness programs, we found little evidence that such programs can easily save costs through health improvement without being discriminatory. Our evidence suggests that savings to employers may come from cost shifting, with the most vulnerable employees--those from lower socioeconomic strata with the most health risks--probably bearing greater costs that in effect subsidize their healthier colleagues." [Emphasis added]

For supersize individuals at the highest end of the weight spectrum who are disabled by their weight, protections under the ADA are now clear via both court decisions and EEOC guidance. To avoid blatant discrimination, all Wellness Programs must have a mechanism to accommodate such individuals so that they have the same ability to earn discounts and avoid penalties as their thin peers. A Wellness Program that allows (or requires) a person to walk a daily mile to earn a bonus (or avoid a penalty) would clearly violate the rights of a person with a disability who could not walk, and this remains true even if the disabled individual might be able to walk in the future if they engage in Herculean efforts. So, too, the requirement that a supersize person who is disabled by their weight achieve a "normal"/target BMI to earn a bonus (or avoid a penalty) would violate his/her rights, even if he/she might be able to do so via Herculean efforts.

NAAFA supports the evidence-based principles of Health At Every Size (HAES). These principles are aligned with our mission. Instead of focusing on weight as a measurement of health, the HAES approach removes weight from the equation and replaces it with a focus on overall well-being, which includes the full range of body shapes and sizes. For information on HAES principles, go to http://www.naafaonline.com/dev2/education/haes.html

As representatives of one of the major stakeholders involved, NAAFA members and the NAAFA Board of Directors support a thorough examination of the rules guiding employer wellness programs to ensure that they are not promoting discriminatory hiring and employment practices.

We appreciate the willingness of the EEOC to listen to the concerns of the public, and NAAFA is offering its assistance in referring experts who may be of service to you in finding health-based alternative wellness programs.

Sincerely,
The NAAFA Board of Directors

Alternet: Poor Kids Booted from Their Preschool Programs Thanks to Sequestration

Feministing: Republican Senator Rob Portman changes his mind on marriage equality because of his gay son -- Holy crap, I actually have a reason to feel proud of my republican Senator! It doesn't change all the other things we disagree on (vehemently), but it does make me feel more warmly toward him as a human being and a father. Sure, he didn't "get it" til it really hit home, but at least when it did hit home he took the loving and honorable path. I respect that.
ONTD_Political: Conservatives Target Rob Portman’s Gay Son For ‘Harmful Choices’ That Will ‘Kill Him From AIDS’ -- And, of course, here comes the asshole brigade.

WashingtonPost: Scott Prouty, recorder of ‘47 percent’ video: An unlikely political gadfly

WashingtonPost: Bergoglio tested by Argentine leaders

NYTimes: Vatican Rejects Argentine Accusations Against Pope Francis
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Argh. Soooo tired. Work's been really busy recently, but here're a few random linketies.

Restore ReDress!
Bring back the best independent plus size store in the world! -- This is my friend Rachel, and she's all flavors of awesome.

Feministing: Court strikes down Idaho’s 20-week abortion ban -- Wow, it's actually good news for once!

Happy International Women's Day

Feministing: Daily Feminist Cheat Sheet: International Women’s Day

Youtube: My cat can see the rotating snake illusion! -- Wow. I'd love to see some actual research on animals and optical illusions, but this certainly seems indicative.

AfterEllen: Pop Theory: On Bisexuality -- Good stuff. Looks like BiNet USA has an excellent president these days. On the downside, I got sucked into reading comments and am having a moment of feeling hopeless and stomach-clenchy. It's not actually true, but sometimes it feels we've gotten nowhere on bi acceptance in the queer community in the 20 years I've been out and having these conversations.
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MotherJones: 12 Ways the Sequester Will Screw the Poor

MotherJones: The Sequester, Explained

ONTD_Political: Obama Calls Sequester Cuts 'Dumb' And 'Arbitrary,' Blames GOP For Inflexibility

Ingenuity Cleveland is pleased to announce the area’s first Mini Maker Faire in collaboration with the Cleveland Public Library. The event will take place on Saturday, April 13 from 10 am – 6:00 pm at the Library’s downtown branch (325 Superior Ave., N.E. Cleveland, OH 44114.) This free event will allow people of all ages to learn, discover, create, and play along with “makers” and creators from the region’s business, non-profit, and scholastic sectors. -- This looks really cool. Sadly, I don't think we'll have Kidlet that weekend; I'd love to take him.

NYTimes: We Found Our Son in the Subway -- AWWWWWWW!!!

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Colorlines: After Trayvon: Acts of Kindness, Courage and Resistance

Feministing: New documentary on the past 50 years of the feminist movement premieres tonight

ONTD_Political: Emerson Fraternity Raises Money for Trans Brother

ONTD_Science: Peruvian billboards harvest water from the desert air

NotAlwaysWorking: I Said, She NSAID (on crappy medical experiences)
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Currently reading (listening to) The Stepsister Scheme. They're light but they're fun, and they pass the Bechdel Test in spades, which is nice. And so far the book really avoids the whole "adventuring women need a male protector along" trope. I'm not surprised that I'm finding it generally feminist in a lot of ways; Jim C. Hines first came to my attention through his awesome Cover Posing project. That's basically why I looked up one of his books to try out; his worldview suggested I wouldn't end up throwing his books across the room.

PlainDealer: Phone thefts prompt RTA to raise awareness, beef up police response
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ONTD_Political: Breaking news -- a fetus is now an organ!
Alabama state Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin (R) is pushing legislation that would impose restrictions on abortion clinics -- a move that she argues is necessary because the procedure is a major surgery that removes the largest "organ" in a woman's body. -- I doubt this will actually go anywhere, it's just a prime example of right-wing anti-choice idiocy and straw-grasping.

ONTD_Political: Missouri Rep: Spousal Consent Bill Exists But “Has Too Many Loopholes” -- More asshattery; spousal consent doesn't stand under current "undue burden" standards but I have little enough faith in the Supremes that I really don't want this kind of crap making it onto the books in case they change their minds.

ONTD_Political: Obama Seeking to Boost Study and Mapping of Human Brain -- awesome news, but I'm quite sure the tea party is going to claim this is somehow about learning to control voters' brains or something.

RHRealityCheck: Anti-Choicers Shamelessly Abuse Dead Woman Because She Chose Medically-Indicated Surgery -- Unsurprisingly, it's an article at RH Reality Check that finally completely encapsulates my feelings about this case.

Slate: HPV Costs Americans Nearly $2 Billion To Treat. Why Is It So Expensive?
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G's off at Frostburn and it wasn't a Kidlet or clinic escorting weekend, so Chad and I had a very quiet, relaxed couple of days together. Sunday we finished off Buffy Season 6 (largely because I really want to show him Creepy!NathanFillion in Season 7), and we at least managed enough housecleaning that we turned up the missing Netflix DVDs. Now we get more Eureka and Thundercats! We're on season 5 of Eureka; it's the only bit left that I hadn't seen even before Chad and I started our full watch-through, so I'm both curious and sad. Really not ready for it to be over. I've noticed I have a habit of not watching final seasons of shows; my own little media denialism.

Brief medical update (detailed for those of you I know to have a particular interest):( Read more... )

SmithsonianMag: These Rainbow-colored Transparent Ants Are What They Eat -- really gorgeous, and it includes extra pics that weren't on Facebook.

SmithsonianMag: Triclosan, A Chemical Used in Antibacterial Soaps, is Found to Impair Muscle Function -- I am _really_ not a fan of the stuff, and categorically refuse to buy products containing it.

SmithsonianMag: This African Fruit Produces the World’s Most Intense Natural Color
When they examined P. condensata on a cellular level, they realized that the fruit produces its characteristic color through structural coloration, a radically different phenomenon that is well-documented in the animal kingdom but virtually unknown in plants.

Alternet: Extremists Hold a Mock Memorial For Woman Who Died From Abortion Complications -- *rage* Her loss is a tragedy. Their use of her as a weapon against Dr. Carhart is obscene. He handles some of the most complicated cases in the country, and that does mean he and his patients are facing greater risks medically. Watching them twist his expertise and compassion into "butchery" makes me sick.