In a landmark challenge to traditional gender classification, the U.S. government has issued its first gender “X” passport for individuals who do not identify as male or female. Jessica Stern, U.S. special diplomatic envoy for LGBTQIA+ rights, called this move “historic” and “celebratory,” telling AP that this new designation will better align the U.S. government with the “lived realities” of queer people.  The U.S. State Department first announced plans for a third gender marker for nonbinary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people back in June as part of...

The process of rethinking your gender identity is complicated and not without hazards. But it is important that we take the time to think about it. As a French native speaker this journey was made very complicated by my own language. Thinking about my gender identity is easier in English and feels much more complicated than in French. But why is that? What are the specificities that make the French language so complicated to work with gender non-conforming identities? I did my research, and linguistics...

Lego announced earlier this week that it will remove gender bias from its toys, paving the way for more equal play.  This decision comes in light of new research commissioned by the LEGO Group which revealed that girls are increasingly curious about traditionally “male” toys and activities but that gender stereotypes continue to restrict their participation. As Lego stated, “research findings show that girls are ready for the world but society isn’t quite ready to support their growth through play.”  Lego’s study was conducted in collaboration with the...

Since its release, the 2013 music video for "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke has caused a ton of controversy due to the sexy portrayal of the half-naked models dancing. In her forthcoming book My Body, the 30-year-old model who featured in Thicke's music video, Emily Ratajkowski reveals that Thicke, 44, “grabbed her bare breasts” during the video’s filming. The book is set to be published on November 9th.   With its predatory-like lyrics, the song seemingly glorifies rape culture as Thicke claims that he wants to “domesticate”...

The National Women’s Soccer League team North Carolina Courage fired its head coach, Paul Riley, on Thursday in light of sexual abuse allegations made by several of Riley’s former players. Riley is now the third coach since August to be fired from the league because of misconduct, leading members of the NWSL Players’ Association to call for systematic change within the league. In a tweet on Thursday, the NWSLPA published a list of three demands for the NWSL, stating that, “We will no longer be complicit...

Since early September, many of us have been asking ourselves, what the f*ck is up with this Texas abortion ban? Over the last month, we’ve seen pro-choice activists protesting on and offline, trying to protect the rights we thought we'd nailed down since 1973. In anticipation of the October 2nd National Women’s March to defend reproductive rights, we have to talk about just how much the latest Texas abortion ban has been weaseling its way around Roe vs Wade, so much so that the Supreme Court...

  The National Inventors Hall of Fame in Alexandria, VA honors over 600 of America’s greatest inventors and engineers, living and deceased, who have patented an influential technology. Since its founding in 1973, the Hall of Fame has recognized a new class of innovators each year, with notable inductees including Thomas Edison, Beatrice Hicks, the Wright brothers, and Hedy Lamarr. Now, the Hall of Fame is starting to look a little less white, and a little less male. The non-profit announced this week that Marian Croak, Ph.D.,...

  Beloved children’s book and young adult fiction author Beverly Cleary was one of the most widely published writers in the world before her death this year, thanks in part to the enduring appeal of her spunky young heroine Ramona Quimby. Think you know how Beverly made history? Then take the quiz!-Emily Rems    Beverly was born and raised in this state, where most of her stories are set. a. New York b. Minnesota c. Oregon d. Texas   What was the title of Beverly’s first book, published in 1950? a. Henry Huggins b. Beezus and...

Amy Schumer is a survivor. The 40-year-old comedian and Trainwreck star shared in an Instagram post on Sunday that she had her uterus and appendix removed earlier this month to combat endometriosis.            View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by @amyschumer   Schumer first posted about her struggles with the disease in an Instagram video on September 18, the morning after her surgery. Still in her hospital bed, Schumer addressed her ongoing struggles with the disease and her gratitude for...

After years of misconduct and botched investigations, four American gymnasts shared an emotional testimony in the failed FBI investigation of former Team USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Nearly four years after the trial and sentencing of Larry Nassar, gold medalists Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, and Maggie Nichols spoke on behalf of themselves and nearly 500 victims of Nassar at the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, September 15th. The FBI was made aware of allegations against Nassar back in 2015 but failed to investigate...