Going To A Same-Sex School Doesn’t Protect You From Sexual Harassment

Today, Charlotte Avery, a headmistress of an all girls’ school, suggested that girls who attend same-sex schools are better equipped to deal with sexual harassment.

As someone who went to a girls’ school for the majority of their education, I just can’t see where she’s coming from.

Saying, “I think that there isn’t any sense of it being normalised, because they don’t see it, because it is simply not there” just makes no sense, whatsoever.

Yes, within the confines of her school walls, these girls probably do not encounter sexual harassment, but they do not live in a bubble. Once outside, there is no doubt that these young women will come face-to-face with sexual harassment.

There are two occasions that are burned in my mind – being backed into a corner on a bus by a man on my way to school, frozen from fear, not understanding why he didn’t stop talking to me when I told him I was 14, and waiting at a bus stop on my way home from school a year later and a man masturbating while staring at me. Neither of these experiences were easier to deal with because it wasn’t a “normalised” behaviour at my school.

How many stories do you hear from grown up women about the time they were cat-called in school uniform, that they were followed home by someone after school, that they were told to “give us a smile”? These experiences don’t only happen to students at mixed schools and these grown up women still often find themselves struggling to come to terms with it. I bet if you asked the ones who do raise their voices or contact someone for help, they wouldn’t put it down to their time at a same-sex school.

Young women may also face sexual harassment outside of school from their peer group – I remember being at parties and boys commenting on girls’ bodies to their faces, trying to touch their breasts and telling girls to “get back in the kitchen and make me a sandwich”.

It does not matter what age you are, or what type of school you go to, women and girls have always (and probably will for a very long time) faced sexual harassment.

But it’s not only that. Avery’s comments seemed to be based on the recent YouGov poll that one in three 16-18 year olds have experienced unwanted sexual touching at school. While this is undoubtedly a problem, the research does not specify that this was completely perpetrated by male students, or happened solely in mixed schools. We cannot assume that sexual harassment does not happen at single sex schools. To think so is naive. The research also examined verbal sexual harassment. 71% of people had heard girls called names and branded “sluts” at school. This is still sexual harassment and is endemic in girls’ schools.

Finally, it seems that Avery is suggesting same-sex schools are a viable solution to sexual harassment, and this, I think, is the most damaging part of it all. Sexual harassment does not only originate from men towards women, so on a literal level, this ‘solution’ would not work. The idea that a same-sex school is a “privileged space” where sexual harassment does not happen is wrong and does so much to undermine the experiencing that many girls around the country are currently experiencing.

Avery says she thinks girls are “surprised” when they hear about sexual harassment, but I think she ignores the reality that girls and women all over the world face. Sadly, no woman will ever be surprised or see harassment as an anomaly.

I can’t remember the first time I experienced sexual harassment but it was definitely while I was at an all girls’ school – and I most certainly was not equipped for it.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/going-to-a-same-sex-school-doesnt-protect-you-from-sexual-harassment_uk_5a1455a5e4b0c335e997b8c1

‘True Blood’ Star Comes Out, Announces Engagement on Instagram

True Blood star Rutina Wesley, who played Tara Thornton on the HBO series, came out of the closet this week and announced her engagement in a series of Instagram posts.

Wesley has been slowly revealing the relationship with her fiancee, a chef based in New Orleans, who goes by the Insta name Chef Shonda.

Finally, three days ago Wesley posted a gallery of photos with a fiery poem: “LOLITA….Lolita….LIGHT of my LIFE….LIGHT of my LIFE…FIRE of my LOINS… FIRE of my LOINS…MY SIN….My SIN….MY SOUL…My SOUL….The tip of the TONGUE….the tip of the TONGUE….Takes a trip down the PALETTE…. takes a trip down the PALETTE….To tap lightly at THREE….To Tap LIGHTLY At THREE….LO…Lo…LI…Li…TA…T”

The gallery ended with a photo of a hand bearing an engagement ring.

The post ‘True Blood’ Star Comes Out, Announces Engagement on Instagram appeared first on Towleroad.

‘True Blood’ Star Comes Out, Announces Engagement on Instagram

Barbers To Offer Free Haircuts To Elderly Men In Campaign To Tackle Loneliness

International Men’s Day (19 Nov) might be over, but that doesn’t mean conversations around men’s mental health should cease to exist.

To tackle loneliness in the lead up to Christmas, barbers across the country are being encouraged to offer free haircuts to elderly men in their community.

As part of the Shave The Day campaign, in aid of Age UK, barbers are being encouraged to provide complimentary services to older men on 7 December to help them feel less isolated during the festive period.

According to Age UK, almost one million people aged 60 and over feel more lonely at Christmas time, with those who are single, separated or widowed feeling it the most.

What’s more, research from earlier this year suggested that loneliness and social isolation might be worse for public health than obesity.

Luke Dolan, owner of Luke’s Barbershop in east London, is one of the barbers taking part in the campaign. He said: “As our communities change around us, like pubs closing, community centres shutting and halls closing their doors, our habitat is changing and our elderly suffer because of it.

“Barbershops are opening up at an amazing rate and they have community spirit at their very heart. That’s why I want to play my little part in bringing back some of these community values and get people talking to each other, young or old.”

To coincide with the campaign launch, a video highlighting the positive impact that a shave and pampering session can have on older gentleman has been shared on social media.

Filmed at Luke’s Barbershop in Ruislip, the video features members of The Geezers, a group supported by Age UK, who meet weekly in east London and provide social activities for men aged 50 and over in the community.

“The Geezers of Bow are incredible and they have forged a pathway for others to follow with their group,” explained Luke.

“The founder of the group decided that loneliness wasn’t an option and he wanted to bring together 20 like-minded Geezers to add value to each other’s lives and be a second family.

“They now have swapped tears and feelings of being lost with laughter, banter and beer. They are an example to all that people and talking go hand-in-hand and this needs to be done much more than it is today.”

Barbers who are interested in taking part in Shave The Day, which was created with fragrance brand TABAC, can visit the event’s Facebook page to register their interest and download a poster designed to raise awareness of the cause among the local community.

Ray, chief Geezer, who trialled Shave The Day at Luke’s Barbershop, said: “The experience of going for a haircut and shave plus a talk with the barbers was an experience that older people welcome as it is interaction with people thereby eliminating loneliness. 

“As many older people feel left out of society, we would encourage all barbers to be involved in Shave The Day on 7th December to give older people the opportunity of mixing with local people they wouldn’t meet otherwise.”

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/barbers-to-offer-free-haircuts-to-elderly-men-in-campaign-to-tackle-loneliness_uk_5a14245ee4b0aa32975db632

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: November 21, 2017

TODAY IN SEATTLE @ 1:30 PM PT — ORAL ARGUMENTS TO BE HEARD IN KARNOSKI V. TRUMP CHALLENGE TO TRANSGENDER TROOPS BAN: The case, filed by Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN, challenges the constitutionality of the Trump-Pence administration’s ban on military service by transgender individuals. Brought in response to Trump’s formal issuance of directions to military authorities, the lawsuit was filed on behalf of two individuals who seek to join the military and one current service member who seeks appointment as an officer; as well as HRC; the American Military Partner Association (AMPA); and Gender Justice League, a gender and sexuality civil and human rights organization headquartered in Seattle.

• Following the arguments, Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN will hold a press conference outside the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Seattle Courthouse. Representatives from Gender Justice League and HRC will also participate. Please contact [email protected] for more details.
• From The Washington Post’s Editorial Board on a recent decision by a U.S. Federal Judge to block enforcement of the Trump-Pence Administration’s unconstitutional ban on military service by transgender troops in the case brought by NCLR and GLAD. “A federal court’s recent ruling against the ban is a welcome blow to this pointless and cruel policy.” Read the full piece here.

TUESDAY TWEETS — HRC REMEMBERS THE TRANS PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES WERE CUT SHORT BY VIOLENCE: Yesterday, to honor Transgender Day of Remembrance, HRC tweeted out the names and photos of the 25 transgender people who have been murdered in the U.S. this year, the highest number on record. Learn more about this epidemic of violence from HRC.

• Trans teens share their stories in powerful video: A collaboration between Shape History and transgender director and advocate Jake Graf (@JakeGraf1) invites transgender youth to share their stories and struggles. More from Daily Mail.

For Transgender Day of Remembrance, @HRC remembers Jaquarrius Holland, an 18-year-old #transgender woman shot to death in Louisiana on February 19. #SayHerName #TDOR t.co/mlOVFkWYUJ pic.twitter.com/wGu5cspyzX

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) November 20, 2017

IRONY ALERT — SEC STATE TILLERSON CONDEMNS VIOLENCE AGAINST TRANS PEOPLE… REMAINS SILENT ON ATROCITIES AROUND THE WORLD: In a statement yesterday on Transgender Day of Remembrance, Tillerson said that transgender people “should not be subjected to violence or discrimination.” And yet, Trump and Tillerson have failed to publicly condemn a slew of human rights abuses targeting LGBTQ people in Egypt, Chechnya, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Georgia, Tanzania, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. (Not to mention the discriminatory Trump-Pence ban on qualified transgender service members.) More from The Hill.

TROUBLING NEW POLL — MAJORITY OF LGBTQ AMERICANS REPORT HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE: NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that 57 percent of LGBTQ Americans have personally experienced slurs based on their identity. Fifty-one percent say they or an LGBTQ friend or family member has experienced violence based on their identity. More from NPR.

NEW YORK STATE SETTLES LAWSUIT WITH OSWEGO COUNTY AFTER IT AGREES TO OFFER TRANS-INCLUSIVE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE: “It’s simple: employers have an obligation to cover health care for transgender employees. Doing so is not just required by law — it also makes clear that all employees are valued and supported, which benefits everyone in the workplace,” said State Attorney General Schneiderman. “I’m pleased that our settlement with Oswego County ensures that all of its employees and retirees — including those who are transgender –have access to the essential health insurance coverage they need.” More from The New York State Office of the Attorney General.

U.S. SEN. TAMMY BALDWIN (D-WI) INTRODUCES THE LGBT ELDER AMERICANS ACT: The legislation would expand the Older Americans Act (OAA) to improve services available for older LGBTQ adults. There are an estimated 1.5 million LGBTQ seniors in America and that number is expected to double by 2030. More from The Pride LA.

MORNING MUST READ FROM NYT’S CHARLES BLOW — “THIS IS A MAN PROBLEM”: “We have to focus on recognizing an imbalance of power during sexual dynamics so that men better understand the implicit ‘no’ even when women don’t feel empowered to articulate a ‘no,’” writes New York Times columnist Blow (@CharlesMBlow) on sexual assault. Read this powerhouse piece from The New York Times.

POETIC JUSTICE — GAY MAN DENIED A MARRIAGE LICENSE BY NOTORIOUS KY COUNTY CLERK KIM DAVIS MAY RUN AGAINST HER: In 2015, Davis was held in contempt of court and jailed after refusing to comply with a federal judge’s order directing her to issue marriage licenses in accordance with the law. David Ermold, whose heated exchange with Davis after she denied him and his partner a marriage license went viral, is “seriously considering” running for her position. More from HuffPost.

MEETING A TRANSGENDER PERSON WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE: Journalist Sergio Camacho (@agualaboca) shares data from studies that consistently show that people who know a transgender person are more likely to support transgender equality — and relates his story of meeting HRC’s Global Innovator Laura Weinstein. “Having had the opportunity to know life and to listen to the voices of some transgender people, still so silenced, has led me to question my privileges and to be clear that there is much to be done,” writes Camacho. More from Sentiido.

CONOCER UNA PERSONA TRANSGÉNERO CAMBIARÁ SU VIDA: Los estudios muestran consistentemente que aquellos que conocen a una persona transgénero son más propensos a apoyar la igualdad transgénero. El periodista Sergio Camacho (@agualaboca) comparte estos datos y la historia de la innovadora global de HRC, Laura Weinstein. “Haber tenido la oportunidad de conocer la vida y de escuchar las voces de algunas personas trans, aún tan silenciadas, me ha llevado a cuestionarme mis privilegios y a tener claro que hay mucho por hacer”, expresó Camacho. Más de Sentiido.

JOY EVERINGHAM BECOMES METHODIST CHURCH’S FIRST OPENLY TRANS MINISTER: She recently came out to her parishioners in Kent, England. More from The Daily Mail.

TRUE BLOOD ACTRESS RUTINA WESLEY ANNOUNCES SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIP ON INSTAGRAM: She posted a photo with her partner and the caption “#FromTheInsideOut You are the sunshine of my life…” Wesley (@rutinaofficial) also plays Nova Bordelon on the show Queen Sugar. More from Queerty.

CBS DROWNS OUT ANTI-LGBTQ SLURS CHANTED DURING PATRIOTS-RAIDERS GAME IN MEXICO CITY: The network was prepared, and masked the slurs with crowd noise. More from OutSports.

MITCHELL GOLD + BOB WILLIAMS HELPS LGBTQ AND HIV-POSITIVE TEXANS AFFECTED BY HARVEY: The furniture company gave 40 Houstonians $10,000 vouchers to help replace belongings lost during Hurricane Harvey. More from The Houston Chronicle.

NEARLY ONE MILLION ATTEND RIO LGBTQ PRIDE PARADE: The event is reported to be the second largest festival in Brazil, after Carnival. More from Euronews and The Associated Press.

READING RAINBOW

The Pulitzer Center interviews those at the frontlines in the fight for LGBTQ equality in Uganda; Mashable speaks to Rwandan LGBTQ advocates; The Washington Post shares the story of a young transgender boy coming out

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-november-21-2017?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

‘Runaways’, ‘Barbra’, ‘Trixie and Katya’, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and More TV This Week

Check out our weekly guide to TV this week, and make sure you’re catching the big premieres, crucial episodes and the stuff you won’t admit you watch when no one’s looking.

One of the best original comic book series in recent memory gets its long-awaited television treatment Tuesday when Hulu’s Runaways debuts. The superhero series follows a misfit group of teens (including hunky Chase from the photo above and queer alien teen Karolena) who discover their parents may not be exactly who they thought they were. Now they need to form their own family while falling in love and figuring out who they are along the way.

Find out which couple takes home the Dancing with the Stars mirror ball trophy Tuesday night at 9 p.m. Eastern on ABC. It’s down to actor Frankie Muniz, singer Jordan Fisher, violinist Lindsey Stirling and Property Brothers co-host Drew Scott.

Don’t just sit and puttah, stream the new Streisand special Barbra: The Music … The Mem’ries … The Magic! Wednesday on Netflix.

TV’s new favorite twosome is Trixie and Katya. After slaying the internet with their web show UNHhhh, the Drag Race alums are now on Viceland. The second episode of the series, airing Wednesday at 10 p.m. Eastern, focuses on death.

Let the rest of the fam watch football on Thanksgiving while you root-root-root for the real competition: The National Dog Show, noon on NBC.

What are you watching this week on TV?

The post ‘Runaways’, ‘Barbra’, ‘Trixie and Katya’, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and More TV This Week appeared first on Towleroad.

‘Runaways’, ‘Barbra’, ‘Trixie and Katya’, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and More TV This Week

The Power Of Truth And Transparency Is Becoming More Important Than Ever

For centuries people have been kept in the dark about so much particularly when it comes to religion, politics and social institutions. Some would argue that certain things should remain clandestine or secretive for our own protection and security; others would say that we as the people have more power than any higher governmental or established body because we select who wields that sacred power and therefore we should be privy to everything. I am of the opinion that it’s difficult to be part of either side; I believe it is more a case of understanding and knowing what will truly affect us in the long-run and what will have the biggest ramifications.

In the past few weeks we’ve heard about the alleged lurid actions of the film industry mogul, Harvey Weinstein. Here is a man that embodies the very notion that Charles de Montesquieu described, that ‘every man invested with power is apt to abuse it and to carry his authority as far as it will go.’ Weinstein was the epitome of the immense power of Hollywood and the entertainment industry. With funds in excess and a formidable movie empire, it seemed that Weinstein believed that he could do anything beyond reproach and get away with it, and this was especially the case with women. Truth and transparency remained hidden for decades; women, actresses and entertainers alike, came forward in their droves as victims of his indecency. Due to fear and threat of becoming pariahs of the entertainment world, these women were silenced. Only in 2017, have these women felt strong and courageous enough to report their horrible experiences to The New York Times, whom as an established journalistic medium, knew it was its duty to tell their stories. Why did it take so long for such truths to be revealed so that less women would be affected by one man? Was it the social establishment? Was it that women were made to feel helpless and undignified? If transparency had been supported decades before, less would be affected by such a malicious and predatorial individual.

From social truths to historical truths, it is now the deadline for the President’s choice to release the last classified documents of the JFK assassination. As soon as the event took place back in November 1963, historians, conspiracy theorists and even your everyday individual, have all questioned the very nature of what happened. Was it a lone gunman? Was it part of a wider mission? Above all else why did it happen? We as the people were confined to one judicial decision held by the work of the Warren Commission in 1964, that the sole suspect and executor of the assassination was Lee Harvey Oswald and that it was now time to move on from this. But why do you think no one has moved on?

We as humans are creatures of inquisition and if we’re not satisfied with what we have been told we seek out truth and transparency ourselves and this is what has happened up until now. I believe that the remaining documents hold a shattering truth that has been kept away from us for over 50 years and that I believe will stop all mind-boggling theories and settle everything once and for all. Many have argued that whatever has been documented that still remains secretive has its reasons for staying under wraps; that may be by sharing what has been outlined in these papers will threaten the very notion of a free democracy, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In a sad state of irony, it was JFK that stated that ’the great enemy of truth is very often not the lie – deliberate, contrived and dishonest – but the myth – persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.’ In his very own words, JFK almost clairvoyantly saw what will happen. Institutions, both governmental and judicial, have upheld a verdict by pure persistency and persuasiveness, after all if their decision was correct there would be no need to release the documents in stages or hold hostage the last few.

The power of truth and transparency has been demonstrated in the above two cases almost too easily but, why is it that the truth is so feared? Is the Swiss moral philosopher Henri-Frédéric Amiel correct in surmising that, ‘what governs men is the fear of truth’? I believe that for a period of time this notion did resonate because it was commonly perceived that truth and rationale could only be understood by an elite and educated few. We have since moved on from such a narrow perception and now we as the people are able to accept such truths and transparencies that we can lobby for changes to be made at the highest of levels. While such openness may not be immediate, when it does make its way to the surface, a lot can be done to stop detrimental ramifications and promote a better way of living.

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www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/the-power-of-truth-and-transparency-is-becoming-more-important-than-ever_uk_5a1300cce4b05ec0ae8443f9

The Podcast That Will Get You Through the Holidays

Jeffrey Masters is chronicling the stories we don’t often hear on the hit podcast LGBTQ&A.

www.advocate.com/current-issue/2017/11/21/podcast-will-get-you-through-holidays

True Blood’s Rutina Wesley Comes Out in Heartfelt Instagram Engagement Post

Wesley, who currently stars on Queen Sugar, posted a gallery of pics that appear to confirm her engagement to a woman. 

www.advocate.com/television/2017/11/20/true-bloods-rutina-wesley-comes-out-heartfelt-instagram-engagement-post

‘I’m A Celebrity’: Richard Madeley Schools Amir Khan On Bushtucker Trials During ‘Extra Camp’
Amir Khan may have failed to win any stars during Monday (20 November) night’s ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ Bushtucker Trial, but Richard Madeley was on hand to show how it’s done during spin-off ‘Extra Camp’.

Amir and Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo returned to the camp empty-handed when the boxer struggled with his part of the task and opted out before finding any of the keys required to free the ‘Made In Chelsea’ cast member from an underground hole full of creepy-crawlies.

His decision to quit also meant viewers didn’t get to see a full trial take place, which is Richard and ‘Extra Camp’ presenter Joe came in.

Taking on Amir and Toff’s roles respectively, the pair did their best to complete the task, with Richard remaining totally unfazed by the bugs and snakes that joined him in the tunnel.

Admittedly, Joe wasn’t quite so calm as he remained locked in the underground vault, but it was nothing a few reassuring shouts from Richard couldn’t fix and they finished the trial with relative ease.

During the main episode, boxer Amir also claimed that he hasn’t actually seen ‘I’m A Celeb’ before, and after the trial, told Ant and Dec: “This was my first Trial, I thought you’d take it easy on me, I’m scared of snakes.”

Oh dear.

And yes, Amir seems to have no idea that the public will probably vote for him to take part in every trial to come. It’s going to be a long few weeks…

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/im-a-celebrity-amir-khan-richard-madeley_uk_5a13e77ee4b0bfa88c1cb487