Taking Birth Control Does Not Make You A Slut (And Other Observations)
Posted April 12th, 2012 by Thao NguyenBy Devi Rao, Law Fellow
Yesterday the National Women’s Law Center hosted a tweetchat with women’s health advocate Sandra Fluke and Law Students for Reproductive Justice. The chat provided a great opportunity for university students and employees to learn more about their contraceptive coverage under the health care law and the Obama Administration’s proposed accommodation for religiously-affiliated employers.
And although the actual chat conversation was lively and informative, unfortunately a few vocal “participants” attempted to “hijack” (their word) the chat and launch hostile, offensive, and sexist ad hominem attacks on Sandra Fluke and any person who dares to ask his or her school or employer to provide contraceptive coverage. (The worse examples of the comments can be found here.)
So, apparently a woman who advocates for equality in health care exhibits “whorish behavior and a slutty lack of respect.” Charming. And a woman who wants contraceptives is “putting an ‘open for business’ sign on [her] vagina.” Sorry, what???? And it turns out that “progressive girls” need to “quit yer bitchin and get in the kitchen!” Sic!
This type of behavior isn’t just offensive, ignorant bullying. And it’s not just “boys being boys.” Let’s call it what it is: sexual harassment. The comments—in addition to being idiotic and mean—are based on outmoded Mad Men-era stereotypes about how men or women in our culture are “supposed to act.” (Note: if these comments were being made in a school or university setting, they could contribute to a hostile environment, which Title IX requires a school to remedy.)
If adorable little Riley can understand that gender stereotyping is wrong, why can’t we as a society? It’s not that hard, people! Yes, some girls like superheroes. And, no, women on birth control aren’t sluts.
[View the story "Attacks on Women's Health in #cceduchat" on Storify]
4 Comments
April 12, 2012 at 2:56 pm by MarysiaIf it’s any consolation:
http://www.fem2pt0.com/2012/03/27/susan-b-anthony-was-slutshamed-too/
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April 12, 2012 at 1:49 pm by AngelaI think it’s time we start saying “thank you” every time one of these ignorant people call us “sluts” or “bitches” or “feminazis” and disarm this dialogue. It is my experience that when abusive people attempt to shame and demean you it is because you are doing things right. I have used this tactic many times before and it has been pretty effective. “Thank you for the compliment. I must be doing something right!” I refuse to be shamed for being intelligent, assertive, or for valuing and standing up for reproductive rights and so should every woman in this discussion. We are not the ones who should feel shame and as Eleanor Roosevelt so eloquently stated, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Respective dialogue is not possible with some people, but there are many people listening and there is a great deal of influence that can be asserted on the “lurkers” in any discussion. We have no need to lower ourselves to their level. What we need to do is vote en masse!
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April 12, 2012 at 1:06 pm by GloriaI think it’s terrible that conservative forces are treating these public awareness and advocacy events as immature games – let’s stop the grownups from talking. But when I read the title, I though, so, what’s wrong with being a slut? Okay – there’s lots wrong with promiscuity – it’s just not good for you – but we need to build on the progress from Slut Walks that has done so much to redeem that label. We can’t defend ourselves by protesting our slutdom because that’s based on the presumption that women having sex is just bad.
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April 12, 2012 at 12:52 pm by AnitaThank you so much for this. I had an “ah ha” moment when you used the word “bullying” because it struck me that that’s what was so troubling about it for me (I saw this tweetchat).
I’d love to have a respectful dialogue with those who feel differently about the topic, knowing that we all just want what’s best for our families and for our country. But this kind of bullying behavior, trying to shut down the conversation and claiming that’s a victory– that’s not helping anyone.
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