Category: Activism

Babe Monthly: What’s happening in Texas and what we can do about it

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By Emily Park

At Catcall, we’re all about turning catcalling on its head and calling out the patriarchy with stories that inspire the shes, theys, and gays and highlight the work that needs to be done to dismantle systemic inequalities. 

We put together Babe Monthly to highlight the major headlines, stories, and stats—good and bad—in feminist news that have surfaced over the last month. The mission of this monthly column is to highlight the challenges we face in the fight for women’s, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC rights, while uplifting and empowering our readers with the work that’s being done—and the amazing people who are doing that work. 

These last couple of weeks have been some of the most challenging weeks in the reproductive rights movement we have experienced in a long time. While we usually spend a couple of hours scouring headlines for the best feminist news that has come up in the last month, it’s hard to focus on anything but the abortion ban that went into effect in Texas on Sept. 1.

Banning abortions from taking place around six weeks after conception—before many individuals even know they are pregnant—the Texas law doesn’t include any exemptions for cases of rape or incest. The law is the strictest abortion ban to go into effect in the United States.

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New National SASH Club Program Empowers Youth to Confront Sexual Harassment and Assault

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By Nicole Mitchell

When I was in high school, I was sexually harassed. This boy, a year older than me, would follow me around school daily, which made me uncomfortable. One time I even remember him pretending to drop something so he could look up my skirt. Actually, I wasn’t the only person he did that to. There were plenty of other young high school girls going through the same thing because of this person. At the time, there was nothing I could do about it. I was confused and had nowhere to go.

This has to change, and thankfully, there are programs being put in place that will help young people understand what sexual harassment really is and take a stand against it today. Stop Sexual Assault in Schools has created and launched its new initiative SASH Club to empower youth ages 13+ to take action against sexual harassment and assault.

SASH Club provides a set of free online, ready-to-use tools on their website for teens of all genders, races, ethnicities, and orientations to start the discussion and educate themselves and others about sexual harassment and assault, support survivors, and make real change in their schools and communities.

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Babe Monthly: August — Olympic highlights; Texas’ near total abortion ban; The Cuomo report; and more

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By Emily Park

At Catcall, we’re all about turning catcalling on its head and calling out the patriarchy with stories that inspire the shes, theys, gays and highlight the work that needs to be done to dismantle systemic inequalities. We’re proud to bring you the July edition of Babe Monthly with the major headlines, stories, and stats in feminist news that have surfaced over the last month. 

STORIES & ACHIEVEMENTS

What US shotputter Raven Saunders’ Olympic podium protest means for her and her message to the world

The 25-year-old has spoken out about her identities as a Black queer woman who has struggled with issues of mental health and views herself as at that intersection personally. In an interview with NBC, the Olympian explained her gesture as representative of “the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet.” Read more here.

These lady motorcyclists rule New Orleans, and are now the faces of Rihanna’s latest Savage X Fenty Collection

The Caramel Curves are an all Black-female motorcycle crew based in New Orleans, Louisiana, and are front and center in this latest campaign. Read more here.

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Babe Monthly: July — State abortion law wins; transgender rights; #FreeBritney & more

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By Emily Park

At Catcall, we’re all about turning catcalling on its head and calling out the patriarchy with stories that inspire the shes, theys, gays and highlight the work that needs to be done to dismantle systemic inequalities. We’re proud to bring you the July edition of Babe Monthly with the major headlines, stories, and stats in feminist news that have surfaced over the last month. 

THE ROAD TO EQUALITY….

THE GOOD

VA to cover gender-confirmation surgery for transgender veterans for the first time

During a Pride Month event in Orlando, Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough announced that for the first time in history, the department will offer gender-confirmation surgery to veterans through its healthcare coverage. The change is expected to go through within the next two years. Read more here.

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Babe Weekly: The Symbolism of Sarah Everard’s murder, Michelle Obama, the relationship between COVID, race, and gender & more

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By Emily Park

At Catcall, we’re all about turning catcalling on its head and calling out the patriarchy with stories that inspire the shes, theys, gays and highlight the work that needs to be done to dismantle systemic inequalities. We’re proud to bring you the Babe Weekly with the latest headlines, stories, and stats in feminist news.

The road to equality

Arkansas Passes Near-Total Abortion Ban — And A Possible ‘Roe V. Wade’ Test 

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed one of the country’s most restrictive abortion bans into law on March 9. The bill — which could challenge Roe v. Wade — prohibits all abortions except in cases where terminating a pregnancy is necessary preserve the life of the pregnant person Read more here.

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