Each week, I’ll be posting a list of the most news-worthy and/or inspirational, informative, well-written, thought-provoking, and/or unique posts of the week. While every post and every contributor is valuable to our community, these are the blogs that I feel are must-reads.

(Sorry this wasn’t up yesterday. My excitement for the new season of True Blood distracted me from doing anything else.)

June 6- June 12

Human Trafficking- by Marimar

Why I chose this post:

Marimar shares some sobering statistics about human trafficking. This isn’t an old problem, people. This is going on today, in our world, and it deserves our attention, our rage, and our action.

How We Survive: healing from sexual violence as a community- by robocoko

Why I chose this post:

Robocoko shares an excellent zine that survivors of sexual violence at her university put together to help fellow survivors heal. It’s definitely worth the read!

Why do we apologize for our bodies?- by robocoko

Why I chose this post:

This is an excellent reminder from robocoko that our bodies and our choices regarding them are nothing to be ashamed of or apologized for. If you need a body positivity boost, this is the post for you!

FDA To Reevaluate Blood Donor Policy- by drs0043

Why I chose this post:

If you have any doubts about whether gay and bisexual men should be allowed to donate blood, check out this post to learn more about the issue.

 At a time when it is known that HIV (in particular) can be spread to anyone, gay  or straight, and when there are more protections, screenings, and knowledge now,  why must this policy live on? It is a question the FDA is looking into this week…

Empty-Handed: The Story of Many Womens Lives Around the World- by AFY_Mimi

Why I chose this post:

Mimi writes about her trip to Uganda for the annual Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition meeting.

 We discussed the many challenges that hinder both men and women's access to  reproductive health supplies and services. Stock-outs, limited contraceptive  options, uncertainty in the arrival of supplies, oversupply in urban areas,  undersupply in rural areas, lack of funding to provide the supplies and services…  and the list goes on and on.

She includes a link to a short film called “Empty Handed: Responding to the Demand for Contraceptives” which addresses these issues. It is amazing to hear these women talk about these issues. This film is a stark reminder of the immense, vital importance of access to family planning methods and education. It is both sobering and inspiring.

ALERT: State-level politics is where pro-life thrives- by dandaman6007

Why I chose this post:

Dan is a great writer, and this is no exception.

 They have been successful in part because so many people are focused on the  national debate, where very large decisions are made. Instead of taking the fight  there, anti-choice groups have taken the fight to where smaller, and honestly less  interesting, decisions are made. But even though there has not been a significant  pro-life victory at the national level (maybe we can count HCR as one), there have  been so many smaller victories at the state level that I believe the country has  become substantively more anti-choice.

Rape Lies and Videotape- by Yes_Means_Yes

Why I chose this post:

I can always count on Jaclyn to tell it like it is.

 You may have heard that Kendra Wilkinson, ex-Playboy bunny and Girl Next  Door, has a sex tape that's just been released against her wishes. What you may  not know is that this isn't a sex tape at all. It's a rape tape.

This is an excellent post, and is a definite must-read if you ever want to understand what to do, and what to never ever do, with a sexual partner. If you’ve never heard of enthusiastic consent, stop whatever you’re doing and read this post.

Thank you to everyone who posted a blog this week! You are part of what makes this community great!

~ Samantha