Sex, Power, and Politics Blog

Personhood USA is an anti-abortion activist group whose goal is to “serve Jesus by being an Advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves, the pre-born child” by gaining legal rights for fertilized embryos from the exact point of conception by petitioning for “personhood” amendments in state constitutions. Basically, this would “ban abortion in all cases, including incest and rape, and criminalize some forms of contraception”.  I found many articles about this group, most of them taking a very obvious pro-choice stand on the issue. Though this writer also has a more pro-choice viewpoint, I thought she did a good job of providing at least some constructive arguments as to why these amendments would decrease women’s rights. I found this to be extremely relevant to our course because it addresses the interactions between government, societal pressures, and women’s personal and reproductive rights and gives us a little bit of a different perspective on the debate about abortion.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gqgTwUOptbYZNW4nrfh-akk8enIAD9AMIA8O3

The Center for Women’s Policy Studies pertains to the overall welfare of women in many contrasting regards. It does not focus primarily on one topic involving women, but spreads from health care to the rising issue of low income/ homeless women.  Its purpose is to take needed information and use that as a tool to impact public policy. By placing rising issues in regards to women into the spot light, more awareness and hopefully pro active voices will push for changes within the government. This is closely related to the POL285 course in regards to the focus on controversial issues involving women such as abortion issues, birth control, healthcare accessibility, and gender rights.

Ms. Magazine online has articles from the feminist magazine as well as other resources. Ms. magazine has been publishing since 1971 and currently publishes bright and colorful issues. Although the topics normally relate to women’s issues, they are supportive of the GLBT community. I would characterize them has having a lot of spunk and creatively discussing traditionally taboo topics. Ms. tries to be innovative and address current problems in society, so I think the magazine and website would provide an entertaining look at gender and sex’s role in 2009.

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/

Focus on the Family is a Colorado based interest group focused on organizing and informing individuals about marital and sexual issues. Focus on the Family is regarded as one of the more conservative sources of information regarding faith, politics, and sexual topics.

This Center for Women Policy Studies is an independent resource that was established as the first feminist policy analysis and research facility in the USA in 1972. It’s mission statement states that it aims “to shape public policy to improve women’s lives and preserve women’s human rights…Our programs consider the combined impact of gender, race, ethnicity, class, age, disability, and sexual orientation.” This website provides updates and links to relevant policy affecting women’s rights, as well as access to a variety of publications available to the public and news updates. The CWPS is connected to programs that include subjects such as Women’s Health, Women & Poverty, US Foreign Policy and Its Impact on Women, and many others. This site is especially helpful for promoting advocacy among women, as well as providing them with detailed information regarding upcoming events related to women’s rights. 

The CWPS website pertains to the themes and topics of this course not only because it addresses many sub-topics under the umbrella terms of Sex, Power and Politics,  but also because it provides action steps and promotes advocacy for those who wish to show integrity in not just learning what we learn in class, but doing something about it and taking action through following provided links to sign contracts, conducting further research, and connecting with those involved with policy making.  

http://www.centerwomenpolicy.org/default.asp

The Center for Reproductive Rights is an organization that “uses the law to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right that all governments are legally obligated to protect, respect, and fulfill” (Our Mission section of website).  The site offers information pertaining to abortion, young people’s rights, contraception, HIV/AIDS and censorship. The site also splits up issues based on regions of the world, in which each region has a spotlight section along with cases and resources concerning that region.

The Center for Reproductive Rights will be a valuable tool as we study regulations and laws affecting women, as the website is devoted to defending women’s reproductive freedom within the political sphere.

http://reproductiverights.org/

http://www.ncrw.org/ncrwbigfive/?page_id=20

The National Council for Research on Women is a website that utilizes the networking of over 115 important research, advocacy and policy centers as well as over 2000 experts.  This website is committed to fully informing its readers on current issues related to women in hopes of a world where all are equal.  The website features a blog called “The Real Deal” where the latest information and research on topics affecting the nation’s women are posted by the site experts.  Topics in the blog include high school girls involved in engineering and technology, dealing with pregnancy in a recession, stopping violence against women, wartime rape and rights of transgender immigrants.   The website also includes links to contact experts, get involved in programs, among many other things.  Overall, I think that this website is extremely beneficial for women in communication and understanding what is going on in the nation today. 

This website and the featured blog pertain to the themes and topics of the course by giving current and useful information to what is going on in the nation economically, as well as what women can do to advance themselves presently.

National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest feminist organization in the United States. NOW’s mission is to “eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; secure abortion, birth control and reproductive rights for all women; end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia; and promote equality and justice in our society” (about NOW section of website).

This website serves as an extensive resource to articles on current events, links to other websites relating to NOW’s mission, campaigns and events and ways to take action. There is a section organized by current key issues, many relating to our class. These issues include, but are not limited to; abortion and reproductive rights, ending sex discrimination, lesbian rights, violence against women, marriage equality, mothers/caregivers economic rights, and young feminist programs. Its strongest characteristic is up-to-date information/links to articles on current events relating to feminism.

http://www.now.org/

This website is an excellent resource for all things pertaining to GLBTQ culture. The homepage immediately offers information regarding a number of GLBTQ issues such as adoption, adolescents, same-sex marriage, and information about influential people who have addressed GLBTQ issues. There are also links to arts, literature, and social sciences that some how relate to GLBTQ culture. The website offers an area for discussion on general topics like arts, television, literature, politics & activism, and film. Since GLBTQ issues will most definitely be addressed in this course (as stated in the syllabus) I think this website could prove to be rather valuable.

http://www.glbtq.com