Did you know that from the sixties through the nineties, clergy and faculty at Notre Dame, Georgetown, and other Catholic-affiliated universities lobbied for coverage of birth control? And argued for the moral imperative of providing coverage for contraception… even on campus?
The argument that access to sexual health care or information causes promiscuity is offensive to women and has been proven false time and again. Yet it seems unlikely that it we will end anytime soon.
For years, feminists have been trying to get the public to see the misogynist, sex-fearing heart at the center of the anti-choice movement. Turns out all we needed was to dangle Sandra Fluke in front of them. Why can’t conservatives resist bashing her?
The progressive community is deathly afraid of talking about sex and young people. We have to stop running away from sex like it’s our movement’s dirty little secret, because despite the supposed mainstream appeal and political expedience that comes with a watered down sexless narrative about birth control, it also comes with a swift price.
With 4000 tickets handed out and a packed auditorium, the mix of women, men and children eagerly waited to hear the president’s plan to protect women’s rights.
![Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson. [img src]](http://rhrealitycheck.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/../../files/teaser-images/2012-05-07-garrison-187x125.jpg)
Popular conservative Christian pastor says “America is over” because shameless women who have sex and vote are running wild and screwing everything up.
![[img src]](http://rhrealitycheck.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/../../files/teaser-images/2012-03-26-powers copy-187x125.jpg)
The House of Representatives is currently considering a bill which would reform medical malpractice laws. Several Congresswomen drafted an amendment to limit the bill’s malpractice protections if a claim is based on a violation of the health care reform law related to the women’s preventive health services. Republicans are blocking the amendment from a vote.
Like any good abuser, Rush is still searching for his excuse. This time by challenging NOW President Terry O’Neill statement of the obvious in a speech made in New Orleans.
Amidst the controversy around Rush Limbaugh and birth control coverage, there have been some missed opportunities to dive deeper into the underlying issues. What I had hoped (and continue to hope) for is space for a more nuanced discussion about privilege, sex and sexuality, and feminism.
This week’s back-and-forth over Rush Limbaugh’s use of the words “slut” and “prostitute” illustrates our deep discomfort with women’s sexuality.
