May 2013
1 post
5 tags
See a Woman Reading? Leave Her Alone.
Originally posted to Gender Focus on May 5th 2013.
A few months ago, I went to meet with a colleague at his apartment. Since I wasn’t familiar with the neighborhood and I’m paranoid about being late, I budgeted extra time to find the address. It turned out to be easy to find, so I ended up with an hour to myself. Thankfully, a person who likes to read is never bored. I pulled out a book (This...
April 2013
1 post
3 tags
Asking for It
Originally posted to Gender Focus 27 March 2013
Last summer my husband was out of town for work. Though I missed him, it was exciting to be alone in Boston. I liked the idea of being mysterious and anonymous, minding my own business about town. With my tiny grocery cart, I felt like a woman with a secret. For two dollars I could take a train anywhere in the city– to an art museum or a brewery or...
February 2013
2 posts
7 tags
My Boobs and I are Outraged
Originally posted to Gender Focus.
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to go a whole day without feeling angry about misogyny. That day is not today.
Of all the ridiculous things said at the Oscars, I find myself most upset at Seth MacFarlane’s “Boobs” song. It’s like a splinter in my heel: it hurts and I can’t stop picking at it. The fact that I’ve already been told, in the nicest way...
9 tags
Your Arguments Against Our Permanent Birth Control...
Originally posted to Gender Focus. Cross-posted at The Frisky.
My spouse and I are seeking permanent birth control, and the entire process has been difficult. At this point, we are sick to death of unsolicited advice on the subject (Pro-tip: If someone you don’t know says they’re not judging you, they are judging you). Everyone’s heart is in the right place, I can only assume. People think they...
December 2012
1 post
3 tags
Buying Presents for Other People's Children:... →
I offer some suggestions for feminists who need to buy presents for other people’s kids but are wary of the usual gendered toys. Originally posted December 17th, 2012.
August 2012
2 posts
10 tags
An Open Letter to Green Day: What the Hell, Guys? →
I am one of Green Day’s biggest fans. But as a feminist I was disappointed by their video for “Oh Love.”
6 tags
Women and Men who are Ambivalent about Men Who... →
I reviewed “Men Who Hate Women and Women Who Kick Their Asses”, a collection of responses to Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, etc).
July 2012
1 post
8 tags
The Invisible War: Breaking the Silence Around... →
Originally posted to Gender Focus. I review The Invisible War, Kirby Dick’s documentary on rape in the US military.
June 2012
2 posts
10 tags
Gender Focus Panel: SFU Men's Centre →
I’m a few days late posting this. It was originally posted to Gender Focus on June 17th. Other contributors and I weigh in on the SFU Student Society’s decision to establish a “Men’s Resource Centre” on campus and the controversy surrounding the decision.
8 tags
Gender Focus Panel: While the Men Watch →
CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada has partnered with “While the Men Watch” - a show hosted by two women billed as “female-friendly commentary” for women to access while their male significant others watch the game. Other Gender Focus contributors and I weigh in with our thoughts.
April 2012
18 posts
6 tags
Women Are Not Like Cats →
Originally posted on Gender Focus, March 21st 2012. I react to a piece by The Good Men Project titled “Women Are Like Cats.”
4 tags
Invisible Children Makes Ugandans Invisible →
Originally posted for Gender Focus on March 19th, 2012. My take on the hoopla surrounding the Kony 2012 campaign. In a nutshell, it’s good that you care about something, but if you want to help, it might be a good idea to ask Ugandans about it instead of a white man.
3 tags
The Secret World of Arrietty: For the Activist and... →
My review of the new Studio Ghibli film, The Secret World of Arrietty. Originally posted to Gender Focus, February 27th 2012.
3 tags
Of Beds and Bugs →
Originally published with Katherine Press, February 2012. Sort of a break from my usual style. This is a personal essay based on my experience living alone and learning things about myself while my husband was out to sea.
6 tags
Au Revoir, "Mademoiselle!" →
Originally posted for Gender Focus on January 27th, 2012. I talk about a French town banning the use of “Mademoiselle” on official forms, and my own personal gripes with gendered terms like “Madame.”
9 tags
Can't Turn it Off: Retro-Sexism in TV Sitcoms →
Originally posted for WAM!, January 5th 2012. I react to un-funny TV sitcoms that rely on gender stereotypes, specifically the (now canceled) show, “Work It!”.
4 tags
I'm Sick of Being Sick of Rape Culture →
Originally posted for WAM! on December 13th, 2011. I respond to a piece on Campus Basement titled “10 Ways to Fool a Sorority Girl Into Bed.”
4 tags
(2011) 16 Days of Action Against Gender Violence →
Originally posted for WAM! (Women, Action and the Media) on December 12th, 2011. This is a summary of our 16 day blogging campaign, in solidarity with the Rutgers University 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign. We highlighted WAMmers working to end gender violence.
3 tags
Nightmare Revisited →
Originally posted November 30th. Special guest post for Bitch Flicks during their animated films for children series. I talk about re-watching The Nightmare Before Christmas through an adult, feminist perspective.
4 tags
Mo Hair Mo Problems →
Originally posted November 5th for WAM!. I talk about “No Shave November” and some of the hateful feedback directed at women who dare to go unshaven.
3 tags
Less Sex, More Candy →
Originally posted October 31st, 2011 for WAM!. I take on the increasingly ridiculous notion of “sexy ____” Halloween costumes for women and girls.
4 tags
Domestic Violence is Tolerated-- Officially →
Originally posted to Gender Focus on October 26th, 2011. I discuss the shameful decision of lawmakers in Topeka Kansas to legalize domestic violence.
3 tags
Steven Greenstreet Isn't Sexist; He Just Loves Hot... →
Originally posted October 21st, 2011 for WAM! (Women Action and the Media). Steven Greenstreet started a blog called “Hot Chicks of Occupy Wall Street” and, surprisingly, some people have a problem with that.
6 tags
The Revolution Down the Street →
Originally posted to Gender Focus on October 10th, 2011. I describe my very first encounter with Occupy Boston.
5 tags
Keeping Abreast of Politics →
Originally posted September 29th, 2011 at Gender Focus. I discuss the sexist double standard surrounding a Member of Parliament’s Photoshopped cleavage.
2 tags
Birth Control Blues →
Originally posted September 22nd, 2011 at Gender Focus.
5 tags
Edmonton Radio Station Holds Contest to Win a... →
Originally posted September 16th, 2011 at Gender Focus.
6 tags
Pork Underbelly The Sexual Politics of (Lots and... →
This originally appeared in the Reverb issue of Bitch Magazine, summer 2011. I discuss voyeuristic objectification and the blurred lines between sex and food on the internet cooking show Epic Meal Time.
