From women on birth control being publicly referred to as “sluts,” to Michigan representative Lisa Brown being silenced on the House floor after referencing her vagina during an abortion debate, I think it’s safe to say the 2012 election season has been confusing, if not downright disturbing, for many women (and like-minded men). Yet, while comment boxes across the internet are blowing up about these issues and everyone tries to toss in their two cents on the present and future role of women in our country, Laura...

Today might mark the summer solstice, but for presumptive Republican Party nominee Mitt Romney, the date might borrow from a different holiday, Halloween, more than is usual for summertime campaign stops. That is to say that Romney should be planning for the predicted appearance of  Pillamina, Planned Parenthood's costumed avenger, at his Troy, Michigan, fundraiser tonight. According to the Planned Parenthood blog, Pillamina is making her ‘triumphant return’ to the public eye (after appearing last year to fight for co-pay-free birth control) in order to...

If you follow world news at all, you probably know that things look pretty bleak in Syria these days. The violence there is bloody and ongoing, and the international community seems unsure of the best way to restore a sense of stability. But a new documentary shows that there is another, more positive, revolution taking place in Syria, at least in regards to one woman’s efforts to educate young girls and to change attitudes about women’s relationship with Islam. The documentary is The Light in...

Larry Getlen at the New York Post interviewed Adam Carolla today to talk about his new book, which is about growing up in North Hollywood, and probably a lot of other things no one cares about. Today, he's saying a bunch of inflammatory stuff-- probably to try to gain some sort of cultural relevance other than his podcast or old show. One of those things is that women aren't funny. For a dude whose old TV show was based almost entirely on making fun of...

Now that it's not copacetic to throw the V-word around in the realm of American government, I decided to go ahead and make a short list of places where it is okay to use the word "vagina." Feel free to use this as a guide so that you don't startle any unexpected listeners. We don't know what the free use of anatomical terms could lead to, but some possibilities are: maturity, correctness, tolerance and, of course, anarchy.   1) The street. It's totally cool to use the...

The pint-sized Kameron Slade is probably one of the most adorable fifth-graders ever. And he’s also a frontrunner for most outspoken. A native of Queens, New York, the 10-year-old penned a powerful speech about the importance of marriage equality for same-sex couples. Not surprisingly, things got a little sticky for the opinionated elementary school student. Principal Beryl Bailey of P.S. 195 initially banned Slade from reading the speech at a schoolwide competition, calling it “inappropriate” according to a Huffington Post report.    Infuriated (and rightly so), his...

We’ve already learned that it’s pretty tough to be a woman in Michigan these days. But it turns out that vaginas aren’t the only thing that makes state lawmakers clutch their Bibles at night. Last week, Michigan legislators were hard at work passing House Bill 5040, also known as “First Do Harm”. The bill would excuse religious students in the state from providing psychological services to those who don’t hold their personal moral values. This means that vulnerable LGBT students and women who have undergone abortions (among...

Flappers knew how to get dolled up and keep it copacetic in the 20s, and today we love them just as much as they would have wanted us to. Besides partying and staying in style, these ladies created a whole new language so catchy that a lot of it stuck around until today. We all know that the Real McCoy is the cat’s pajamas, not to take any wooden nickels, and that no one likes a wet blanket. But do you know what “Butt me”...

  Brace yourselves ladies, because things in Michigan aren’t looking so great for women these days. The state House of Representatives voted Wednesday on a dramatic anti-choice bill that would impose severe regulations on abortion clinics. While we agree it’s best for women to have access to clean and safe facilities, many Democrats in Michigan argue this bill goes beyond simple inspection requirements and instead aims to regulate the clinics out of existence entirely. The bill passed 70-39, though it will not be taken up in...

Many gals out there are anxiously awaiting the June 22nd premiere of Pixar’s Brave. Starring a feisty red-headed archer named Merida (voiced by Kelly MacDonald), this doesn’t look like your typical prince-saves-helpless-damsel flick. This defiant princess is determined to live a life as free as her flowing curls. So, when a dreadful curse is set upon her family, Merida sets out to save the day.  But don’t think this little lady is the first chick out there to tote a quiver and know how to use...