feminist news round-up 27.02.16
Image: Daniel Lobo
King: ‘I refuse to support someone I don’t believe in’
Elizabeth King writes an interesting piece for Salon stating that, as a leftist feminist,she has made the choice not to vote in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Having been told that she’s ungrateful for her right to vote and anti-patriotic, King notes that ‘we don’t have to support someone we don’t believe in’ as the lesser of two evils. Thoughts?
Conservative politicians rip into Safe Schools program
Australian politicians have been criticised for dangerous talk surrounding the Safe Schools Coalition, a program created by the government to minimise the bullying of LGBTI teenagers. The initiative has been highly criticised in recent weeks by conservative politicians, including Cory Bernardi who described children being ‘prematurely sexualised’ by the program, as well as the Australian Christian Lobby. PM Malcolm Turnbull has bowed to pressure and ordered a review into the program due in March.
Caitlyn Jenner is the new face of MAC
Caitlyn Jenner has announced on her Instagram that she has partnered with MAC Cosmetics. The proceeds of sales of the ‘Finally Free’ lipstick will go towards assisting transgender charities, with the lipstick due to be released in April. MAC’s announcement of the partnership described Jenner as representative of ‘courage, fearlessness, honesty and compassion’.
AFL announces 10-game women’s exhibition series for 2016
The AFL has announced that 10 women’s exhibition games will be played across Australia this year. The series will provide players, including those in state academies as well as representing their state, with the opportunity to shine before the planned launch of the national women’s league in 2017. Broadcast details have yet to be finalised but at the very least, audio coverage will be available on the AFL website.
Boy wins ‘Girls in Tech’ competition…what?
A British competition by EDF Energy designed to encourage young girls into STEM has been slammed, after the award was given to a 13-year-old boy. The ‘Pretty Curious’ program was ‘initially’ created for young girls, but later opened to all 11 to 16-year-olds according to the company. The campaign was also criticised by women working in STEM for focusing on girls’ looks rather than their intelligence.
70-year-old asylum seeker begs Immigration Minister not to be returned to Nauru
A 70-year-old Iranian woman and asylum seeker currently residing in Australia has pleaded with Immigration Minister Peter Dutton not to be returned to detention on Nauru with her two adult children. According to medical records, she suffers from severe chronic pain, fevers and nightmares. Her son fears that she will die in detention without the medical care she requires, which was the reason she was transferred to Darwin from the island last year.
