| Sexual assault at work |
[05 Jul 2010|11:23pm] |
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I work in a clothes shop in London, and recently one of my co-workers (and friends) managed to secure a position as the head of the companies P.A. She has been keen to further her career, and so jumped at the chance. Over the weeks, it became clear that something was very, very wrong. She came to our store to buy new clothes because she had been instructed to wear more short skirts. She had to wear heels at all times, a full face of makeup, and have immacuately done nails. When our manager spoke to the head on the phone, he told her to 'speak to my dog', in reference to my friend. She kept telling us all that everything was fine however, and we, perhaps stupidly, believed her.
The other night things reached an entirely new level. She was at his home, working late with him, when he pulled her by the hair and tried to kiss her. When she resisted, he grabbed her breast, pulled her hair again and informed her to 'bend over', as he took off his belt. My friend managed to escape the situation, and yesterday went to the police station to make a formal complaint. There is a warrant out for his arrest, but he's currently out of the country, on holiday.
He is an immensely powerful and wealthy man, and I find it hard to believe that with the UK judicial system being the way it is, that any justice will be served. This man is a monster. He gradually wore down the resistence of my friend, demanding her constant attention. She became so entrenched in his world, that she began to normalise his increasingly inappopriate behaviour and demands upon her. This incident I think shocked her into realising how completely fucked up his treatment of her has been. She's not alone in this either, he makes inappopriately sexual comments to almost all the female staff, and gets away with it. He's currently already being sued by a former employee for sexual harassment, and another manager walked out after being told he needed to fire a sales assistant because 'no one wants to be served by a black man'. My friend apparently has tried to resign in the past, but he just laughed at her and threw the resignation letter back in her face.
Yet this case comes firmly down to her word against his, and he will of course be able to afford the best lawyer money can buy. The only eye witness account was through an office window, in which another member of staff witnessed him telling my friend to sit down in front of him and slowly open and close her legs. The power he weilds psychologically over his staff members is absolutely horrifying, proven by the fact that a collegue saw this and felt powerless to do anything.
My anger is indescribable. I don't know how to help my friend, I don't even really know the legal standing when it comes to sexual harassment in the UK. I've done some research, and found the number for the one rape and sexual assault crisis centre in London. Also a charity that helps victims of abuse who work in retail. But I am overwhelmed with frustration and rage that due to this mans position of power, he feels he can act in any way he feels towards women. That they are nothing, toys for him to pick up and play with, then discard. That he has gotten away with it for so long, and will most likely continue to do so. How is this right? How is this ok? and how is it so many men in our society are able to get away with things like this??
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| New to this community |
[23 Mar 2010|07:30pm] |
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So this community really stood out to me because throughout a good portion of my life, I was sexually, physically, and mentally abused by my father. Lately, I've decided that instead of brooding over everything that's happened, I'm going to take my experiences and use them to make me a stronger person, and help other women with similar problems overcome it as well. To see this group of so many strong-willed women, it's truly inspiring. :D
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| US: Senate BANS ABORTIONS via State Loophole - Contact The White House! |
[20 Dec 2009|01:10pm] |
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Hi Friends and Colleagues,
I am writing to urge you to contact the White House and let President Obama know that you are opposed to BOTH the Senate and House versions of the currently propose health care reform.
Like most of you, I too have been filling out petitions, blogging and Twittering about these underhanded attempts in our Congress to violate women's fundamental Constitutional right to abortion. I understand it has become tiring and seems repetitive, but the fact of the matter is that no one in power seems to be listening to the big advocacy organizations like NARAL, Planned Parenthood or NOW, so I think it is time that folks as individuals make their voices heard. Please keep in mind that contacting our Senators did not stop the most recent anti-abortion amendment being pushed through without the approval of the majority of the Senate. In my mind, this means that it has gone beyond the point of people asking their elected officials to look out for their interests. If these officials were able to adequately represent us, we wouldn't have a small cabal of three or four persons (most of them white men, who will never become pregnant), flagrantly ignoring the procedures of the Senate, while being given the approval of The White House in the process.
So, pick up the phone, fax or email The White House TODAY!
They can be reached here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/
I suggest that folks also write letters to the editors of their newspapers, magazines and television stations and DEMAND that they interview local citizens about their opinions regarding this health care reform and the subversion of abortion rights, because I for one am sick and tired of only reading pieces with commentary by the advocacy groups when again, it seems as though those same groups are not being heard or are not engaging in an effective manner with our representatives. The whole thing stinks and feels very gamed to me. In my experience, the best way to effectively deal with these types of situations is to introduce a third party (namely individuals citizens), who can use the internet or other means so that their voices are actually seen and heard.
Here is a thorough explanation as to how the current Nelson amended Senate Bill will restrict women and trans folks' (FTMs and genderqueers) access to abortions and other reproductive health services:
http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2009/12/20/the-nelson-compromise
Here is a look into the pork barrel bribe that was offered to Senator Nelson and the State of Nebraska in exchange for his 60th vote, which came at the expense of reproductive freedom:
http://biggovernment.com/2009/12/19/sen-nelsons-bribe/
Here is a breakdown of why the health care reform overall is horrible for US people and our future health and financial well being:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/19/816961/-Why-This-Senate-Health-Bill-Should-Not-Pass
Yours in Feminist Solidarity!
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| US: Job Posting: Senior Attorney for Federal Policy |
[15 Dec 2009|07:48pm] |
Job Posting: Senior Attorney for Federal Policy
The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) seeks a Senior Attorney for Federal Policy for a two-year position in its Washington, D.C. Regional Office. The main areas of responsibility are: performing and overseeing legal research and writing related to federal policy advocacy; working with the Executive Branch to ensure leadership and substantive advances on LGBT issues; and identifying and pursuing opportunities at the federal agency level to effect positive administrative and policy changes. The attorney will also work with Congress and congressional staff on federal legislation, and to ensure that NCLR’s members and supporters have the opportunity to engage in zealous constituent advocacy. The attorney will work closely with NCLR’s executive director, legal director, and director of projects and managing attorney to establish priorities and direction for NCLR’s work in this area and will supervise NCLR’s field organizer/D.C. office manager.
To apply, please send cover letter, resume, 5-10 page legal research writing sample, and three work references by e-mail only to: Joshua Delgado, Legal Assistant, National Center for Lesbian Rights. His email is: jdelgado ATT nclrights DOT org
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| US: Senate tables Nelson's abortion amendment 54-45 |
[08 Dec 2009|03:16pm] |
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Senate tables Nelson's abortion amendment 54-45
The Hill Blog
By Michael O'Brien - 12/08/09 05:33 PM ET
Senators voted Tuesday afternoon to set aside a healthcare amendment that would have curbed federal support for abortion coverage.
Senators voted to table a measure from Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Pa.) that would have banned the government from offering insurance plans in a national healthcare exchange that cover abortion.
The amendment, which needed 60 votes to pass and was not expected to be adopted, was tabled in a 54-45 vote.
( Read more... )
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| Cities with an active feminist community? |
[06 Dec 2009|08:25am] |
What cities in the United States have active feminist communities? Womens' centers, feminist book groups, etc.
I wish it could be MichFest all year round, but unfortunately it isn't. The next best thing would be to live in a city with a fairly active womens' community... where can I find that?
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| Call Your Reps on Monday for ENDA! Tell them not to delay! |
[05 Dec 2009|05:46pm] |
Please excuse the x-posting!!
From CHAMP Network:
Pass ENDA Now - No More Delays!
Right now in this country, there is no federal legislation that protects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers from job discrimination - and that puts people at higher risk of poverty, lack of health care, homelessness and other factors that can increase vulnerability to HIV or progession to AIDS.
But the bill that would end this discrimination - the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 3017/S. 1584) - is being delayed in the House of Representatives!
22 national organizations just issued a joint release saying that this delay is unacceptable.
Tell Congress to end the delay! Tell Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, now! Flood congressional offices with calls and emails!
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: (202) 224-3121. Give the operator your zip code and ask to be connected to your Representative. Then, after leaving your message, hang up and call again to be connected to your two Senators.
Suggested voicemail message:
( Read more... )
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| Hello Newbie Here |
[15 Nov 2009|09:47pm] |
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Hi, I just joined this awesome community. I'm 26 almost 27 years old. I've felt very feminist for years and years now and my family always just wrote me off as having some teen angst thing. For years now I have suppressed the grrl I know I really am and I think it's about time I let her out. I love punk rock music and have five tattoos and want more. Happy to meet you all and my dream is to one day write a kick ass book or write for a magazine/zine. Have an awesome day :)
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| "I Knew A Motherfucker Like You And She Said..." #2, CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS |
[03 Nov 2009|10:27am] |
hey everyone! in the summer i posted a call for submissions for the 1st issue of my new compilation zine of writing by grrrls, about topics we feel we aren't allowed or encouraged to write about in most places. the zine was a huge success! 16 contributors wrote about a ton of topics including sexual violence, relationships, menstrual products, s/m, sexuality, and feminism. it was amazing. and now i'm getting ready to start working on #2. i've already received one submission and i've heard from others that they are interested in submitting. i'm hoping the zine will come out february-ish, so try to get your pieces into me by mid-december, the sooner the better of course so i can start working on it. write what you really want to say, write what matters to you, write the things that are hard, write the things that you want to celebrate, write what you get called a bitch for saying, write the things they told you to shut up about.
for more info on the zine check out:
http://sites.google.com/site/clementinecannibal/iknewamotherfuckerlikeyouandshesaid
and to order the zine go here:
http://sites.google.com/site/clementinecannibal/zines
now, here's the original call for submissions to get you inspired:
submissions wanted for a new grrrl/bitch/go fuck yourself kind of zine
i'm nearing completion of the 10th issue of my perzine licking stars off ceilings and i've been thinking about a new project to work on as well as my perzine. basically, i want to create a compilation zine of writing by grrrls ... but with a certain "theme" or "motif" if you will.
the zine is going to be called "i knew a motherfucker like you and she said..." which is a line from a guns n roses song. the idea behind the zine is grrrls writing honestly, unabashedly, and unapolegtically about things that matter to us. i am most especially interested in that which is surpressed, labeled as "bad" or "hushhush"... i want a space where grrrls can write openly and honestly without fear of judgement and express all kinds of (sometimes contradictory) thoughts and feelings.
i am not interested in painting women as either "victim" "virgin" or "whore"... i am interested in showing how we are often all of these and manymany more and other things. i am not interested in painting women as anything, i just want a place where we can say the shit we aren't supposed to say or aren't allowed or encouraged to say.
topics might include: rocknroll, punkrock, music in general, sex, pleasure, relationships, violence, sexual violence, drug or alcohol use or abuse, masturbation, ambition, partying, anger, feelings about your body, ways to "riot" or fight back, feelings of grrrl solidarity or feelings of alienation, experiences of humiliation or being "made an example of", things that really matter to you, things that piss you off, experiences with your period, learning about sex: the things you wish you'd known back then, experiences with stds, birth control, reproductive choice, abortion: medical and/or "natural", experiences with work, dealing with grrrl jobs such as retail, service jobs, sex work of various kinds, or trying to "make it" in male dominated jobs or neither or both, mental "health" or "unhealth", or "gofuckyourself i AM healthy", experience with psychwards and that whole psych world, being called or considered crazy/hysterical/emotional/fucked up, living in a world that promotes girlhate, sexual harassment, pedophelia, times when people threatened you or fucked with you and how you felt and so on.
basically anything you really want to say, things that matter you, that you want to share with other grrrls but most importantly: things that you know you couldnt "get away" with just anywhere, but with a chorus of grrrrls and bitchs behind you it makes you feel better about it! thats the feel i want for this zine. not that we have to agree, just that we are making room to say shit that matters to us.
i'm open to all sorts of forms of writing, including poetry, rants, essay style, fiction, personal stories, erotica, reviews of shit you like or hate, and so on. anything you really want to say. be a MOTHERFUCKER about it.
my email address is:
lickingstarsoffceilings@hotmail.com
send any submissions to my email including any info (name, contacts, your zine(s), or whatever else you want included with your piece) to my email. and dont be afraid to ask me any questions. please direct questions to me through email or on my journal, because i might not check back everywhere i post this.
xo clementine cannibal
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| Separation of Church and State- where is the line? |
[27 Aug 2009|06:34pm] |
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Whatever your thoughts on Muslim women wearing the niqab, or veil, in public, I'd love to hear your thoughts on my mulling over this recent court ruling in Michigan that allows their courts "reasonable control over the appearance of parties and witnesses." This ruling is in response to a woman who tried to faithfully wear her niqab in claims court. eco-fan.livejournal.com/5303.html
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| axiomatic |
[07 Aug 2009|10:23pm] |
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xposted to![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) add_a_feminist
I hope it's ok I post this here. I've been trying to think through the murder of three women at an LA Fitness club a few days ago by a man who was angry that he couldn't get any dates.
The posts are part of an ongoing project about ethics in dating. I've edited for clarity, but there are more details in the original. The obvious reaction is that it's not ethical to fucking shoot women because you can't get a date, but I guess I think there's even more than that to say. So the following is my attempt to say something about what these murders say about men and women and heterosexual dating nowadays.
***
I briefly fucked around with an older man. I'd say he was in his mid to late 50s, although he could have been even older. I never asked and he never told me.
When we were talking one evening after some wine and sex, he started to muse aloud. "I like you a lot. I even love you," he said, "but I don't see how we could get seriously involved. I want children and you're too old already. I need a younger woman."
I am about 15-20 years younger than he is. And he has pretty unrealistic expectations about the women he will date. They need to have an athletic body, a pretty face, and a good mind, like me. He wasn't having a lot of luck with those women and, after a few weeks, he didn't have much luck with me either.
What stuck with me were his expectations -- his sense of entitlement. ( continued. )
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| Quote |
[05 Aug 2009|02:10am] |
I like to save snippets of things I read or hear that I find worthwhile. This one seemed relevant.
I think anorexia is a metaphor. It is a young woman's statement that she will become what the culture asks of its women, which is that they be thin and nonthreatening. Anorexia signifies that a young woman is so delicate that, like the women of China with their tiny broken feet, she needs a man to shelter and protect her from a world she cannot handle. Anorexic women signal with their bodies "I will take up only a small amount of space. I won't get in the way." They signal "I won't be intimidating or threatening." (Who is afraid of a seventy-pound adult?) Mary Pipher (Reviving Ophelia)
If you care, there's more at my quote journal, ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.2) find_your_rage. Try the gender tag.
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[26 Apr 2009|11:06am] |
Hello people!!! I have a question and was hoping someone in this community could assist me.
Some time ago, in 08 maybe, there was a contest for some feminist website and they had to make some kind of poster representing true beauty or something. One of them was the figure of a woman's torso with a lot of measuring tape around it saying words like "You are more than a number" ect ect, and another one with cosmetic items and on one of the items (a round flip mirror thingie) it said "all the cosmetics in the world can't buy you true beauty" or something along those lines.
GAHH I can't find these images for the LIFE of me!!! Any help from anyone? :(
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[18 Apr 2009|06:37pm] |
So, a few days ago I was sitting with my friend (female) and we somehow got onto the topic of cheerleading...
( Read more... )
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