A win for reproductive rights

Even a small victory is a victory as reproductive rights continue to be a source of controversy. Last week, The Center for Reproductive Rights succeeded in blocking an Oklahoma law slated to take effect on November 1st. The new law would require that abortion providers fill out a lengthy questionnaire that asks a series of irrelevant questions about private matters for every woman seeking an abortion.The law also allows for demographic information on those receiving abortions to be posted publicly.

A New York Times editorial aptly notes that "the law’s purpose is political. Its real aim is to persuade doctors to stop performing abortions by placing new burdens on their practice, to intimidate and shame women, and to stigmatize a legal medical procedure that one in three women have at some point in their lives." Protecting the privacy with which abortions must be associated to protect women and their doctors is essential to protecting a woman's right to choose. -Sara

A sexy Halloween

It's Halloween again, which means sexist, racist costumes for women aplenty. Last year, we commented on the fact that sexy Halloween costumes--which, let's face it, make up the vast bulk of pre-packaged costumes available for women--are marketed as a surefire way to garner rapt male attention. While we could reiterate the problems with casting women as shiny, sparkly sex objects that exist for male pleasure, this Halloween we decided to let the worst--and strangest--five costumes we could find speak for themselves:

1. The sexy "Asian school girl" costume. What's hotter than an underage harajuku fetish?  

2. The "Ella Mental" costume. The accompanying description includes the not-so-subtle rape drug reference that "even when over medicated, this patient is tons of fun."

3. The "Poke My Hontas" costume. Buyers are urged to "take a turn on his peace pipe" when they wear this essentialist Native American garb.

4. The "Robyn Da Hood" costume. Sexy gangster meets English folklore? At least buyers will "steal hearts and money from the wealthy" and "give a little extra to the poor" with this get-up.

5. The "Busty Busted Police" costume. It's sexy and clever!

-Naomi