One year ago, we published an issue of the Mercury for International Women’s Day with only women and nonbinary contributors. This year, we’ve been asked again and again if it’s “really that bad” and what men can do to help.
There are a lot of things that would help—keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, equal representation in Congress, a president who isn’t a serial sexual assaulter, the ability to get the health care we need when we need it, and the freedom to walk home alone without fear. To answer your question, yes, it really is “that bad.” It’s always been “that bad.” Welcome to the Upside Down that women and nonbinary folks call another fucking Wednesday. You’re late to this party, and it’s time to catch up. We’re tired of explaining and asking nicely.
So these are our demands. If you really care about making lasting change in the wake of #MeToo and #TimesUp, you’d do well to pay attention. And if you read through this list and still have questions and need a woman to answer them for you? First, ask her what her hourly rate is for emotional labor, and pre-pay on Venmo. Also, bring snacks, but don’t offer to buy her a drink, unless she requests a bottle of gin as payment, in which case, buy Aviation.