The Oregonian has broken the news that Oregon House Republican Leader Kevin Cameron stepped down from his position last month over worries about a brewing sex scandal. The scandal? That Cameron, during a vacation to Palm Springs, visited a topless bar. According to the article, Cameron confirmed that “he abruptly stepped down last month, in […]
Sexual Politics
Posted inSexual Politics
Ladies! Big, Awesome Birth Control Funding News!
This weekly column covers Portland gender, sex, and politics news. Feel free to suggest ideas for issues I should cover! I made Planned Parenthood Columbia/Willamette spokeswoman Liz Delapoer repeat the news for me twice, slowly, because it seemed too good to true. “Okay,” I said. “Let me get this straight. Under the provisions of the […]
Posted inHorrors
A Little Light Friday Reading (About Rape)
It’s a Friday (TGIF!), you’re stoked about the weekend (RIGHT?!!) and about the baked eggs and ham thing you just ate (FUCKIN’ YUM), and you’re cruising for a little light reading to aid the digestion process. How about all these horrific Reddit stories from rapists detailing why they rape? I know, I know: Horrifying and […]
Posted inSexual Politics
Activists Sticker Seattle Crisis Pregnancy Center Bus Ads
Crisis pregnancy centers are places that offer counseling, support, and advice to pregnant women, but often refuse to refer women to clinics that offer abortions and sometimes distribute pamphlets with inaccurate information about birth control and abortions. Oregon has about 50 of them and Washington has a lot, too. Which is where someone spotted a […]
Posted inSexual Politics
Five Things Destroying Traditional Marriage (Besides the Gays)
The news that same-sex marriage is now a mainstream value has got me thinking that maybe we will soon see a day where same-sex weddings are not blamed for the decline in American marriage rates. The whole way we talk about the decline in marriage rates is bad, I think: Media describes the institution of […]
Posted inNews
Sexual Politics
Hooray for the Tough Girls
A pair of Portland transgender ladies handles a hate crime like bad-asses.
Posted inFashion
Win Tickets to The Pink Carpet Project!
Never let it be said that the Merc doesn’t love it some Planned Parenthood: On August 9, at PNCA, yours truly will co-present The Pink Carpet Project, a fashion show benefiting the bringers of sexual healthcare to everyone, regardless of age, income, persuasion, or identity. Backing me up is the Mercury itself, serving as the […]
Posted inSexual Politics
Can Escort Sites Stop Child Prostitution With ID Checks?
This weekly column covers the intersection of gender, sex, and politics. If there’s an issue you think I should be writing about, let me know. Over the weekend, Mayor Sam Adams signed on to a resolution with the US Conference of Mayors to require classifieds site Backpage.com to change the way it takes escort ads. […]
Posted inNews
Sexual Politics
Mormons on the March
Surprise! Portland’s Mormons turn out for gay pride.
Posted inSexual Politics
Gay Divorce is the New Frontier
I was on sabbatical for three months, so this weekly blog column on gender and sexuality issues disappeared. But now my giant face banner is back! Hello! The Sexual Politics column archive is here—please feel free to email me issues you think I should cover. “Freedom to Marry” is a lovely, romantic rallying call. But […]
Posted inGirls Only!
Michigan State Reps Lisa Brown & Barb Byrum
Maddow: Michigan House Republicans have censured two of the women in this video, Democratic Representatives Lisa Brown and Barb Byrum, for their comments about vasectomies and vaginas yesterday. They’re not allowed to speak on the House floor, at least for today.