Month: November 2016
lgbt @ the world today
Besides equal rights to marry, what are the LGBT community concerned about today?
https://www.buzzfeed.com/hfetter/7-lgbt-issues-that-matter-more-than-marriage-fk74
1. Queer and Trans* Youth Homelessness
40% of homeless youth identify as LGBT. 68% of those kids were kicked out of their families and homes because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and 54% reported being survivors of abuse from their families. These experiences leave these young people particularly vulnerable to mental and physical health issues, and lead to unfair criminalization of queer and trans* youth.
2. Violence Against Queer and Trans* People
There were 2,000 incidents of anti-LGBT hate violence in 2012. In the past few months, we’ve seen the murder of Islan Nettles (a trans* woman) and the shooting of Mark Carson (a gay man). In May, there were at least 7 anti-LGBT attacks in New York City alone.
3. Racial Justice
Many of the issues facing the general LGBT population are even worse for people of color. For example, LGBT people of color are almost twice as likely to experience physical violence, and 73.1% of all anti-LGBTQ homicide victims in 2012 were people of color. Islan Nettles and Mark Carson, the two victims of anti-queer violence this summer, were people of color. Violence is just one issue that is compounded by racial injustice — you can find racism at the root of every other issue on this list. Racial justice, or “the systematic fair treatment of people of all races, resulting in equal opportunities and outcomes for all,” is not specific to LGBT people, but true justice for LGBT people can’t be achieved if not all of us are liberated.
4. Immigrant Justice
An estimated 2.7% of our nation’s undocumented immigrants identify as LGBT. In fact, undocumented queer youth have been integral to building the immigration movement. Queer folks who are immigrants have multiple layers of experience living between literal and figurative borders, and can help us all dream beyond the current limitations of our immigration system. Additionally, the deportation and detention process for migrants is particularly pernicious for LGBT folks, who are often the subjects of harassment and abuse. A recent report from the National Center for Transgender Equality highlights the issues faced by trans* migrants in particular.
5. Health
There exist significant disparities in health between heterosexual and LGBT people. The Center for American Progress identified 14 health disparities between straight and LGBT adults in 2009. For example, 82% of heterosexual adults had health insurance, while only 77% of LGB adults, and 57% of transgender adults, had health insurance. Similarly, 83% of heterosexual adults reported excellent or very good health, compared to only 77% of LGB adults and 67% of transgender adults. The expansion of access to health care in the U.S. should be a priority of the LGBT movement, beyond accessing a spouse’s medical plan through legalized marriage.
6. Economic Justice
Despite the popular images of wealthy LGB celebrities, many queer and trans* people are low-income. Employment discrimination, lack of health insurance, homelessness, and other factors make LGBT people particularly vulnerable to the impact of economic inequality. Gay and lesbian families (especially the latter) are significantly more likely to be living below the poverty line than heterosexual married families, and children in gay and lesbian households are twice as likely to live in poverty as compared to children in homes with heterosexual parents. And given the legacy of racism in the U.S., the statistics are even worse for LGBT people of color.
7. Trans* Justice
Empowerment of trans* people must be central to the movement for LGBT justice. Many trans* people live in extreme poverty, and are almost four times more likely than heterosexual and LGB people to have a household income of less than $10,000 per year. 41% of trans* people have attempted suicide, compared to 1.6% of the general population. Trans* people are consistently abused, discriminated against, harassed, and assaulted. Too often, the “T” gets excluded from LGBT initiatives and campaigns. We have to realize that we can’t have LGBT/queer justice without trans* justice.
women @ the world today
what does a woman/girl care about?
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/9-key-issues-affecting-girls-and-women-around-the/
9 key issues affecting girls and women worldwide. Whether you’re new to the topic or a veteran advocate, this cheat sheet should help clarify what we mean when we talk about something as broad as girls’ and women’s issues.
1. Access to Education
A 2013 report by UNESCO found that 31 million girls of primary school age were not in school, and about one out of every four young women in developing countries had never completed their primary school education. That number represents a huge pool of untapped girl power: that same report suggests that educated women are more likely to get married later, survive childbirth, raise healthy kids, find work, and earn more money, among other positives.
2. Employment Opportunities
Even in a country as wealthy and developed as the US, women still experience major inequality in the workforce: By some estimates, women earn only $0.77 for every $1 earned by men. Globally, the gender gap is even wider: women earn only one tenth of the world’s income despite working two thirds of the total work hours . Empowering women to earn their fair share could benefit their entire communities in a big way: women are likely to invest more of their money back into their families and communities than men typically do .
3. Reproductive Health & Rights
225 million women in developing countries have an unmet need for family planning, contributing to 74 million unplanned pregnancies and 36 million abortions every year, according to figures cited by Women Deliver, a women’s advocacy group . Helping women take charge of their baby-making reduces unsafe abortions and maternal deaths by over 70% each, and conserves precious resources that would otherwise have gone toward pregnancy-related costs.
4. Maternal Health
The World Health Organization estimates that 800 women die every day from preventable, pregnancy-related causes. That’s nearly 300,000 lives per year needlessly lost during what is fundamentally a life-creating event. What more is there to say?
5. Gender-based Violence
1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes, according to WHO. Whether it’s domestic abuse, rape, or sexual trafficking, gender-based violence denies far too many women the opportunity to live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
6. Child Marriage
An estimated 140 million girls will become child brides between 2011 and 2020 . Girls who marry before age 18 are typically denied an education, at risk of complications related to premature childbearing, and more vulnerable to intimate partner violence.
7. Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation (or FGM), defined by WHO as including “procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons,” is a complex issue with religious and cultural implications for the groups who practice it. That said, the general consensus in the international community is that FGM imposes real health consequences, violates a child’s rights, and promotes inequality between the sexes.
8. Water & Sanitation
When clean drinking water and hygienic sanitation facilities are in short supply, women and girls suffer most. Case in point: Girls whose schools lack proper bathrooms will often skip school during their menstrual periods for fear of embarrassment or stigma. It’s also true that women in developing countries are frequently tasked with fetching water, which can be a time-consuming process. As my colleague Christina pointed out, the girls and women of the world have much better things to do with their time than shuttle buckets around.
9. Gender Equality
Equality (or the lack thereof) is a recurring issue when it comes to women and girls, whether it’s unequal access to schooling for girls in developing countries, or unequal pay for women in the workplace. In a world where 95% of countries are led by a male head of state, it’s clear that we as a global community have a long way to go before women are given a fair shake.
While the 9 issues outlined above are specific to girls and women, addressing them will positively impact everyone—even my fellow clueless men of the world. Stay tuned to Global Citizen all month as we explore the many ways in which a win for girls and women is a win for us all.
in a perfect world
In a perfect world, no girl or woman would be pregnant unless they wanted to be, could raise it and both mom and child would be safe. It’s not a perfect world, sadly.
When she is raped by family members or a stranger, she should have a safe opt out.
When she has a medical condition that should take her life if she remains pregnant, she should have an opt out.
When she is trying to get away from an abusive partner and can’t see how she can have his child. she should have a safe opt out.
When she is an addict and the fetus is unlikely to be born well, she should have a safe opt out.
When tests find the fetus is not viable, or will have a horrendous life of pain, she should have a safe opt out.
Times have changed to the point where we have pretty good birth control, but there are women who are indoctrinated against using it. Thing is they’re also the ones who are indoctrinated against abortion. That woman is stuck IMO
Bottom line, it’s not my place to regulate every woman’s choices. It’s her body and she has to live with the consequences.
So I make it my place to advocate for pro choice. Whatever I want doesn’t count. SHE needs to have all alternatives explained to her fairly and completely so she can decide what is best for her.
access to abortion in Canada and USA
http://www.scarleteen.com/article/advice/shes_under_18_how_can_she_get_an_abortion
The National Women’s Law Center has a fantastic page of legal issues regarding abortion access overall which is fantastic here. I want to outline some of what it includes about abortion access for minors, but you can take a look at that page yourself for more information.
Currently, 27 states require parental consent to abortion for women under 18. Those are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Parental consent means that a young women will have to have at least one parent or guardian give her permission in order to have an abortion, and that a doctor legally requires that permission in order to provide that woman with an abortion.
16 states restrict young women’s access to abortion by requiring parental notice. Those are Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, MN, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and West Virginia. Parental notice means that at least one parent or guardian of a young women will be notified about her abortion. She will not need their permission — in other words, even if they say she can’t have one, they cannot legally stop her from terminating — but her abortion cannot and will not be kept private from her parents or guardians.
In both cases, there is also something called a Judicial Bypass. That is the option for a young woman to go through the courts to obtain legal permission to have an abortion without parental notification or consent. To do that, she will need to first contact a local abortion provider to get information she needs on it. Then, she will have to hire an attorney and they’ll file her case. When her case comes up, it is a private hearing — there isn’t a jury or anything — and what the judge will do is make a determination on if she is mature enough to make her own decision about her pregnancy. This blog entry from has a fantastic, simple list, state-by-state, of a young woman’s first steps in seeking out a Judicial Bypass.
Obviously, going through the courts is hardly ideal. Terminating a pregnancy is a time-sensitive issue — and providers and states differ in terms of how late in a pregnancy they will do a termination — and sometimes court cases can take a while to come up. Even finding the money to pay the lawyer and any court fees can be tough, and the longer a woman waits to get an abortion, the more it costs, to boot. As well, some women don’t feel the same about abortion at all stages of a pregnancy. For example, a woman who feels comfortable terminating at six weeks may not feel the same way about terminating at 12 or 18 weeks. Some simply will not want to have to defend their right to make their own reproductive choices for any number of reasons.
Some states also have laws or policies around a minor being transported to another state for a procedure, and/or who transports the minor. As well, in some states it is unlawful for an adult who is not a relative of the minor, or does not have parental permission from a parent or guardian, to transport a minor out of state for any number of reasons.
What are the most important access issues being faced by girls and women in Canada? And please explain how access issues are impacted by location, culture, age, status, etc.
I think the issue of reproductive access in Canada is a fascinating one for two reasons: 1) many folks in large urban Canadian cities and outside of Canada see the country as a ‘prochoice beacon’ – a place where the debate has ended and abortion is accessible; and 2) those folks are incredibly wrong.
Whether you have access to abortion in Canada is completely dependent on your geographic location and your privilege within Canadian society. For anyone outside major urban centres, access is anything but straight forward. I’ll use PEI as a devastating example. If you’re in Charlottetown and require an abortion, you must leave the island due to restrictive provincial legislation. You can try to go to Halifax or Moncton where there are two hospitals who will see PEI residents but there are a lot of obstacles in your way. First, there is the need for transportation on and off the island. Keeping in mind that you cannot drive immediately following an abortion, you either need a support person to drive you or use public transport. That’s if the weather allows you to leave the island – the Confederation Bridge often shuts down during high winds and storms (so consider the winter months). You can fly, but it will cost you. If you drive yourself or take public transport, but you may need to consider accommodations. You have to consider days off from work. And all of this is running on the assumption that you even get an appointment before the week limit. The only other option is to travel to Clinic 554, the only private healthcare facility in the Maritimes that offers abortion in addition to other inclusive and reproductive justice focused healthcare. You still must contend with all of the aforementioned barriers, in addition to the $700-850 price for the procedure due to lack of public healthcare funding.
We also have to consider small town shame and stigma around abortion. That’s not to say that large urban centres don’t have these same concerns, but it’s easier to find other modes of support and non-judgmental, like-minded folks.
Now, imagine all of these access concerns amplified because of intersecting identities. For example, imagine how difficult it would be for a trans/gender diverse person to access care when their reproductive healthcare is delegitimized by healthcare practitioners or they feel unwelcome in ‘cis women centered’ facilities. Think about the historical and current discrimination and oppression faced by Indigenous women and how this significantly impacts access to healthcare today. Or any other form of marginalization including, but not limited to, race/ethnicity, ability, body size, religious affiliation, gender identity and expression, and sexual attraction (orientation).The more oppressive identities you have, the more barriers you face.
not every woman
is white
is urban
is college or univ educated
is raised in a secular environ
is independent of thought and belief
is living in North America
is even an adult!
has access to good, safe medical care/support she can afford
has friends/support outside her immediate family/neighbours
. . .
so given the same choice,
not every woman would make the same one.
So when she comes to you, don’t be pushy when she tells you she is pregnant and alone. Help her think it thru.
It’s HER choice, not yours!!!
That’s what is fundamental about pro choice. If she faces the consequences, it’s her call to make.
a woman’s right to choose
It’s my position that since the woman is the one who has to face the consequences to her body and her social and financial environment, then she is the one who should be the **final and loudest** voice heard on what she does.
I ask only that she be educated as to the truth of her options and instead of judging her choice, she is understood and made safe as possible.
## **trolling gets you deleted and blocked!!**
## here are a woman’s choices
Anticipated Physical Side Effects Following An Abortion
The following is a list of side effects that are frequently experienced after an abortion. It is possible to experience these side effects for as long as 2 to 4 weeks following the procedure.
Abdominal pain and cramping
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Spotting and bleeding
Potential And More Serious Complications Following An Abortion
Although serious complications occur in fewer than 1 out of 100 first trimester abortions and approximately 1 out of every 50 late termabortions, it is important to be aware of the following risks:
Heavy or persistent bleeding
Infection or sepsis
Damage to the cervix
Scarring of the uterine lining
Perforation of the uterus
Damage to other organs
Death
It is important to understand that these risks are rare and that some of these risks are associated with child birth. What matters is that you are aware that these risks exist as you strive to make an informed decision about your pregnancy.
What Are The Types Of Potential Emotional And Psychological Sides Effects Following An Abortion?
The following is a list of potential emotional and psychological risks of having an abortion. The intensity or duration of these effects will vary from one person to another.
Potential side effects include:
Regret
Anger
Guilt
Shame
Sense of loneliness or isolation
Loss of self confidence
Insomnia or nightmares
Relationship issues
Suicidal thoughts and feelings
Eating disorders
Depression
Anxiety
depression, anxiety, insomnia or excessive sleep, loss of appetite or excessive appetite, personality disturbances, vague fears and doubts, loss of self-confidence, strong feelings of rejection, regret at having surrendered their baby for adoption, and feeling that they have ‘destroyed’ their child by surrendering him for adoption. They may have attempted suicide.
http://justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/fv-vf/fm-mf/p2.html
http://www3.uakron.edu/schulze/401/readings/singleparfam.htm
poverty stats – in USA, 60 % of single mom families are poor vs 11% of duo-parent families are poor.
http://www.priestsforlife.org/preaching/never.html
Together with the fact that abortion is a mortal sin, it should also be understood that an abortion brings an automatic excommunication upon those who procure it, perform it, or cooperate in it. The purpose of the excommunication is not to reject anyone, but precisely to HELP people understand how evil abortion is, and help them to turn away from it.
Click to access Jims_Statistics_on_Teenage_Pregnancy_11-11-06.pdf
http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/410/113.html
Roe vs Wade 1973
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/505/833/case.html
Planned Parenthood vs Casey 1991
## add on
[
highest risks of pregnancy
http://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/risk-factors#RiskFactors1
prior to 20 and post 35 yrs of age
[dr henry morgentaler- Canadian abortion rights advocate][http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/a-crusader-s-legacy-how-henry-morgentaler-changed-canada-s-laws-1.1369361]
Canada’s abortion rights journey began under Pierre Elliott Trudeau (current Prime Minister Justin’s father. Justin is pro choice)
since the topic was raised in the comments, here’s a definition of
## eu·gen·ics
or genetic manipulation/sorting
yo͞oˈjeniks/Submit
noun
the science of improving a human population by controlled breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics. Developed largely by Francis Galton as a method of improving the human race, it fell into disfavor only after the perversion of its doctrines by the Nazis.
I hate politics but…
political/religious discussions & me
You might ask why I hardly EVER participate in political or religious discussions.
I am a libertarian.
I want the govt (if it exists at all) to focus on things like infrastructure and international goals like mediation between countries, the environment and int’l ethics in science and technology.
I want a safety net for the elderly, children and the frail. But not one that dehumanizes them. Not one that excludes them. And most definitely not one that institutionalizes them, except as a last resort. Besides, it cost a fortune to incarcerate.
I want a system of second chances when it comes to families, addicts and offenders. One that is more medical/therapeutic than imprisonment.
I am a complimentary or para-health worker. I don’t always agree with Western Medicine. It’s too pill and surgery focused. Most people can and should be managed with other choices and I advocate for that.
I’m an adult and I should be able to make my own life choices and still get community support, as long as I am not harming someone else by them.
I want harm more clearly defined.
I want consent more clearly defined.
I am an anarchist
I do NOT under ANY circumstances bow or pray to a symbol that pushes patriarchy on me or my daughter. That may be the church/temple or the state. I do NOT sing their songs, pray their prayers, respect their flags or other symbols. Some might find that offensive.
I do NOT follow the main “churches” of my country, so I expect them to tolerate or accept that I have as much freedom as they do to hold my beliefs dear.
I think Policing should be more social work than guardian or militant.
I am a pacifist
This means no disrespect to those who serve. But the military costs a freaking fortune and is a divisive system. It is also patriarchal. Women are finally getting a toe in…
I also am anti-weapon or anti-gun. If I were at the top power of the world, I’d destroy them all. There is no good reason why a citizen should have a hand gun or a multi-shot rifle. If they never hunt, why would they have any rifle at all? The only rifles that exist should be in the hands of police, military and hunters. I do NOT mean those who hunt game. I mean those who want to feed their family.
I think the military can be used for far better purpose than combative ones.
I am a panentheist
I do not belong to any church or temple. I believe in God. As the creator of the universe. Neither male nor female. But something beyond our understandingobviously. I do NOT push my beliefs on anyone and expect the same courtesy/tolerance.
I am a domme
But I did begin my bdsm study as a submissive. It was a bad fit. I never did learn to trust enough and the little I had was abused. Besides, though my childhood tried to instill that into me, it never took. I still love what I love and it’s bdsm. So I fulfilled my domme self by crossing the floor/slash.
It seems at times, people have difficulty understanding my POV. Or maybe they are so used to people who want to change them that they can’t grasp that I have no intention, other than to understand them. It’s why I majored in human arts . I have an insatiable curiousity. I love to hear people’s stories.
at least trump understands trade
Whether it’s marketing;
or understanding that he can’t expect people with more democratic views to be his new best buddy if he runs around undoing the work they want done;
he will get that the G8 are his major allies and trade partners. So here are their ratings when surveyed on LGBT rights and attitudes.
In a global trade village, as it is today, you need to have a good will policy with your trade partners and the world.
[United Nations][http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Discrimination/Pages/LGBTUNResolutions.aspx]
G8 countries – [country – place on list]
[Canada – 3][http://www.equaldex.com/region/canada] ,
[France – 8][http://www.equaldex.com/region/france] ,
[Germany- 2][http://www.equaldex.com/region/germany] ,
[Italy – 7][http://www.equaldex.com/region/italy] ,
[Japan – 15][http://www.equaldex.com/region/japan]
[Russia – 25][http://www.equaldex.com/region/russia]
[United Kingdom – 6][http://www.equaldex.com/region/united-kingdom] [United States -13][http://www.equaldex.com/region/united-states]
IMO he will face censure min if not sanction if he takes back those won grounds. Even among Americans.
mspeachierocks 
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