feminist news round-up 03.03.16

First female field umpire at an AFL-level game
In another step forward for women in AFL, Eleni Glouftsis became the first female field umpire to referee a game at AFL level on Sunday. Although it was only a pre-season match, the game between Carlton and Essendon at Ikon Park began with the opening bounce taken by Glouftsis. As a rookie umpire, she will serve as an emergency throughout the season.

Liberal MP uses maiden speech to criticise those who ‘peddle prejudice’
Joe Hockey’s replacement in Parliament, openly gay Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman, has used his maiden speech to support the Safe Schools Coalition, which is currently being torn to shreds by his party. Zimmerman noted that he had rejected advice to avoid bringing up the issue in his speech.  Zimmerman also stated that he would cross the floor to vote yes for same-sex marriage in the future.

South Dakota governor vetoes anti-transgender bathroom bill
The governor of South Dakota, Dennis Daugaard has vetoed a bill that would have required transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms matching the gender on their birth certificates. The conservative Daugaard was lobbied by celebrity transgender activists, including Caitlyn Jenner, and confirmed that the conservative philosophy of ‘preserving local control’ justified his decision.

Australian author wins U.S. non-fiction prize
Australian author Helen Garner has won the Windham-Campbell Prize for Non-Fiction. Funnily enough, she discovered she had won the award (and the US$150,000 prize money) when she checked the junk inbox of her e-mail, initially thinking it was a hoax. Garner has written three non-fiction books on lengthy court cases over the past 20 years, as well as a number of fiction novels.

Mothers forced to breastfeed in the bathroom at the Oscars
It has been revealed that new mothers attending the Oscars this year were forced to express milk in the bathroom. The LA Times reported seeing actor Tom Hardy pacing the lobby, who then told reporters that he was waiting for his wife Charlotte Ridley to express milk. Totally fine for Seth MacFarlane to sing that horrific song about boobs as an Oscars host a few years back though, right?

Burney set to become the first indigenous woman elected to the federal House
Linda Burney is set to make history in potentially becoming the first indigenous woman elected to the federal House of Representatives. She is currently NSW Labor’s deputy leader and has confirmed she will seek pre-selection for the seat of Barton. Although the seat is currently held by a Liberal MP, a boundary change last year has turned the seat to Labor with a 5.4% margin.