Rebelles Reader

Here's a round up of old submissions,

From the NY Times:

When Chocolate and Chakras Collide

Exercise: In Women, Training for a Sharper Mind

Why Can't Middle-Aged Women Have Long Hair?

How DNA Testing is Changing Fatherhood

Feminist of the Future Relies on Men

On Road to Recovery, Past Adversary Provides a Map

From the Huffington Post:

Families use Social Media to Respond to Gardasil Side Effects


The 7 Weirdest things Women do to Their Privates


What Does it Mean to Be A Good Man?

Does Being Por Choice Mean I Have to Support Michelle Duggar?

Does My Religion Make Me Look Fat? The Connection Between Piety and Body Image

Feminism: A Moral Compass for Change?

Porn as Performance Art

From Canada:

Women Only Food Sites Open in Hati

Alcohol Ranked Most Harmful Drug

Youth Dating Violence Remains Problem

Rebelles Reader

From the Globe and Mail: Why Feminists Have Better Sex

SLUTWALK Fredericton - Because we've had enough!

SLUTWALK Fredericton is here! August 12th, 2011. We'll be meeting in the Tannery shortly before 8pm for the walk.

But why?
On January 24th 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police Force gave the public insight to how they really feel about victims of sexual assault by stating women should "avoid dressing like sluts".

Historically the term "slut" has held negative connotations and been used to shame women (and men) for their sexual practices. And whether it has been used as a serious insult of character, or an everyday insult among friends, the intent behind the word is malicious, so we're taking it back. We are re-claiming "slut".

We live in a society where we teach young women to protect themselves against rape, and to expect sexual assault at every corner. Our strategies need to change. The dialogue needs to switch from "don't get raped" to "do not rape". Young women need to be taught "it's OK to say no".

Slutwalk is a demonstration, a way for us (men and women alike) to take back the word "slut", to not feel pressured into sex because of what we're wearing. A low cut top is not an invitation.

Let's put an end to "slut-shaming."

Slutwalk is an anti-bullying, anti-rape demonstration. It's about educating people to respect boundaries.

It's about freedom of expression, it's about feeling safe when you're out at the club having fun. It's about freedom of choice and sexuality.

The facebook event page can be found here.

Thank you

I wanted to post a brief update about the rally yesterday. 

About 13 people were in attendance including Dominic Cardy the provincial NDP leader, Bill Frasier, the MLA for Miramichi and Nick Scott from AIDS NB.  WE were able to speak to a media representative who took statements and pictures from the event.

The Liberal oppsoition released the following statement after the event:

June 29, 2011

Status of Women advocacy needed now more than ever: Liberals

FREDERICTON – As women gather outside the provincial Legislature to protest the loss of sexual health clinic services for those ages 20-24, it’s clear that an independent, arms’ length advocacy group for women is needed now more than ever, Victor Boudreau, Leader of the Official Opposition Liberals, says.

“If ever we’ve needed the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, it is now,” Boudreau commented. “The Status of Women council was that independent organization that could speak out on behalf of women against the government when it took the wrong path, as the Alward government did when it cut sexual health services to the age group that most needs those services.”

Opposition Health Critic Bill Fraser broke the news of the changes in sexual health services during the main estimates of the Department of Health during the last Legislative session. At that time, New Brunswickers learned that, despite what the Minister of Health described as an “epidemic” of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the government was eliminating sexual health services to women ages 20-24.

The Legislative Assembly also heard that three out of four doctors practising at a Fredericton sexual health clinic had resigned their positions in protest of the cut to services.

The interim Liberal leader suggests that had the Status of Women advisory council still been in existence, pressure could have been applied to avoid this bad decision from happening. The advisory council was eliminated by David Alward, despite his promise in his election platform to work with the group that he eliminated at the first opportunity.

“By eliminating the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, this government sought to silence the voices of women,” Boudreau charged.

“If the Status of Women council was still around, women would have a strong voice on this issue,” he added. “This is a prime example of why we’ve been calling on Minister (Margaret-Ann) Blaney to immediately reinstate funding to the Advisory Council.”

-30-

Media Contact: Hillary Casey, Office of the Official Opposition, (506) 453-2548, hillary.casey@gnb.ca

Rally in Support of Sexual Health Clinics

Where: In front of the legislative assembly house

What date: Wednesday, June 29

When: 8:00 am

Added details:  The provincial government has decided to decrease access to sexual health clinics in NB. This week the health minister is meeting with experts to discuss the ramifications of this decision at the provincial legislature in Fredericton. We hope to show the publicly discuss these same consequences and show support for these much needed, underfunded cornerstones of our health care system.