Walking on a cloud

The problem with sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, classist, ableist, etc., remarks and “jokes” is not that they’re offensive, but that by relying for their meaning on harmful cultural narratives about privileged and marginalized groups they reinforce those narratives, and the stronger those narratives are, the stronger the implicit biases with which people are indoctrinated are. That’s real harm, not just “offense.

—I Don’t Care If You’re Offended by Scott Madin (via fillingthespaces)

(via vaginaexercise)

Ugly is irrelevant. It is an immeasurable insult to a woman, and then supposedly the worst crime you can commit as a woman. But ugly, as beautiful, is an illusion. A matter of taste, a whim, an eye, a beholder, an opinion, a spin, light crossing the frame, paint, projection. The moment. Context.

—Margaret Cho (via theseasonofthewitch)

(Source: quote-book, via mollycaenwyn)

sameone:

“…The Department of Commerce reports that the indexed price of fresh fruits and vegetables has increased by 40% since 1980, whereas the indexed price of sodas has declined by about 30%.

Fast food, snacks, and sodas are cheap.  Fruits and vegetables are not.

Without access to healthful foods, people cannot eat healthfully.  But access alone cannot reverse obesity.

The real issue is poverty.  Unless we do something to reduce income inequality, and to make healthier foods more affordable, fixing the access problem is unlikely to produce measurable results on its own.” - Marion Nestle

(via sociolab)

gaywrites:

Yesterday the U.S. Senate passed the first version of the Violence Against Women Act to include specific protections for LGBT survivors of domestic violence.

The law was first enacted in 1994 but has never included language that specifically aided LGBT communities. The law will give more resources to programs for investigating and prosecuting in cases of domestic violence and support victim service programs as well. The law passed in the Senate 68-31, and the House will likely vote in May.

According to Sharon Stapel of the Anti-Violence Project, 25%-35% of same-sex relationships are marked by domestic violence and abuse, which is about the same rate as other relationships. However, LGBT domestic violence victims have fewer supportive services, and they often face discrimination when seeking help. This latest reauthorization ensures that all people are able to access services regardless of his or her actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

“To be the target of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking is terrifying and traumatic,” National Gay and Lesbian Task Force executive director Rea Carey said in a statement issued shortly after the vote. “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are not immune from this violence, and their distress should not be further heightened by a lack of proper response from service providers or law enforcement. Imagine being assaulted, scared and in pain — and then being turned away from receiving basic services and care. No one should ever be subjected to such inhumane treatment.”

There’s been a lot of buzz around this bill in general, but it’s really important to acknowledge how it goes somewhere totally new for LGBT communities. We will certainly see how this unfolds - hopefully for the better.