The south side of Chicago has a new billboard. Anti-choice groups have decided to target black people by using a highly successful black persons image on a billboard meant to dissuade them from getting the procedure...original I know.
You know, this reminds me of the last presidential election when John McCain chose Sarah FAIL-in as a running mate because the GOP thought women where so dense all you had to do was hold someone with a vagina in front of us to gain our support.
Anyway, the slogan reads
"Every 21 minutes, our next possible leader is aborted"
but I think the mostly religious groups that beat the anti-choice drum are more concerned that the next "savior" could be aborted. I find all this ironic because IF Jesus did exist he was probably closer to the Presidents skin tone then most of the images that depict him today show.
Well the 112th congress is now in session and as promised everyone in America now has a job. Right? LMAO! No. As expected the right made every promise in the book concerning jobs, the economy and everything they knew we wanted to hear & now they are hard at work attacking the rights of women once again. So far there are already four bills being discussed whose only purpose is to limit women's access to safe medical abortions. There are:
This bill called the “No Tax Payer Funding for Abortions Act” should have been named “Rep. Chris Smith is so concerned about what you do with your vagina he doesn't even want you spending your OWN money on it.” That's right.
Even those of us who get tax credits for investing in our own health care savings accounts won't be able to use that money on an abortion if this one passes. Odd really because as Congressman Nadler points out here these religious righties don't consider it public funding when people spend their OWN money on a CHURCH & get a tax credit. Ah wait...most churches are run by men. Of course the religious right doesn't care how they spend their money. If there is a “patriarchy” in America today the religious right is the longest and strongest arm of it after all.
Yes, there is the inflammatory language about “forcible rape” that everyone is outraged about but I think people should be just as outraged by the so-called “Small government” strokers trying to tell women what they can do with their own money. Do we not WORK FOR our own money? Do we not EARN our own money? Or when they say “small government” do they really mean “small government for MEN?" I guess they believe that only men can be trusted to make their own decisions. This really doesn't surprise this sex workers rights advocate. After all, many of the feminists that have been in bed with the religious right for over ten years have been telling them that women can't be trusted to make their own choices as the video below will illustrate.
If ever there was hard proof written ON PAPER that the religious right values a woman ONLY for her birthing value it is H.R.358. This lovely little misogynistic piece of legislation states that if it goes against a doctors conscience to give a woman an abortion EVEN IF SHE WILL DIE WITHOUT ONE that they don't have to do it making the title "Protect Life Act" the misnomer of the fucking century! Do we need any more proof that the religious right sees women as nothing more then brood mares people? Do we really?
Aside from that Joseph Pitts; the Representative that introduce the bill also happened to Chair the Markup hearing on it and it was a fiasco. The Democrats have sent a formal request for the bill to be withdrawn until constitutional authority is added to the bill. Here it is in it's three hour long entirety. If you've got the time you may find it interesting.
The little bill that could. I say little because NO ONE but my friend FeministWhore is talking about or has even noticed it. There's not even any money invested in fighting it. This bill would solidify this "conscience clause" stuff. Aren't doctors SUPPOSED to save the lives of their patience? Last I checked that's what being a doctor was all about. It's their JOB to make the tough decisions. Ever hear of a triage nurse?
Last but not least (to my knowledge) There is H.R. 217~
Introduced by Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana. This guy has become my new best friend. There is nothing I love more then a rich, bible thumping MAN attacking what little access to affordable health care women in America have today. This bill is nothing less then a push to defund Planned Parenthood entirely. On what grounds could anyone do such a thing, you might ask. Well, based on videos from LIVE ACTION. Sound familiar? Well that wouldn't surprise me because this is the organization affiliated with James O'Keefe the snot nosed, little misogynistic shit himself. Pretty strong words huh? Well let's look at this kids list of accomplishments
-and trying to lure CNN corespondent Abbie Boudreau onto a boat fulled with dildos and LUBE in order to fool her into making a sex tape so he could destroy her career and hopefully CNN in the process. For more info on these follies watch this
Is it just me or is EVERYTHING this guy and his organization does misogynistic? Now, I urge you to look at the rest of my posts and see for yourself if I am the type of feminist that throws around the term misogynist freely. You will notice I hardly use that word at all because I want it to MEAN something when I do. It seems like the only two reasons I ever use it are when an anti-porn feminist calls me a whore or when dealing with anything having to do with James O'Keefe. Is this really the sort of element Rep. Mike Pence wants to associate himself with? If so he's a fool. But don't just take my word for it. My latest video below should serve to convince you.
Well, if you've made it this far I commend you. Believe me, I wish there was less to write. It's pretty upsetting really which is why I am determined to do everything in my power to FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT! Will you do the same? I certinly hope so. The lives of millions of women around the world are depending on it. Planned parenthood alone helps roughly 11,000,000 women in a year. If that doesn't serve to convince you how about this? This is what happens to women with they don't have access to safe affordable abortions. You may not like abortions but many women will have one one way or another & if you don't want their blood on your hands you best not fight to take their abortion rights away. That is...if you really DO care about life.
Some of you may be familiar with the Anti-porn organization PornHarms run by former Bush-era Obscenity Task Force Prosecutor & staunch Right Wing, Christian Fundamentalist Patrick Trueman. Printed right under the header of this site are the words,
“This site is dedicated to providing the most accurate peer-reviewed research on the harm from pornography, along with relevant news and opinion.”
Now, don't get me wrong. I have no problem with religion itself. I am; however, a staunch secularist and when I see religious organizations trying to use their pseudo-science & fear mongering to influence the government that governs ME I have a big problem with that!
There are two things I noticed about this “peer reviewed” research they claim to have.
1. Most of the peers seem to be in someway linked to each other & to strongly religious organizations.
2. A lot of them also happen to work in practices than not only use that pseudo-science to cure “porn addiction” but another “disorder” plaguing our country today. That's right! If you guessed “same sex attraction” you would be correct.
So,“the most accurate peer-reviewed research,” really? Below is a two part video done by my good friend and sex workers rights mentor FeministWhore that I believe proves other wise. Enjoy...
On Sept. 2, 2010 Monica Shores of Spread Magazine did a very even tempered blog post for the Ms.Blog entitled How to Respect Sex Workers.
In this post she makes and elaberates on the following suggestions for having a healthy dialogue with Sex Workers Right's Advocates/Activists.
1-Don’t diminish or mock sex workers’ agency.
2-Don’t assume your problems with the sex industry are the industry’s only problems.
3-Use language with care.
4-Educate yourself.
Inspired by the polite tone of this blog and a hope for peace with the Anti-Porn feminists I happen to share space with on YouTube I made the following video...
Being that I have heard more than one Anti-Porn feminist express a desire for "a healthy dialogue" you would expect this blog post and my efforts to reach out respectfully to be received with a modicum of consideration...and you would be wrong!
In this video made by the commonly know Anti-Porn YouTube feminist iremythpurr not only does she reference me by name but she proceeds to mock my comments on this blog post and many things about me that have no relevance what so ever.
This is just one example of how the "antis" take every well meaning gesture and twist it to not only sow more division within the feminist community but to character assassinate as well.
If you watch it on YouTube you will notice the comment section is full of unwarranted personal attacks and misrepresentations of my positions. One commenter even said:
"That woman has ZERO class. She's a bull in a feminist china shoppe."
another said:
"dick in ya ear is agency! i'm not a "victim" feminist but I am a victim. gawd. i'm going to become an manger of a strip club and then become a "sex workers rights advocate" ie industry rights, not worker rights. muney muneeehhh munns."
Mocking the fact that I used to be a stripper and have since embrace a position of authority in hopes of making the bar more sex worker considerate. But of course, it's easy to mock when you have nothing personally invested in the well being of women you don't even respect.
Medusa was one of three sisters born to Phorcys and Ceto. Though she was born mortal, her sisters Stheno & Euryale were not. Medusa was originally very beautiful. Her crowning glory was her magnificent, long hair and she was courted my many quality suitors. Before she could be betrothed to a husband, Poseidon/Neptune found her worshiping in the temple of Athena/Minerva and ravished her. Athena was outraged at her sacred temple being violated, and punished Medusa by turning her beautiful tresses into snakes and giving her the destructive power to turn anyone who looked directly at her into stone.
The Meaning
As a Sex Workers Right's Advocate I see a lot of symbolism in this legend that parallels the lives and experiences of the Sex Workers I speak out for.
1-As someone who has casually studied archetypes in my spare time I have come to understand Athena in a certain way. Though I have a great deal of respect for her in other ways, her archetype is one of a Goddess in service of and empowered by men. She is the protectress of the patriarchy. She was born of Zeus and Zeus alone and though one might expect her to come to the defense of a woman in need she had a tendency to look down on what she perceived as weakness.
I hear many Anti-porn and Radical Feminists talk about "overthrowing the patriarchy" but if you look closely at the companies that publish their books and the people on the Religious Right they tend to join forces with you will see that they doth protest too much! Much of the outward contempt they express for "the patriarchy" is a pathetic attempt at hiding the true nature of their connection to it.
2-Medusa was worshiping at the temple of Athena at the time she was "ravished."
The temple to me represents the feminism we think we all know and believe in when we are naive to the true nature of feminist politics today.
3-Poseidon/Neptune raped Medusa in the temple of Athena but rather then Athena getting mad at him she punished Medusa and turned her into a snake headed Gorgon for the rest of her days.
Poseidon obviously represents what we typically think of when we think of Patriarchy. He is powerful and he takes what (or who) he wants when he wants it. I hear many antis go on and on about how the Patriarchy puts women in the position to go into sex work by limiting their choices. I have noticed; however, that once a woman does go into that line of work they are quick to demonize her and accuse her of "Kowtowing to the Dick."
4-Medusa's gaze can turn anyone to stone instantly.
Marginalized by a society that sets many up for failure many women turn to sex work to make ends meet. You would think most human beings would have a great deal of compassion for them and you would be wrong. Once in "the lifestyle" many women find themselves so Stigmatized by the nature of the work they do you would think the hearts of everyone around them had turned to stone.
5-Know as an archer Medusa's Arrows were sharp and deadly accurate. Once she set her sights on her target their was little that could be done to distract her. As she was an underworld creature sunlight was not a friend to her but if you think you had escaped her once it found you might be mistaken. She may not peruse you but her arrow might follow you into that light and bring you back into the underworld she called home...the hard way.
Once marginalized and stigmatized by society a woman has little choice but to adapt to her new state of being or shrivel away in defeat. Taking up the cause of Advocacy is not only a way to heal but one might find that their words are capable of reaching those who would otherwise exist in a state of blissful ignorance.
Using our voices to spread this awareness is not only a way to heal but also a way to make a difference. Sadly, sometimes the greatest wounds are caused not by sex work itself but the stigma that goes along with it and the betrayal of those who claim to care.
I have found a solid support system in the Sex Workers Advocates on YouTube I have come to know and am grateful for it.
FeministWhore has been a mentor to me and I have learned so much since I met her.
YeOldeHeretic has been there for me in ways I can't go into but her friendship has given me strength when I wanted to quite and I thank her.
xxxild has taken me under her wing and guided me threw the underworld and for this reason I call her Kore.
And dynamiteruby is always ready to cheer me up...even when I don't wanna be cheered up!
Thanks Ladies!
Together we will shoot those arrows straight and hit those disinformationists...
RIGHT IN THE ASS!
For a little extra insight into why Medusa means a lot to me (hint-it has something to do with my childhood) watch this video. It also features a great song by Solace called Journey's end.
Being a Sex Workers Right's Advocate is not just about asserting that: women can and DO choose to be in the sex industry, they're right to say yes is just as important as they're right to say no and that they should NOT be punished if they do. It's also about calling attention to the kind of human trafficking you DON'T hear about...Labor Trafficking!
WHY DO WE NEVER HEAR ABOUT LABOR TRAFFICKING?
I'm only venturing a guess but I think it could be for the same reason many S.W.R.A.'s (Sex Worker's Rights Advocates) grumble about radical, abolitionist, feminists working with the religious right. Corporate greed prettied up with righteous, religious language!
In this video uploaded to YouTube by FeministWhore called "Delay and the Northern Marianas," proof is given to support this assertion.
I am doing a piece on this now because when she uploaded it we were both pretty new to YouTube and it didn't get as much exposure as it deserves.
FeministWhore has been my mentor in all of this and just about everything I know and any exposure I get is because she has VERY patiently guided me. I can't count the number of times I have said the words
"F.W. how do I...?" or "F.W. where do I find...?"
& sat there on "the skype" giggling (sometimes not so secretly) listening to her try to explain something to me while she chants her mantra
"CAT! I WILL KILL YOU!"
Anyone who follows my work needs to be following hers. If they do they will see...I am the peas and she is the steak. Her blog is filled with information I haven't even begun to learn yet...but I'm workin on it.
I am a massage therapist, tribal fusion belly dancer, activist, (sex-positive)feminist,former sex worker, existentialist, heathen, big-hearted, opinionated , WOMAN. I guess that's me in a nutshell. If it's true you can tell a person by what they stand for all you have to do is check out my blogs to know me. If you can tell a person by their material things I'm probably not much. I live a humble, comfortable life and am happy with that. If you can tell a person by the company they keep all I can say is my dog likes me but thinks I'm stranger than she is.
Do any of these things really tell a persons whole truth? How can I convey in a few words the battles I've fought in my life...with others...with myself and how they affected my growth? OR, how through choosing simply to "be the change I wish to see in the world" I make a difference in little ways as do us all? If I typed one of the dozens of silly songs I sing to celebrate some small event that would probably mean nothing to anyone but me would anyone get it? I am where I am on the path to wherever I'm going and when I get there I'll probably find that there's more to go. I enjoy the journey and if I make a few people smile on the way, cool. If I make a few people think, even better. If I make some laugh, that's awesome!
