By Alison Channon
A LOOK FROM THE BIMA
“The chazzan, I could do worse,” Mitchell thought as he looked up at Bruce on the Bima. It was 1982 and Bruce was serving as the High Holiday Cantorial Soloist at Or Chadash, Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian synagogue. Bruce had noticed Mitchell too. “Who could miss him with the red beard and all the hair he once had? He was cute.”
Clint Cantwell/Ginger KaiKai
I was a few weeks away from turning eight and I was obsessed with the show The Weakest Link. The host, Anne Robinson, sent chills down my spine. I was in love with her stern strength and her power. Almost-eight-year-old me thought she was capable of anything. I loved repeating her almost monotone, yet still somehow emotive, catch phrase: “You are the weakest link. GOODBYE.” The only thing missing from the drama of the show was a trapdoor to send the contestant whirling to a literal deep pit of disappointment. (What a missed opportunity on the part of the directors.) I religiously watched this show. But the episode on On October 29th, 2001 was a tad different for me.
Continue reading “Gender: “You are the weakest link, goodbye!””
Becka Wall | @beckawall
Society has made great strides in treating those in the LGBTQ community with dignity and respect – in 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in the united states, proclaiming that “love is love.”
It was a beautiful moment in U.S. politics – with couples crying, rushing to wed, and celebrating outside the Supreme Court.
But the fight for equality isn’t over.
Team Moxie
Hi Moxie Readers!
As many of you know, June marks LGBTQ+ Pride month – a time to celebrate progress and to mark how far we still have to go until the LGBTQ community will finally be treated as full equals in society.
Becka Wall – @beckawall
It’s Friday at 5 PM. You’re wiped from battling the patriarchy all week and cancelled all your plans for the evening. Your Thai food order is placed and your glass of wine is poured. Now the questions that plagues us all: what should I watch?
If you’re ready for something to empower you to keep resisting, fear not. We’ve got you covered.
Continue reading “Feminist movies for your next Netflix marathon”
Becka Wall – @beckawall
House Republicans passed a health care bill last week that, among other things, would “defund” Planned Parenthood, kick 24 million Americans off health insurance and allow states to charge those with “pre-existing conditions” higher premiums.
So what, exactly, are pre-existing conditions? The list is long – more than 50 conditions, from acne to thyroid disorders – but apparently things that are part of everyday life for many women are included, like having a heavy period, postpartum depression, giving birth via c-section and pregnancy.
By Lauren Linhard – moxie.lauren@gmail.com
50 years ago, the cameras captured Kathrine Switzer being harassed by Race Director Jock Semple while running the Boston Marathon: “Get the hell out of my race and give me those numbers,” he yelled, echoing the common thought of the time that sports of such caliber were only meant for men.
Not only did she finish the Boston Marathon then, and 39 other marathons afterwards, but Switzer returned to complete the marathon on April 17 at age 70, running her fastest marathon in 46 years.
Continue reading “50 Years Later: First Woman to Officially Run Boston Marathon Returns”
By Alexis Cheney – @akcheney
It was only when my dad called from a hospital bed after driving his mower off the ledge of his yard and onto a rocky ravine did I consider my parents — already 78 and 63 — will not live forever.
Continue reading “6 Steps to Help Your Parents Plan for Their Golden Years”
By Mandy Dean – Washington, DC
2016: The year America determined explicit proof that someone is a misogynist is not a disqualifying factor to be Leader of the Free World.
Secretary Clinton possessed extensive knowledge of foreign diplomacy, domestic policy and drew from a record of life in public service. No one can refute Donald Trump’s opponent was a uniquely qualified presidential candidate.
But she was also not a man.
Continue reading “The Myth that Keeps Women from Running for Office”
Moxie 