Editorial note: I wrote this months ago, and kept pushing it back in my editorial calendar because I expected it to cause more conflict (and frankly, more death threats) than it was worth. I knew that the pro-AI folks would weaponize whatever they could do justify the unchecked use of this potentially dangerous technology, and the extremist anti-AI folks would seize upon my suggestions that maybe we shouldn’t execute users of AI as a signal of my lack of moral purity. I urge readers to consider that this is a place for substantive discussion and meaningful debate. Share your thoughts and your opinions, not your threats. If I’m wrong about something, convince me.

Discover how exercise can boost your sex life after 50 by improving blood flow, testosterone, and confidence. We're talking fitness, relationships, and why men need safe spaces to talk openly.

Bernadette Greene-Placentia, the Democrat running to represent Arizona’s ultra-conservative 8th congressional district, says she was raped while fixing one of her campaign signs this past summer. Greene-Placentia reported the assault to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, which is currently investigating.

The Trump administration wants to redefine testosterone as political power play. This isn't about biology; it's about reinforcing patriarchal values like aggression and dominance. Let's call this what it is: an attempt to tighten patriarchy's grip.

Right wing opponents of women’s rights and bodily autonomy cannot win on the facts, so they’ve decided to create a fact-free world. And sadly, they’re winning the battle. Even media coverage of abortion often contains errors, and many of us have mistaken beliefs and ideas about pregnancy termination, even if we identify as pro-choice.

AI's looming educational impacts spark concern among white parents, while systemic racism in schools remains overlooked. We explore why AI threats dominate conversations despite existing inequities. Join us in advocating for a more honest dialogue about both issues.

Women aren't meant to be consistent—we're complex, ever-changing beings. Stop trying to mold your creativity into a neat little box. Let your many voices shine.

Consent is specific, not a blanket agreement. A woman's enthusiasm for one act doesn't mean she's agreed to every possibility. Her boundaries matter, even if she's flirtatious, drunk, or adventurous. Sexual freedom must include the freedom to safely explore desires without fear.

The ADF is at it again, this time using a cisgender wrestler's match against a transgender opponent to push for statewide bans on trans athletes. They're weaponizing 'parental rights' to demand notification when trans kids are competing, which could lead to outing students. This isn't about safety—it's about erasing trans kids from public life.

The Tudors have everything you could want from reality TV: power struggles, family drama, scandal, betrayal and enough complicated relationships to fill several seasons. And according to bestselling …

I wake at 7am already regretting the decision to leave my bed after only six hours. But I know my future self, who wants to resume the rhythm of her “normal” life, will thank me. Gently tugging the decrepit blind cords of my windows, I reveal a pale pink skyline over the Olympic mountain range. I eagerly grind my Oaxacan coffee, deeply inhaling the caramel aroma. Carefully, I unwrap the cellophane of my chocolate bar, a gift from our Oaxacan chef. It’s the only food I have in the house.

Dive into a diverse collection of feminist voices tackling politics, history, culture, and more. This week's highlights include local democracy, matrilocality, and essential conversations about sexual violence. Don't miss out on these empowering perspectives.

Trump's recent Ohio rally was a spectacle of fear-mongering, with him falsely claiming Democrats 'mutilize' children to turn them transgender. His outdated, harmful views on trans rights and women's sports show just how out of touch he is. Meanwhile, even some Democrats are rolling over on trans rights, but history shows these attacks don't win elections.

Eleven years in, time reveals the truth: desire is fluid, identities are not set in stone. From stockings to wigs, watch a submissive unfold under the guidance of a loving Dominant, where feminization becomes worship, not humiliation.

When the news broke last week of the seven Cornell fraternity members who allegedly gang raped a 20-year-old woman, referred to as “Jane Doe” in court documents, the breaking news didn’t come from a legacy news organization like a New York Times or Washington Post.

The news was brought to light by two Cornell University student journalists — editor-in-chief, Sophia Dasser, and senior editor and writer, Cereese Qusba, who both work for The Cornell Sun, a local independent student paper covering Cornell University. For nearly two years, Dasser, Qusbs, and the editorial team at The Cornell Sun investigated the rape allegations, the unversity’s reponse to the survivor’s initial report to police, and the lawsuit filed by Jane Doe against Cornell University last month.

What if more women fought back against their assaulters? One woman shares her experience beating her assaulter and explains why we should encourage it. She argues that society would be better off if more women were willing to engage in justified violence against men.

Women's anger and heartbreak over the Cornell rape case highlight the deep-seated fear in heterosexual relationships. This moment calls for more than just better consent education; it demands a reckoning with masculinity and persistent rape culture.

The Womanizer Next Liberty isn't just another bullet vibrator; it's a game-changer. With its unique clit-sucking technology and customizable intensity levels, it offers a thrilling experience. Perfect for solo play or partnered fun, this toy is designed to elevate your pleasure.

A few days ago, I tried to write about my own experiences with sexual assault. I have more than one, spread across nearly twenty years of my life, and I discovered fairly quickly that my body had absolutely no interest in cooperating with my intellectual desire to Make A Point On The Internet. My heart was pounding; I felt nauseous; my blood pressure spiked enough to concern my GP if she’d been in the room, and every muscle in my body tightened.1 I was sitting perfectly safely in my own home while my nervous system apparently had decided that we were being hunted for sport.

Let's kick off the weekend by celebrating 25 years of Pregnancy Justice and sharing our personal wins. From inspiring speeches to everyday joys, we all have something to cherish.

Across India, women, girls and Gen Z are taking to the streets. Most recently, protests erupted following a speight of rapes including of girls and students on college campuses, these coming just weeks after mass demonstrations, known as the ‘cockroach movement’ protests, against government corruption and failures of accountability.

Reporting from the protests for FEMINIST, Tan saw something many have missed: a generation branded “apolitical” quietly building new ways to organize, mobilize and create change.

From political breakthroughs to legal battles, women's leadership and rights are shaping global conversations. Dive into this week's top stories and see how matriarchal values are influencing change worldwide.

It’s not uncommon for a ton of my clients with incontinence to find that mobility — not kegels — is the thing that “magically” solves leaking.

Discover the distinct planes of sexual and psychological domination in kink. Learn why understanding this distinction can transform your submission experience. Honor what you bring to the dynamic.

Midlife sex isn't what it used to be, but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyable. Dr. Maria Sophocles shares insights on desire, pleasure, and practical ways to reconnect with sexuality after menopause. Learn about vaginal estrogen, stress management, and the five M's for reigniting passion.

I’ve just had to block yet another “writer” who reposted one of my posts with a wall of AI-generated commentary in an attempt to use my work to gain followers. My inbox is filled with writers sending me links to their work, and with companies begging me to give them access to my audience.

Republican attorneys general from Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas just filed two sweeping lawsuits targeting dozens of providers who ship abortion pills and the blue states that protect them. One suit asks the U.S. Supreme Court to end shield laws, which would allow conservative states to extradite abortion providers. The second suit names 30 providers, organizations, and pharmacies, seeking injunctions, damages, and threatening RICO claims.

There are many perfectly normal ways to disagree with a politician. You can criticise her policies, campaign against her, vote for someone else, write an angry letter to the editor, or stand outside holding a sign with far too many words on it in a font nobody driving past can possibly read. Democracy has options.

Women have been tirelessly responding to men's violence for years, but it's time for a break. Here are 25 essays we won't be writing this week because women deserve rest. Instead, let's talk about why men aren't stepping up to address these issues.

Discover why male chastity is trending and how Locktober can electrify desire and deepen relationships. It's not punishment; it's permission.

Anti-Abortion Republicans in blue states are trying to appear moderate, but their tactics show they'd still restrict abortion access if given the chance. From California to Oregon, their so-called 'reasonable' positions are just smoke and mirrors. It's time to call out their games and demand accountability.

Hi. Welcome to my feminist advice column. You can read all previous entries HERE. For those of you who want to write me a letter, you can fill in THIS FORM directly. I will answer your question in a letter here in about a month (or potentially more, my backlog is a bit crowded, sorry!).

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear calls out Democrats caving to anti-trans rhetoric. His message? We don't abandon anyone, especially not our trans family. Compassion and principle won him re-election—let's follow his lead.

Twelve years ago, I interviewed a Columbia University student who went from class to class carrying an extra-long, twin-size mattress on her back. You see, Emma Sulkowicz had been raped on that mattress. And when her attacker went unpunished by Columbia, Sulkowicz decided to carry it as a piece of activist performance art: a constant, undeniable reminder of the crushing weight college administrators had placed on her back.

From challenging marriage institutions to celebrating queer history and women's leadership, this week's feminist roundup is packed with thought-provoking pieces. Dive into discussions on sexual conservatism, empathy, and patriarchy's long-standing women's auxiliary. It's time to engage, reflect, and act.

I once told someone at a party that I worked for a newsletter called Abortion, Every Day, and watched his face contort in shock: “Is there really news about abortion every day?” he asked me. Well, yes. And, in fact, there’s quite a lot of it! So, that’s why we write The Week in Abortion, too—so you can go into next week with a solid overview of last week’s (many!) key stories.

Kick off Monday with a curated list of must-read articles from leading feminist voices. Dive into topics ranging from AI law to climate action, all through a gender-conscious lens.

Matrilineal societies offer valuable insights into understanding and preventing rape. What can we learn from cultures where sexual violence is rare or unknown? Explore the power of gender equality and complementary roles between women and men.

Professor Kate's unexpected penis reveals the absurdity of applying animal behaviors to human gender norms. What if we focused more on consent and less on what ducks supposedly tell us about 'natural' behavior? One thing's for sure, May isn't letting her duck's penis dictate family dynamics.

Imagine a world where women's safety, autonomy, and mental health aren't afterthoughts. Suicide prevention begins when we prioritize women's needs, hold abusers accountable, and teach men empathy and respect. It's time to build communities that uplift, support, and truly care for everyone.

This is a Liberating Motherhood Rerun. I have an archive of more than 1,000 posts I’ve published over the years. New subscribers only see these posts if they go digging through the archives. And because I’ve been doing this for so long, even older subscribers may forget about helpful pieces.

Unmanned is a reader-supported publication. If you’ve found this essay useful and thought-provoking, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support means a great deal and enables me to dedicate more time to in-depth feminist writing, research, and advocacy. Thanks for reading and sharing.

If you enjoy this story, liking and sharing it helps me reach a wider audience. Becoming a subscriber is a great way to support my work, and becoming a paying subscriber is even better! Paying subscribers enable me to offer these longer, research-informed stories for free, and they get full access to my series of “interruptions” — short reflections on simple ways we can interrupt white patriarchal narratives.

A parent discovers their child exploring nudity online. Here’s how to turn panic into a teachable moment about consent, healthy exploration, and body positivity.

I first defined medical sexual assault (MSA) and clinical rape culture (CRC) in this 2023 article, “Presumed Consent for Pelvic Exams Under Anesthesia Is Medical Sexual Assault.” In this piece, I discuss how an often-commonplace practice in clinical care meets basic criteria for sexual assault outside of care settings, but is otherwise dismissed, justified, and normalized within health “care” as necessary, routine, or banal. This is not the only practice that meets this criteria, and the environment of clinical rape culture that facilitates and sustains this and other practices is otherwise rendered invisible unless we are paying close attention. The goal of this series is to help us all see and name CRC and begin to effect change.

May explores the Hyrox fiasco, a squat-inducing app, and reconnecting to pleasure after pain. She doesn't shy away from the messy details, offering insights and support.

We know it can be annoying when someone older than you tries to give you life advice. It doesn’t matter whether you’re seventeen or seventy; sometimes you don’t want to hear it. However, sometimes only lived experience can teach us life lessons. The way we feel about relationships, work, family, and ourselves constantly changes, and there’s a reason they say hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Standing before a Picasso painting, one writer reflects on how the artist's fractured female figures mirror society's reduction of women to mere objects. His mistreatment of women echoes through his art, leaving a stain both on his legacy and our collective consciousness.

Dive deep into the complexities of trauma and its impacts on individuals and communities. Join our book club discussion as we explore healing and collective liberation together. Don't miss this insightful journey.

Tech companies want you to believe AI can fix heterosexual relationships, but the real solution is simple: stop centering men. We dive into the latest AI hype, why it's failing women, and what you should do instead.

When Louise O’Neill’s long-term relationship ended at 38, just six months after she and her partner had bought a home together, the future she had imagined for he…

Several years ago, while on tour for Touched Out, I sat in a coffee shop with , who I had just met at a book event. She told me about a memoir she was working on about her evangelical upbringing and a family secret. I remember her sharing her simultaneous trepidation and conviction about telling her story when the book was just in its earliest stages.

Mental health shouldn't be a patriarchal weapon to silence women. We explore how men exploit mental health narratives to maintain dominance and what you can do about it.

A Tennessee woman was denied an abortion even though her fetus had no brain and skull, forcing her to travel out of state for care. Meanwhile, the Mormon Church is urging members to oppose pro-choice measures in Idaho and Nevada. It's time to recognize how these bans prioritize ideology over women's lives.

This week's roundup serves up a feast of feminist thought, tackling everything from the failures of matriarchy to the fight for abortion access. Discover how to grow your friendships, resist ageist beauty standards, and understand why men are often blindsided by divorce. It's a potluck of perspectives that'll feed your mind and soul.

Please help me understand this bizarre behavior. My husband is a very high earner, which means I don’t have to work. Yes, I’m aware of why you say stay-at-home motherhood is dangerous, and I agree, but I’m a SAHM for now.

From Louise Michel to Rojava, discover the power of anarchist feminism to dismantle systems of domination. This isn't just history; it's a roadmap for revolution.

After six years of silence, a feminist giant shares her journey through pandemic, perimenopause, and the hardest story she's ever covered—her own life. She invites us to wonder and wander together, disrupting the trifecta of patriarchy along the way.

Alice Weidel has become one of the most recognisable faces of Germany’s far right. After the Alternative for Germany won almost 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, Weidel stood before the cameras and declared that Germans had given the party a mandate to govern. The AfD fell three seats short of a parliamentary majority, but the message was unmistakable: the far right is no longer asking to be heard. It is asking to rule.

Sydney Sweeney's Novig ad isn't just disappointing; it's a reminder that women's bodies are still seen as more marketable than their achievements. In a supposed 'sports' ad, the sport becomes the backdrop while the woman takes center stage. It's time to stop calling this 'just sports' and start demanding better.

This is Chapter 2 of my book Matriarchy. I’m releasing working drafts of chapters to paid subscribers before the book’s publication in 2027. Thank you for supporting the gestation of this work. 🪷

Bitchy History runs on reader support, historical spite, and the occasional deeply cursed primary source. Free subscriptions help you keep up with new posts, but paid subscriptions directly support the research, writing, and primary-source excavation behind this work. If you enjoy feminist history with teeth, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

Women continue to face life-threatening consequences due to restrictive abortion laws across the globe. This week’s headlines highlight the urgent need for change.

Tired of hunching over your laptop all day? This upper body workout targets tight shoulders and necks while also benefiting your pelvic floor. Discover how thoracic rotation and intra-abdominal pressure management can make a difference.

Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, releases an ad echoing Republican rhetoric against trans kids, calling their existence an 'ideology.' She voted with Republicans to keep trans kids out of schools and off sports teams. This isn’t progress—it’s regression.

A wave of anti-trans attack ads is sweeping across the US, aiming to stir up disgust against trans people and influence voters. These ads, funded by Elon Musk's America PAC, accuse Democrats of supporting 'men in women's sports' and 'shared bathrooms.' Meanwhile, some Democrats struggle to respond effectively.

Women don’t just 'leave for no reason.' They’ve tried, begged, and sacrificed for years before finally gathering the strength to walk away from miserable relationships. Men are furious because women dare to assert autonomy over their own lives.

Last week, I read from my book Touched Out to a small circle of parents (mostly moms, but one dad!) and their babies in Oakland. It was a delightful, magical little group, and we had a robust, freewheeling conversation about what makes early parenthood so hard and about all we gain and lose in the process.

Join May as she unpacks chapters 3 & 4 of Birthing Liberation, exploring racial divides in reproductive justice and the path to collective liberation. Discover how scarcity and abundance shape our experiences and why centering marginalized voices is crucial. Dive deep into the power systems and intersecting oppressions that impact birthing people.

From anti-misogyny to art x feminism, a newsletter evolves. Explore feminist resistance and imagine a better future together. Join the conversation.

When Gloria Steinem got married at 66, the world was shocked. Steinem married, wtf? A reporter at The New Yorker asked if she changed. She said no, marriage changed. She said look, if she’d married when she should have, she’d have lost her name, her credit, and a lot of her civil rights. But we spent thirty years fighting to change marriage laws in America, yeah? You can have an equal marriage now.

On Monday, a federal court ruled that Washington employers with health plans covering maternity care must also cover abortions—upholding state law and rejecting a legal challenge from the Cedar Park Assembly of God of Kirkland. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the religious employer failed to prove Washington’s Reproductive Parity Act of 2018 is “[hostile]” toward religion.

Rob Sand's flip-flopping on trans athletes reveals the unsettling trend of Democrats caving to right-wing narratives. While claiming to support equality, Sand's actions show a selective application of 'fairness.' It's time to call out this hypocrisy and demand true allyship from our leaders.

The threat of male violence shapes every aspect of women's lives, yet we pretend it disappears when we walk into the office. Violence against women isn't a side issue—it's the main barrier to equal pay, promotions, and power.

Hi friends! I was so honored when Dr. Allyson Augusta Shrikande (“Dr. Ally”), a physiatrist specializing in nerve blocks and co-founder of Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine reached out to have a conversation about her work and the intersection of pelvic floor therapy.

Abdul El-Sayed champions medical autonomy, insisting decisions about healthcare should rest between patients, their parents (if minors), and doctors—not government. He calls out bipartisan hypocrisy, reminding conservatives of their 'Right to Try' legislation while defending trans healthcare rights.

Living feminist values isn't just about what we know intellectually; deep-seated conditioning makes change challenging. One reader shares her struggle and gets practical advice for embracing true feminist living. Self-awareness is the first step towards lasting change, and there's pride to be found in acknowledging our biases.

There’s a quiet satisfaction in seeing someone misjudge you, especially when they assume your kindness is weakness. Real dominance isn't about loud commands—it's strategic, psychological, and deeply satisfying.

Ever wondered how anxiety might be sneaking into your sex life? It's not just about getting out of bed or focusing at work. Anxiety can show up in the bedroom too, affecting both men and women. Let's talk about how it happens and what we can do about it.

This is a Liberating Motherhood Rerun. I have an archive of more than 1,000 posts I’ve published over the years. New subscribers only see these posts if they go digging through the archives. And because I’ve been doing this for so long, even older subscribers may forget about helpful pieces.

I have been a longtime follower of , who I initially found on TikTok highlighting stories of gendered police violence. On substack, she tabulates weekly news of police sexual assault, which I highly recommend - the most recent issue is available here. It is partially in the spirit of her work toward archiving gendered police violence that I want to offer regular updates about sexual violence and rape culture in care practices.

Hubby and I have had the same cycle for years: he does almost nothing at home, escalates into emotional and verbal abuse, is a mediocre to bad parent, and begs for terrible sex during which he doesn’t care about my pleasure.

This week saw a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy case while the Trump Administration shifted funds from maternal care to men's health. Meanwhile, women's rights advocates worldwide face backlash, from striking workers at the Eiffel Tower to released journalists in Sudan.

Elon Musk’s America PAC has dropped $100 million to support the GOP in critical races that could control the future of the Senate. It includes TV commercials, digital ads, and a social media blitz across platforms Musk owns and platforms he doesn’t. The eleventh-hour push is a brazen attempt to stoke the anti-trans moral panic and turn equal rights for transgender people into a make-or-break campaign issue.

The Democrat running for Texas governor has released a new, deeply personal ad that puts abortion at the center of her campaign. (Even if she doesn’t say the word.) In the ad, which you can watch below, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa shares her story of receiving a fatal fetal diagnosis. She chose, as some pregnant women do, to move forward; she gave birth, and her newborn baby girl died shortly after.

From Rebecca Solnit to Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett, global writers share how Gloria Steinem's fearless leadership inspired them. They reflect on her impact, her imperfections, and why her legacy matters today. Join us in honoring a woman who showed us what it means to lead.

A few years ago, a rumor began circulating that The Rings of Power might make Sauron queer. The version that lodged permanently in my brain appeared during the buildup to season two, when PinkNews repeated the “rather far-fetched” speculation that Sauron and Celebrimbor might become romantically involved.

Texas conveniently delays its maternal mortality report until December, skipping crucial post-abortion ban data. Meanwhile, ProPublica reveals ectopic pregnancy deaths have nearly doubled since Roe fell. Not surprising when Republicans hide truths and manipulate stats.

Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem weren’t perfect, and neither are we. Celebrate women’s achievements while acknowledging their flaws. Criticism isn’t cancellation; it’s an opportunity to learn and grow.

A Goddess shares her journey of balancing compassionate care with commanding devotion. Learn how true leadership blends softness and strength, creating a powerful dynamic. Explore the depths of psychological kink and the art of surrender.