Editor's Note: The ACLU just filed a lawsuit against the schoo on this student's behalf.

So I was looking at Yahoo's daily featured articles as I normally do when I'm at work and I came across an article called, "Miss. school prom off after lesbian's date request." The first thing that I thought to myself was, are you serious? It turns out an entire Mississippi school district will not have a prom in any of their schools simply because a lesbian student wanted to dress in a tuxedo and bring her girlfriend to prom. Of course, the school board did not admit that this was the reason why they decided to cancel the prom. I am guessing that the school board doesn't what to be viewed as discriminating against people whose sexual orientation is anything other than heterosexual, so they decide to not only cancel the prom at the particular school the female student attends but all of the proms in the district. Perhaps, the school board is cancelling the prom at all of the schools as a punishment and warning for any students who ever think of bringing a date of the opposite sex. But, according to the author, the school district actually has a policy that requires senior prom dates to be of the opposite sex. What upsets me is how Mississippi tries to uphold this image of old America in their state, where gays aren't accepted and segregation is o.k., and instead of dealing with the issues and solving them the school board gets rid of whatever is causing the "problem."

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For those of you who may not know, today is International Women’s Day. As a woman, a Nicholas Kristof fan, and an advocate for women’s sexual and reproductive rights, I traveled across DC last Thursday to sit in a crowded auditorium (filled with a 95% women audience) to see the Half the Sky Live one-day event. This event was filmed at New York University, featuring celebrities who sang and spoke about their experiences in the developing world. Although some parts of it were gimmicky -- at least 3 times the celebrities repeated the same message about texting a number to join CARE, the sponsoring organization -- the one message which resonated with me was the story of Woineshet, an Ethiopian girl. Marisa Tomei, a famous actress, found Woineshet through Nicholas Kristof, and decided to make a documentary based on her story. I saw a short section of the documentary as a part of this viewing, but the presentation of this young girl’s story reminded me of why I became involved with these issues in the first place.

Woinoshet was kidnapped and raped at the age of 13. Her attacker was arrested, and released on bail. After he raped her again, she  continued refusing to marry him. She tried to go to a clinic far away from her village to get a medical examination to prove she was raped, but the doctor said she did not look like a “fresh virgin,” since her wounds were “old” and therefore, was unable to provide the medical evidence needed for her case.  In Ethiopia at that time, there was a law that stated there was no prosecution for men who raped women and later married them. She was forced to sign a paper marrying him, essentially freeing him from his jail sentence. Woineshet left the village and moved to Addis Ababa, and with strong support of her father and brother, has worked toward prosecution of her rapist, and solving the problem of rape all over Ethiopia. Her story and work has inspired women and men alike to think about the rights of women, and that women CAN stand up for their rights. Woineshet is still trying to resolve the case, as it has reached the Ethiopian high court, and is studying law, in hopes to defend women all over Ethiopia.

Woinoshet’s bravery sends a message to every woman who has ever felt as though she does not have equal power to a man. It reminds us of the global dynamic that women are still not seen as equals. However, the actions Woinoshet has taken remind us of the power we could have if we do indeed speak out against injustices.

Woinoshet’s story has been featured in The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20835-2004Jun6.html), and several other prominent news sources. I recommend that this International Women’s Day, we pay tribute to women like Woinoshet, who devote their lives to women’s rights.

Whenever I come across an easy opportunity to make a difference in the lives of women around the world, Amplify is my first stop. The online blogging community represents a powerful force in the dissemination of awareness about global health concerns, and can play an equally significant role in the current of funding toward supporting people in developing countries, promoting universal health systems, and encouraging health programs.


Girl2Woman, a project of Pathfinder International, launched an initiative yesterday called 200 Thousand for 200 Million. According to their website, their goal is to achieve 200,000 video shares of the videos on their website by International Women’s Day (this coming Monday, March 8) “to raise critical awareness about the more than 200 million women around the world who lack access to modern contraceptives.” For each time the video is “shared,” a generous donor will contribute $1 to Pathfinder International programs.

Pathfinder International, a non-profit organization that seeks to  “ensure that people everywhere have the right and opportunity to live a healthy life,” has provided reproductive health care to men and women in over 120 countries worldwide. Its programs stem from the belief that women’s reproductive health care affects every aspect of their lives; the ability to make reproductive choices, the knowledge and resources to protect oneself against sexually transmitted infections, and the support to actively engage in family planning, lead to higher education levels, larger earning potentials, and a greater abundance of opportunities. On a larger scale, women’s empowerment and self-possession raise developing countries’ economic profiles, as women achieve more in the classroom and, eventually, in the workforce.

Pathfinder International develops local partnerships and engages with communities in developing countries to effect positive change for reproductive health care in its many forms: providing family planning services, birth control access, prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, AIDS response, maternal and newborn care, abortion services, delaying childbearing, and promoting safe sex. The long term benefits of ensuring universal reproductive rights and investing in sexual and reproductive health could alleviate poverty, empower women, and save lives.

As a college student, I often struggle to reconcile my desire to contribute to important efforts like Pathfinder International’s project, and my lack of a steady income. I frequently receive emails from the different organizations that I belong to asking me to contribute to their cause, and a feeling of heavy guilt settles over me as I press “delete” on my keyboard. The Girl2Woman project presents an ideal way to involve youth and educate others regarding the fundamental need for global reproductive health care access. Two hundred thousand views is a lot to accomplish in a week, but this video is well worth the effort. Take advantage of this opportunity to make a difference from your computer screen, and not your credit card: please share this video as much as you can, and let’s push Girl2Woman to 200 Thousand for 200 Million! 

A recent study that included over 400 guys ages 18 to 67 found that many men refuse to wear condoms because they don't fit right. Some men claim the condom often breaks, so they opt not to wear one at all. Others claim the condom is too big, and their egos wont allow them to buy a "small" or a "medium" at their nearest pharmacy.

Well, that's a problem. And here's why:

1) The fact that the condom might break shouldn't deter men from wearing one and protecting themselves. "The condom will break anyway -- so I just wont wear one." That isn't even logical. Wearing a condom shouldn't have to be a chore. You should want to protect yourself, and your partner. Proponents of abstinence only education preach that condoms are ineffective -- but you shouldn't buy into that. Use your noggins and wear a condom.

2) A man's ego is fragile -- we get that. We're even sensitive to the issue (ie, nobody talks about how our boyfriend John is balding, and we rarely talk about faking an orgasm because George couldn't get us going). But putting yourself, and your partner, at risk for an unintended pregnancy or an STI just because you refuse to wear a condom that fits is beyond stupid. Clearly you lack the mental capacity to make good decisions when it comes to your sexual health. This definitely warrants some ego busting, boys.

3) Sex is fun. HIV is not. Condoms are typically effective in protecting people from HIV. According to Advocates for Youth,

In a two-year study of sero-discordant couples (in which one partner was HIV-positive and one was HIV-negative), no uninfected partner became infected among couples using condoms correctly and consistently at every act of vaginal or anal sex versus 10 percent of those using condoms inconsistently

So, what did we learn today? Protect yourselves. No matter how big, or small, you are. When it comes to our sexual health, we can't afford to screw around. No pun intended.

I just want to make sure everyone on the East Coast knows about Momma's Hip Hop Kitchen - happening this Saturday!

Here is the word from its cofounders.  For those who don't know,  co-founder Kathleen is a longtime member of the Young Women of Color Leadership Council at Advocates for Youth!

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Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen, Volume 3: "Back to Our Roots"

Join us Saturday, March 6th, for what's sure to be an amazing event!!!

Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen (MHHK) is a concert, platform and showcase of socially conscious female artists focused creating awareness on the impact of Environmental Injustices and Educational Inequalities on women of color.
MHHK Volume 3, Back to Our Roots, will be honoring International Women’s Month by bringing together educators, students, environmentalists, djs, emcees, b-girls, poets, visual artists, dancers, healers, pastors, organizers and activists to collectively express our solidarity with women’s rights!

We hope that you can join us at this free and family-friendly event. Local organizations and businesses focused on these and/or related issues are encouraged to participate by tabling or simply attending.

When and Where: Saturday, March 6th, 2010 @ the Hostos Center for Arts and Culture 450 Grand Concourse (at 149th St.) Bronx, NY (Main Theater)

Time: 2-5pm

This event is FREE and open to all ages.

For more information about the event, please visit our website @ http://www.mhhk.org or email hiphopkitchen@gmail.com. Organizations interested in tabling can register here. >Cookin' up a storm!
-Kathleen and Lah

I'm posting a body positive piece today because (hopefully) this week I'm going to be premiering a monologue show about body image that a bunch of students at my school helped to produce! It's a project I have been working on for almost a year now and I am really excited to see it become a reality :) The show is part of an Eating Disorder Awareness Campaign that we're doing at my school - I'll try to blog more about it later in the week! But for now, here's part of one of the monologues I wrote:

I remember coming home in tears, hating myself over the fact that I’d been made fun of on the bus in middle school for my hairy legs. I remember wearing jeans even in the summer because my “thunder thighs” embarrassed me more than I was willing to expose. I remember purposely buying tight tank tops to wear underneath clothing to suck in my “gut.” I remember counting calories in a little blue notebook to the point of obsession, the point where I finally just had to say STOP, I’d rather keep the ten pounds then lose my sanity along with them. I remember wondering if boys wouldn’t date me, girls wouldn’t befriend me, because I was too heavy, too hairy, too ugly. Like millions of other people of all ages and sizes, I keep these thoughts locked deep within my heart; luckily for me, unlike many others, these thoughts are only memories.

Transitioning to college was a strange and exciting experience, however, the biggest change for me wasn’t sharing a room, spending so much time on out-of-class work, eating in a dining hall, or even being away from home… the biggest change for me was a mirror. At first it was funny: why would someone ever place a full length mirror in the bathroom, directly in line with our toilet? Then it was a bit annoying: why do I have to watch myself pee? Eventually, it became enlightening.

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Recently, MTV launched their new season of “16 and Pregnant.” Usually, I avoid MTV, but I like this show. I wrote about their first season last July. I have seen two episodes so far, featuring Nikkole from Michigan and Jenelle from North Carolina. The thing that stood out to me the most was the same for both episodes- the boyfriends, Josh and Andy. Aside from being on track to be exceptionally poor fathers, they were both emotionally abusive boyfriends. They were selfish, demanding, disrespectful, rude, irresponsible boys who called their girlfriends names. They broke promises, cheated with another girl, and threatened physical violence. They wanted the girls to spend time with them instead of their friends. (Note: Some examples apply to both boys, some to just one, but I believe both were capable of all examples.)

The mothers of both girls wanted their daughters to have nothing to do with these guys. Both daughters, however, felt differently, and that was so sad to me, even more so than their poor decisions to not use condoms. They kept forgiving these guys for being complete jackasses, or kept ignoring or overlooking or “rationalizing” their reprehensible behavior. I can understand that they wanted to make an effort to work things out because these men (boys, really) are the fathers of their (super adorable) children. But, as their friends said again and again, “Do you really want to raise your baby with someone who treats you like that?”

I agree that children benefit when they’re raised by two parents, but at a certain point, having one parent is better than having an abusive second parent. Judging only from what I saw in each of the hour-long episodes, Nikkole and Janelle (and their sons) are better off without these guys. I understand that letting go of a bad guy is easier said than done, but if these young moms want to teach their sons how to respect themselves and how to treat the person you’re in a relationship with, they’re going to have to find the strength to get rid of these guys. If they want to show their children what a healthy relationship looks like and feels like, they’re going to have to end these unhealthy ones.

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I would like to speak out about rape
the degradation, shame & agony that we feel
the dark days, the blame, the self-hate
the dirt we try to scrub off 'til our skin peels

I want to rail against this 'badness'
the pictures in our head that will not go away
lying in bed, crying, reliving the madness
no energy left to work or play

I would like to stamp out this evil
the sickness of mind that causes this action
worming its way into hearts like a weevil
making them commit this so-called crime of passion

Because we would like to stop hurting
living our lives in the dark; former shadows of ourselves
our minds and hearts contorting
till our hopes, desires, emotions are left high up on shelves

...and we are no more than ghosts in shells.
 

Hey folks, I just wanted to pass along this opportunity!

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My name is Stacy Buchanan, Project Marketing Coordinator for The WGBH Lab (lab.wgbh.org).  I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself, and a new project that we have started that I’m hoping will be of interest to the youth that participate in your program.

Quick background on us:  The WGBH Lab is a space for filmmakers and media makers of all kinds, to connect, interact, watch, create, and collaborate on work. Our most successful outlet is our Open Call series (http://lab.wgbh.org/open-call), in which where we partner with an influential team, create a compelling theme, invite media makers to submit completed video shorts in relation to this theme, and choose potentials for future PBS broadcasts.

In our latest Open Call, we’ve partnered up with MASTERPIECE Classic, and have launched The Video Diary Project (http://www.thewgbhlab.org/masterpiece), inspired by The Diary of Anne Frank. We’re asking young media makers (ages 13 and up), to submit video diaries telling us about their lives – specifically areas where certain aspects of intolerance may be involved. How have they overcome being bullied or disrespected for the way they look, think, or for what they believe in – that kind of stuff.  Portions of the diaries submitted may be selected for broadcast on MASTERPIECE Classic’s PBS airing of The Diary of Anne Frank on April 11th, 2010.  

Do you think that you could help us spread the word on this event to your teen participants? Amplify is such a great resource and outlet for teens – we would love to hear their stories.  We have a hard deadline of getting video diaries in by March 8th, in order to be considered for broadcast.  Video diaries will also be accepted until the end of May for a separate PBS broadcast component.   In the meantime, please visit us at: http://www.thewgbhlab.org/masterpiece to learn more about the project (and us), and I do hope to hear from you soon!

Are you in the Florida area looking for an organization to get involved with? Well I have the organization for you - RCP Movement!!!

"Respect Yourself, Check Yourself, Protect Yourself" (RCP)" was started November 2006, in South Florida (Broward County) to expose and highlight the crisis our generation is facing with the HIV/AIDS virus, particularly, black communities (*stats as shocking as 1 in 35 infected rate).

The goal of this campaign is to heighten awareness, increase the number of first-time testers, and reduce the number of newly infected individuals through execution of various creative marketing strategies. By doing this, we will decrease the number of persons at high risk for acquiring HIV or transmitting HIV infection, increase the proportion of HIV infected individuals who know they are infected and increase the number of people getting tested. For those individuals that test positive, treatment can be sought after; and for the individuals with negative results, we will continue to promote “responsible action”. The overall objective is to improve the health of the community by encouraging healthy behavior (i.e. getting tested, practicing safer sex, spreading awareness).

Advocates has worked with this great organization thats training youth leaders to go create change and mobilize their community around HIV. Earllondra  and Ryan started with RCP and are now apart of the Young Women of Color Leadership Council.

To find out more information about RCP click on this link  http://rcpmovement.org/whoweare.html