LGBTQIA in Media

Where's the Respect?

This ranty episode discusses topics ranging from wedding frustrations to social policy. Get ready to follow several tangents to get to the end.

Also, the name hasn't changed from WIC, that is the new name. The website was a bit confusing about the name change, so let me know if you could decode it.

Adventure Double Standard

In this week's episode, I talk about the fear of being attacked while walking alone, especially on trails. It also includes additional puppy notices and wine slurring!

Articles:

Are Runners Likely to be Targets of Violent Crime from Science Based Running

Facts and Statistics from National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW)

This is How Women Feel About Walking Alone at Night in Their Own Neighborhoods from Washington Post

Has Your Voice Been Heard?

I give some info and a lot of rant about Planned Parenthood funding cuts and the possible repeal of ACA (aka Obamacare).

Find your U.S. Representive by zipcode with this link.
Find your U.S. Senator by state with this link.

Handmaid's Tale became
reality in Missouri capitol
May 3rd, 2017

Links:
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/general-health-care
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/women-dressed-up-as-handmaids-to-defend-reproductive-rights-in-missouri_us_590a2417e4b02655f843a8fa

Domestic Violence in the Ozarks Part 2

State Shelters: Arkansas: Taylor House
https://www.domesticshelters.org/ar/batesville/72503/family-violence-prevention-inc-taylor-house-for-men#.WQK3qKVOlnE
Taylor House Article
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/feb/11/batesville-nonprofit-opens-domestic-violence-shelt/?f=threerivers
Harmony House Website
https://www.myharmonyhouse.org/
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) Website
https://www.rainn.org/about-rainn

Hotline numbers:
Taylor House - (870)569-8024
Harmony House - (417)864-7233
RAINN - (800)656-4673

Guilty Feminist Moment #2

Vicariously Shaming

TV has ruined me! My vicarious living refuses to coincide with my feminist views. For instance, I have been watching a Netflix show, Peaky Blinders. Fabulous acting and scene set up, the show is based in England, 1919. we are only a half of season in. In this show there is an operative, Grace, working for the national coppers. She has been given a mission to seduce the head of the gang, Tommy, to get intell about the illegal activity. (Spoiler alert: she follows through with the mission then resigns, before turning down a proposal from her copper boss [ewwwy]. She has chosen to stay as bar-maid for Tommy's family bar and, I'm assuming, pursue the relationship with the gang leader.)

Well, I am officially at the point of wanting Grace to give up her values and fall in love with Tommy. I am even starting to not like her character for betraying Tommy...how messed up is that?! Instead of saying, "what a bad ass woman!" or "thanks to her, a major gang could be stopped," I am judging her. In my mind, she is not her character, but instead just a love interest.

I know this may sound ridiculous, but it is only one example of many times I have easily judged someone on the magic box. This makes it easier and easier to judge women around me.

Values Without Judgement

Since the election, I have had many discussions concerning abortion, something most people did not discuss before. I myself am pro-choice. As the phrase suggests, I will support your opinion of what abortion may be and what you chose with your reproductive organs. However, shaming or judging women with the opposite view or of those who have had an abortion will not be tolerated.

However, I can see why they may be so distraught about abortion. Imagine being told since you were a small child that abortion was murder of a beautiful, innocent baby. If I was conditioned that way, of course I would feel righteous in the fight against "baby murdering."

In one of my classes, a professor has chosen to use the classroom as a political platform. At one point asking I and another student if we were "right, center, or left." Both of us answered left. Next the professor vocally assumed in front of the class we were both pro-choice (I am unsure of the other students position). This was one of many times, the professor explained her political view, voicing her "disappointment" in the Black Lives Matter movement and the Women's March following the inauguration. Keep in mind, this class I am speaking about is an introduction course for Social Work (one of the core values is about diversity and inclusion), and not political science. For the next ten minutes, the professor explained she thought abortion was murder and it was a sin. Of course, yesterday during class a superior professor performed a peer review...we might have a more inclusive professor next week.

Final Words from HF

Whether you're pro-choice or pro-life, be respectful of all opinions. If it's better to not talk about it, don't. I have a friend who is pro-life, we have kept our close friendship (she is one of my bridesmaids, in fact) by not talking politics. My moto is "the political arena is not in your friends living room." Protest, call and write to your legislator, work to be on the ballot, and allow discussion, those are the ways to change.

Fight the good fight! Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Hillbilly Feminist

Say No to Slut Shaming

When you first think of Melania Trump, what comes to your mind? If it helps, write them down on a piece of paper. Now, look at what you wrote down and put a tally by the things that you would have not known if she wasn’t married to Donald Trump, President-elect. I’ll be honest, if it wasn’t for the election, I wouldn’t even know her name. I’m not interested in his business antics or reality show.

Now I ask, why are so many people directing their hate and shaming on her? She won’t even be staying in the White House (Trump’s daughter will be his first lady…. yes, America becoming more and more creepy). The slut shaming against Melania has been so blatant and crude, even some of the most liberal people I know are becoming what we fight to end. 

Slut shaming Melania because of a man is playing right into the dirty, greedy patriarchal hands that keep women “in their place.” Instead of shaming another woman to “get at” her husband, we need to come together to ensure knowledge and awareness is spread among our fellow women about policies that will be passed by the dangerous men in charge.

The shaming includes making front of her accent or the fact she is not American born. I understand the hypocrisy by President-Elect Trump, but in the end, she is a legal citizen of the United States. Liberals making rally cries against Melania’s being an immigrant reinforces the conservative notion “that immigrants need to go back from where they’re from.” We have lost the few allies in the executive branch and wasting time/energy by taking cheap shots will not further our goals for equality.

Side tangent: Speaking of equality, I recently got in a Facebook discussion (somewhat respectful) about whether LGBT rights are in danger with the new administration. Pence’s actions while Governor of Indiana, clearly show his dislike of anyone different than him….*cough* *cough* *douche bag*.

I got a little side tracked. Our country is in for rough four years and we cannot break our resilience or conviction. Let’s concentrate on protecting and supporting each other.

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Hillbilly Feminist

Oh Yeah, I Said 'Feminist'

It is amazing how offended people get when someone says "feminist." I could literally hear people's butt holes pucker and see their eyes go wide from fear of the two hour speech on 21st century feminism ideology. When some hear the "f" word, the image of strong willed woman who have never used a razor and doesn't wear a bra pop in their head. This woman is yelling and slashing down all of the men in sight. As much as I admire this made up woman, this is normally not the case.

People, especially men, have been trained to fear the growth of power among women in society. If you ask me, which you are if you're reading this, that is freaking ridiculous! Women getting equal rights implies things will then be, well, equal. We are not planning on putting men in chains or having public castrations. My only advice is they need to calm the fuck down!

When I first told my fiance of my feminist ways, he was a wee bit nervous. Before he asked about the length of my armpit hair, I asked him if he believed in equal rights and pay for women. He said, "Yes, of course." With a big grin on my face and hands on my hips, I informed him, he in fact was also a feminist (he still won't admit it....for now).

Within the past year, I have embraced my feminist-ness, especially during the election. Women have fought and died for us to vote, why waste that? Keep their voices alive. Increasing rights and awareness is started with votes. Policy change is not simple and needs people to come out and vote!

Women in the U.S. have worked hard to get where we are. According to Wikipedia (don't forget to donate!), there have been three waves of feminism - suffrage, cultural, and global feminism. Most recently, we have entered a fourth wave concerning reproductive rights, male feminism, and support for transgender peoples. These are some scary times, politically speaking. Stay aware and be an informed citizen. That can be your biggest weapon against injustice!

Last thought, don't be ashamed of being a feminist. Shout it from the top of a roof top if you want to! Instead of being scared of what others will think, show them there should be no fear of equality.

Have a great week, ya'll!

Sincerely,
Hillbilly Feminist

Equality for All, Not Just "Us"

We need each other to progress.

A little tidbit about myself. I am a pre-admission Social Work student at Missouri State University (MSU) in Springfield, MO. I am so far, yet so close to finishing this forever degree. I have an Associates of Degree in Teaching and spent my practicum in the Chadwick (super tiny town southeast of Springfield, MO) school district. My time in Chadwick and Springfield has given me prospective from two completely different views of the Ozarks. While Chadwick has the mentality "everyone knows each other" and might be kin somewhere down the line, Springfield on the other hand let's people be individuals without the stigma of their last name or other family member's actions. While Chadwick will rally of it's citizens to help one of their own, Springfield citizens might be more cautious of helping every individual they see with a need. Both communities have issues, but both have beautiful attributes. Being aware of both the problems and beauty can keep advocates, activists, and policy makers sane.

Picture from transitioningtome.blogspot.com

There are so many social issues being addressed today, such as LGBT rights, domestic violence victim advocacy, homelessness, poverty and many more. All of these issues are extremely important, not only to people being directly affected, but also to those living in this area. Some people see these issues as separate social problems that need to be acknoledged and remedied. I believe the opposite. Social issues tend to not effect one person at a time, instead, it may be a chain reaction. For example, a 17 year old who lives in a rural area comes out to their parents who are not accepting. The teenager may then be kicked out and be forced to be homeless. Due to lack of resources for the homeless in the rural area, the young teen comes to Springfield for shelter (since the teenager is 17, social services may not be called). Or a 23 year old female is in a co-abusive relationship (meaning both partners are abusive to each other). After a heavy night of drinking, the female is beaten to a point of needing to receive emergency services. However, the female does not have a job that provides insurance or makes enough money to go to a clinic. (For this specific case, if she did go to the hospital, a police officer would be called to investigate the industry.) Instead, her injuries are not seen to and neither is her safety.

Above is only two examples of hundreds. As advocates, activists, and policy makers it is our duty to ensure equality of income, assets, rights, and safety for all, not just the group you are apart of.
Thank you to all of the people out there fighting the good fight. Protect self, group, and community!

Sincerely,
Hillbilly Feminist