Demanding Diversity

Oklahoma Lawmaker Justin Humphrey proposed a law that would require a man's approval before a woman is eligible to get an abortion. He referred to women as "hosts" in his defense of the bill, stating that women offer up their bodies when engaging in "irresponsible behavior" that can lead to pregnancy.  “I believe one of the breakdowns in our society is that we have excluded the man out of all of these types of decisions,” he said. “I understand that they feel like that is their body,” he said of women. “I feel like it is a separate — what I call them is, is you’re a ‘host.’ And you know when you enter into a relationship you’re going to be that host and so, you know, if you pre-know that then take all precautions and don’t get pregnant,” he explained. “So that’s where I’m at. I’m like, hey, your body is your body and be responsible with it. But after you’re irresponsible then don’t claim, well, I can just go and do this with another body, when you’re the host ...

Texas decided they wanted to tell people where they can pee, because that is working out so well for North Carolina.  The transphobic "Texas Privacy Act", summoned by Gov. Dan Patrick, otherwise known as Senate Bill 6 was filed early January by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst R-Brenham.  If passed, Senate Bill 6 will overturn local nondiscrimination ordinances in cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. Patrick said Thursday that the Texas Privacy Act “stops local cities from passing policy that allows men in ladies' rooms.” Bec ause a transitioning male-to-female belongs in the men's room, right?  Because a transitioning female-to-male belongs in the ladies' room, right?  Why are we policing bathrooms? It's as if we literally do not have anything better to do than worry about where people pee. That is what bathrooms are for. Though Republicans think transgender people are plotting to use their gendered restroom of choice to sacrifice a strai...

#HoldTight "Even in 2017, the simple act of holding hands is still difficult for some people - let's change that and  #HoldTight  anz.com/holdtight" This beautiful campaign illustrates the difference between acceptance in America and other countries. This campaign is spreading across both Australia and New Zealand after a study was conducted to gather information on how people viewed the simple act of holding hands.  "Among the findings was that the vast majority of people agree that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, should feel comfortable showing affection in public by holding hands. However, the research found this was not always the case in reality."  Many felt as though the public display of affection was still taboo based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.  "We’re aiming to highlight what is a gesture that is difficult for many in the LGBTQIA community and turn it into a celebration of l...

American Girl is living up to demands for more diversity within their line of dolls. Julie Parks, director of public relations at American Girl, said parents and kids have been asking for dolls with  “more experiences, more diversity, more interests.” Parents can celebrate, we are now seeing gender inclusion as well as race.  American Doll plans to release a new line in 2017. Including Logan Everett, a boy who plays drums alongside his friend Tenney Grant, a singer-songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee.    Who said boys can't play with dolls, much less be one? 

As Lin-Maniel Miranda said in his acceptance speech for Best Score for Hamilton, " We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger.  We rise and fall, and light from dying embers. Remembrances that hope and love last longer.  And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love;  Cannot be killed or swept aside."  Lush Cosmetics followed with their display of same-sex couples in their 2017 Valentines Days campaign. The brand posted on their social media with the hashtag #loveislove, featuring same-sex couples enjoying its new range of Valentines Day products.  t is no secret that Lush Cosmetics has a firm stance in support of LGBTQIA rights.  Social media boomed with support of their new campaign. 

Happy day for inclusion in the media! French Vogue featured Brazil's Valentina Sampaio on the cover of its March 2017 issue.  Valentina is featured wearing Yves St. Laurent on the cover with the words in white bold "La Beaute' Transgenre" which translate into English as "The Transgender Beauty."  The headline (translated into English) says  “Transgender beauty: How they’re shaking up the world,” which is such an inspiring stance for French Vogue to take. Vogue decided to take on gender representation in the best way possible with this beautiful cover and spread.  Representation for  the transgender community is crucial.  French  Vogue  editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt spoke to American  Vogue and explained  that they are spotlighting inequalities based in gender representation. “This cover is about the importance of [human] rights, and that we still need to make progress on an awful lot of stuff,” Alt says....

Ghost in the Shell began as an animated Japanese sic-film in the 90's. Dreamworks' has decided to make a live-action remake due to release in March of 2017. One problem, the lead role is clearly supposed to be Japanese.... and they casted Scarlet Johansson as the lead (spoiler alert, she's white). Major Motoko Kusanagi is a secret agent that is supposed to take down a mysterious hacker. Below is  an image of the comparison between the animated version of the character and Scarlett. See the problem? Director Rupert Sanders doesn't. He responded to criticism of his casting of Scarlett b y saying "I think whenever you cast someone, someone's going to be critical of it. To me, I stand by my decision. She's the best actress of her generation, and I was flattered and honored that she would be in this film. So many people that were around the original anime have been vehemently in support of her because she's incredible, and there are very few people lik...

I feel like someone is inevitably going to read this and immediately become offended at the notion that the television series Friends was anything less than the greatest thing to bless our TV screens. Hate to burst this fandom's bubble.... but Friends was boring. Not even even just boring. It was one-note, incredibly bland, lacking in all diversity while at the same time being overly cliche' and overdone. Whew, there, I said it. Let's see, there was Phoebe, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Monica, and Joey. All middle class, suburban white New Yorkers living in the 90's. The show was on for ten years before it ended in 2004. If I am going to be completely honest, I haven't seen the whole series. I didn't necessarily deem it necessary. I got through a couple of seasons before I decided this series wasn't for me. I just get so tired of seeing skinny white women on my computer screen. I don't want to see Rachel and Monica. I want to see something different...