Lady Parts

by Chris Bobel | Nov 14, 2009 | Advertising, Communication, Humor, Language, Media, Menstruation

The land of euphemisms is a fantasy land. It is awash in pink. It never rains. The houses are made of gingerbread and the clouds of cotton candy. Look! There goes My Little Pony! It is a safe and happy place that keeps us innocent and pure.  Wait? Was that Strawberry...

Of the womb: That’s hysterical

by Elizabeth Kissling | Oct 13, 2009 | Communication

Blogger Abby Jean has a great post up today at the new Feminists with Disabilities blog about the etymology of the word hysterical, and how it is used against both women and people with disabilities. The word itself is derived from the Latin word hystericus, meaning...

A Critique of SNL’s Recent “Ladies Billiards” Skit: “Tampax to the Max Tournament of Champions”

by Elizabeth Kissling | Oct 13, 2009 | Communication, FemCare, Menstruation, Television

Guest Post by Heather Dillaway, Wayne State University Trying to find a reason to stay up late this past Saturday night, I found myself watching Saturday Night Live for a few minutes. Unfortunately I tuned in right before a skit called “Tampax to the Max,” a skit...

On the need for another kind of health care reform

by Elizabeth Kissling | Oct 12, 2009 | Communication, Health Care

Via Women’s Health News (a very useful blog maintained by medical librarian Rachel Walden), I learned of My OB said WHAT?!?. This site tracks appalling, offensive, and a few downright abusive things OB-GYN practitioners have said to their patients. A few...

The Etiquette of Menstrual Concealment Preserves Pain as well as Secrecy

by Elizabeth Kissling | Oct 9, 2009 | Communication, Menstruation, New Research

It’s great that menstrual taboo and stigma is ‘over’, as Amanda Fortini informed us earlier this week (see Chris’ post about the menstrual activism shitstorm across several blogs this week). Now maybe all those women suffering from debilitating...

When You Hit a Nerve…..

by Chris Bobel | Oct 7, 2009 | Activism, Communication, Internet, Media, Menstruation, New Research

3 features in 4 days 160 comments plus another 120 plus another 39 and still they post... MENSTRUAL ACTIVISM has hit a nerve! On Friday, The Guardian published a story on menstrual activism which featured a photograph of a woman with *menstrual blood* on her lips (a...