Feminism 101

These articles serve as an introduction to a variety of feminist issues—perfect for people who are looking to learn more. 

“X” Is a Slasher Film with an Important Message about Sex Work and Pornography

What the golden age of porn shows us is that good sex means breaking rules, not necessarily literal rules or laws that exist in our physical world, but rules or standards governing human conduct, morality, and ethics. 

“Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power” Is a Fresh Critique of the Male Gaze

Nina Menkes’s new documentary, “Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power,” provides a critical but shallow introduction to feminist film theory. Read more »

Male Rape is No Joke—But Pop Culture Often Treats It That Way

From Wedding Crashers to 40 Days and 40 Nights, films often treat sexual assault of men as a punchline.  Read more »

The Pleasure Dome: A New Column Will Explore the Intersection of Pleasure and Feminism

We’re going to start learning together. The Pleasure Dome is a space to ask shameless questions, love what we love and explore why, cultivate our interest in radical love and pleasure, and nourish the “yes” in each of us. Read more »

Some Of Us Are Brave: A Roundtable on Feminist Icons and Responsibility

What to do about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Lena Dunham, and, even Beysus—all of whom have made contributions to feminism, but have also said and done things contrary to feminist values? We assembled a diverse group of feminists to talk it out. Read more »

History Speaks for Itself: Migration, Women of Color, and the Fight for Equal Pay

The histories of wage disparities for women of color are different than those of white women, and these histories impact the stories we tell about equal pay and the solutions we generate. Read more »

We've Always Been Here: One Mujerista Talks Back to Intersectionality and White Feminism

When I see the word “intersectionality” being used, I want to see a sincere invitation to the table (it’s accessible right?) in a genuine attempt to build community. And if I do decide to show up, I expect to see the more privileged, abled parties willingly give up their seats for us Brown queer... Read more »

A Square Peg at the Roundtable: On Jessica Williams and Why Black Women are Not Here to Save You

Black women are frequently and unfairly made to be the voices of reason in liberal, predominantly white spaces. Read more »

Body Politic: Marginalization at the Women's March and Beyond

Here’s the thing about unity, though: it cannot be demanded. It must be constructed with care. Read more »

Follow Women of Color: Lessons from the Women's March on Washington

The rally before the march was packed with incredible speakers—Cecile Richards, Michael Moore, Van Jones, Gloria Steinem—but it was women of color, again and again, who brought the house down with their music and songs, with their words, and with their hearts. Read more »

Dispatches from Outside the Women's March

The Women’s March is not only a bold chapter in the continuing narrative of U.S. feminisms, it also accurately documented the problems still unresolved in feminist movements; namely white supremacy, bio essentialism, and ableism. Read more »

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It's Time to End the Long History of Feminism Failing Transgender Women

The marginalization of transgender women in feminism is not new, but the decades-long debate has taken on new dimension thanks to social media and the ease of finding strangers’ personal information online. Read more »

It’s Time to End the Long History of Feminism Failing Transgender Women

To imply that trans women pose a threat to cisgender women in restrooms is misinformation that preys on unfounded fears. Read more »

Oh Joy Sex Toy: How I Realized I'm Asexual

Artist Kiku H shares her personal experiences learning what it means to be asexual. Read more »

A Look at How Media Writes Women of Color

Nearly every Saturday morning, feminists of color hold Twitter discussions taking a deeper look at issues, such as gender violence. It’s the... Read more »