“Sex work is work,” is an oft-repeated refrain. But who is behind the megaphone? And who is paying the price? For most women and girls, especially from the Global South (and poor, racialized and displaced women everywhere), the notion that prostitution is freely chosen collapses under scrutiny. More often than not, entering the sex trade is not a choice, but an act of survival under patriarchal and capitalist constraints. So, who is sex work legalization really for? And what would it ...| Ms. Magazine
From the October 1975 issue of Ms.: 'Until now it has been thought that the level of testosterone in men is normal simply because they have it. But if you consider how abnormal their behavior is, then you are led to the hypothesis that almost all men are suffering from testosterone poisoning. ... 'The pathological violence of most men hardly needs to be mentioned. They are responsible for more wars than any other leading sex. 'Testosterone poisoning is particularly cruel because its sufferers...| Ms. Magazine
Despite many states imposing sweeping abortion bans after Dobbs, more Americans are having abortions, not fewer.“Abortion bans haven’t stopped people from seeking care,” said Alison Norris, M.D., Ph.D., #WeCount co-chair.| Ms. Magazine
Front & Center amplifies the voices of Black women navigating poverty—highlighting their struggles, resilience and dreams as they care for their families, build careers and challenge systems not built for their success. Now in its fourth year, Front & Center is a collaboration between Ms. and Springboard to Opportunities, a nonprofit based in Jackson, Miss., working alongside residents of federally subsidized housing as they pursue their goals. Linda, a proud mother and grandmother in Jack...| Ms. Magazine
For decades, clinicians relied on the gold standard of medication abortion care: a two-pill regimen. Mifepristone is taken first, followed by misoprostol 24 to 48 hours later. However, misoprostol can be used alone for abortion. Recent research on patients in the U.S. confirms that misoprostol-only abortion is not only safe and effective, but that patients respond positively to using it. In light of the FDA’s recent decision to reopen its safety review of mifepristone—a move advocates ...| Ms. Magazine
To celebrate the nationwide accessibility of abortion pills—even three years after Dobbs—Mayday Health took out a series of cheeky ads in the hometown newspapers of each of the five Supreme Court justices who struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022: Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.The five ads each feature a picture of the justice in question and cheerfully announce, “Abortion pills are more popular than ever. Thanks, Brett! ”| Ms. Magazine
Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, a 13-year-old grassroots organization that advocates for common-sense gun safety laws, knows what it means to take personal and political risks. Her second book, Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is part memoir and part inspirational self-help tract. Her goal? To encourage women “to live a life on fire.' 'Too often, as women, we are complicit in our own oppression. We need to ask ourselves the same question...| Ms. Magazine
Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene's misleading bill exploits the fight against female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) to attack lifesaving gender-affirming care and undermine bodily autonomy for all.This false equivalence is grossly disingenuous, dangerous and extreme. It’s a transphobic ploy to stoke fear and score political points, all while dehumanizing trans people.| Ms. Magazine
We can’t cede the United States or our collective notion of patriotism to President Trump and his MAGA supporters. Almost 200 years ago, Frances Wright, an early feminist, abolitionist and utopian visionary, gave a Fourth of July address that celebrated true patriotism as the embrace of change, moving always toward the improvement of humanity. In 1828, women didn’t speak in public—and when they did, it was only for other women. Wright was one of the first to break those barriers, g...| Ms. Magazine
New Mexico state Sen. Angel Charley's journey to elected office began with feminist organizing. Now she's centering Indigenous women's rights during a historic moment for gender representation in New Mexico politics. 'I’m a mom. I’m a daughter of parents that are getting older. I’m a wife and a partner, but I’m also an Indigenous woman. I’m a Native woman before I’m anything else in this world. ... I’m constantly asking: How is this going to affect tribes, nations and pueblos? H...| Ms. Magazine