Written by JLM; Published by GENDER FOCUS on September 22, 2013 Let’s talk Pope for a few minutes. The figurehead’s been in the news lately, and has, I guess you could say, a fairly big circle of influence. Clearly, it’s time that we, as feminists, weigh in respectfully and thoughtfully with whatever we’ve got. I’ll…
Author: JLM
“Gay Cure” Now Off the Market: Exodus International Says a Healing Goodbye to an Era of Shame and Trauma
Written by JLM; Published by GENDER FOCUS on June 21, 2013 The news is out and on repeat, as usual, only this time: it’s personal, the kind that makes you cry in relief and do a dancey-dance at the same time. How often do we feel that what we read is relevant and personal to…
On Jodie Foster: Let’s All Come Out About Our Discomfort with Coming Out
Written by JLM; Published by Gender Focus on January 17, 2013 When it comes to coming out, I’ve been there, done that, probably hundreds of times. To me, there’s nothing to it. I’m one of the least closeted people you will ever meet. My erotic identity is as much a part of my representative identity…
Feminism, Beyond and Within: A Review of Brave
Written by JLM; Published by GENDER FOCUS on July 2, 2012 Elinor and Merida Brave, Disney-Pixar’s newly released fantasy adventure film, features two female protagonists struggling within the strictures and dynamics of 10th century life in the Scottish highlands. Before seeing the film, I was told it was about a kick-ass princess. After seeing the…
Watching “Vegucated” With a Feminist Eye
Written by JLM; Published by GENDER FOCUS on May 30, 2012 I just watched Vegucated, a documentary that follows three meat-eating New Yorkers through their journeys into veganism – a lifestyle that – for a variety of environmental, ethical and dietary reasons – involves abstaining from using animal products. Veganism is a response to the…
My Father Met Eve Ensler and they both wanted to tell me that I Am an Emotional Creature
Written by JLM; Published by GENDER FOCUS on May 18, 2012 Eve Ensler, meet my father. Father, meet Eve. That’s the way I would have introduced them if I were present when they met. But he encountered her on his own. I only knew about it because I received a copy of Ensler’s Best-Selling book,…
The Two Faces of Time: Answering “Are You Mom Enough?”
Written by JLM; Published by GENDER FOCUS on May 11, 2012 Visceral reactions are where it’s at when it comes to Time Magazine’s cover story, “Are You Mom Enough?” While the topic of attachment parenting is relevant and in need of intelligent discourse, it’s the cover that’s making headlines. It isn’t the issue of attachment…
Conversations with Ashley Judd
Written by JLM| Published by GENDER FOCUS on April 12, 2012Feminism, Pop Culture I, like many of you, have read Ashley Judd’s feminist piece about the patriarchal objectification of the physical bodies of women and girls in The Daily Beast (as well as on her official blog). I am grateful that she used what was…
Radical Feminism is for Sisters, Not Just Cisters: Why We Need an Overtly Trans-Inclusive Radical Feminist Resurgence
Radical Feminism is for Sisters, Not Just Cisters: Why We Need an Overtly Trans-Inclusive Radical Feminist Resurgence Abstract This paper engages with the idea that radical feminism is inherently transphobic and exclusionary, exploring gray areas in what some have criticized as radical feminism’s promotion of a biologically essentialist position on the concepts of sex and…
Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and The Sapphic Resistance
I’ve learned that today is Angela Lansbury Appreciation Day. I appreciate Angela Lansbury every day but since she taught me about lesbian witches, I shall offer a brief comment on the first lesbian witch to win my heart: Ms. Price. The obvious must be stated: Ms. Price is a lesbian and Bedknobs and Broomsticks can…
Headmistress Press + Hexmistress Jess 