Fan fiction culture is unique (and not just because it’s one of the only spaces you’ll find dramatic YouTube readings of stories starring characters like “Enoby”, “Vlodemort”, and “Dumblydore”). It is also one of the few online spaces that is primarily female. This is a realm in which girls and women can mold popular culture to their… Continue Reading →
Media proves what we’ve known all along: It’s easy to be trans!
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article contains extreme instances of sarcasm and satire.) Trans awareness is on the rise, especially now that a member of the Kardashian clan has publicly come out to the world as transgender. This heightened exposure of transgender individuals brings attention to the trans community, and since mainstream media is known to portray topics so… Continue Reading →
Steps forward: From Gilmore Girls to Orange is the New Black
Advocating for more realistic portrayals of female characters in the media has been a major part of the third wave of feminism. But in all of our work and efforts, have we been making any strides? Is there anything we can point to and say, “This, my friends, is headed in the right direction”? When Gilmore… Continue Reading →
Four reasons you should be in love with Orphan Black
Clones. Religious cults. Corporate science. Oh, and feminism. As odd as it may sound, all of these elements can be found in the TV series Orphan Black. The show, which just began its third season in April, follows Sarah Manning (played by Tatiana Maslany) as she discovers she is one of many clones. The series… Continue Reading →
9 easy ways you can support women and girls right now
1. Pledge to only read books written by women this year. Check out this list of books by transgender authors. 2. Blog. See something sexist? Have something you want to get off your chest? Write about it! I started a feminist Tumblr that focuses on sharing media and stories that support feminism, empower women, and… Continue Reading →
Am I allowed to like Valentine’s Day?
A dilemma: I’m a feminist. Am I allowed to like the “patriarchal nonsense” that is Valentine’s Day? The answer: I sure as hell am, if I want to. Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays — I show loved ones that I care, and it’s not for a holiday or because society dictates that… Continue Reading →
Lesbians are girls, too: Why no one’s immune to media
I have a superpower. I am immune to the power of media. Yes, you heard me correctly. Bring on your Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows and Hardee’s ads and watch their influence fall harmlessly away from me. For as a lesbian, I “do not care about the standards of beauty created for me by society.” Wait…what?… Continue Reading →
A picture worth a thousand words for trans representation
This image of Laverne Cox and Janet Mock — both trans women of color — brought a smile to my face today. Cox is an actress and transgender advocate, perhaps best known for her portrayal of Sophia on the Netflix hit series Orange is the New Black. Mock is an advocate, author and the founder… Continue Reading →
Crash course in the Vito Russo Test
I was recently speaking to a friend of mine about the Bechdel Test and I asked whether or not there was a Bechdel equivalent for LGBTQ movie analysis. She said she thought that there must be, and after some research, I quickly came across the answer: the Vito Russo Test. Both the Bechdel Test and… Continue Reading →