Culture

Adventures in Feministory: Clara Schumann, Classical Music Composer

Though Clara Schumann was born in 1819, her biography reads more like a modern-day drama. Raised by a divorced father (the infamously temperamental piano teacher Frederick Wieck), Schumann quickly developed virtuoso skills on the piano and became a child star, touring Europe before the age of 18.... Read more »

Thinking Kink: Does Female Submission Mean Oppression?

Before I even get into the thorny issue of how the media represents female sexual submissives, I want to lay some groundwork and represent feminists on both sides of the debate: Is the female submissive who consensually participates in BDSM empowered or betraying the sisterhood? Read more »

On Our Radar: Coming Out, "Booty Pop," and Trans Women in Media!

Well, this has been an exciting week! As you’ve probably heard, Andersoon Cooper came out earlier this week. Super exciting to hear, but here’s why when straight... Read more »

Thinking Kink: Did Jared Leto and 30 Seconds to Mars Do BDSM Better?

A wise soul suggested that, if I wanted to see BDSM imagery meet pop culture, I should take a look at 30 Seconds To Mars’ video for their song “Hurricane.” Watch Jared Leto getting kinky, you say? Oh, well, if you insist. The things I do for this blog… ... Read more »

Douchebag Decree: James Carnell and the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association's Racist, Sexist, Terrible Newsletter

The Boston Police Department has been in the news lately, and not for entertaining buddy cop shenanigans. Well, unless you count publishing a racist, homophobic, sexist, bigoted, rage-inducing... Read more »

Bridal Party: Scooch Over, Gender Binary!

One thing I found in planning my own wedding, and in being semi-privy to other queer weddings, was that the very fact of queerness and/or same-sex-ness sort of short circuited everyone’s conscious and unconscious cultural assumptions. It’s almost as though since the expectation of... Read more »

Thinking Kink: The Appeal of the Submissive Male

Other men may condemn them, but how do women feel about men who want to be dominated? Today I’m thinking again about masculinity and how it’s dealt with in media representations of kink, and pondering why a submissive man might appeal to some people… Read more »

Adventures in Feministory: Katherine Mansfield

I like to yank hermits into the spotlight. I'm a sucker for women whose work is sometimes considered "secondary," who kept a low profile... Read more »

Douchebag Decree: Race, Bunheads, and Amy Sherman-Palladino

It’s never a surprise when new shows on television lack diversity. Someone writes about how awfully white a show is, it stirs up some commotion on the Internet but people continue watching, (*cough* Girls *cough*) and that’s about the extent of it. And it’s not so... Read more »

Lady Business: Until Next Time and Thank You

This is my last post for Lady Business. It has been a lightning fast eight weeks, but it’s been so wonderful to interact with you all. I hope to trade ideas and words with you again sometime soon. Read more »

Pages

Know & Tell: The Literary Renaissance of Trans Women Writers

For so long, the people who wrote about us were not us. Finally, that is beginning to change. Read more »

The Feminist Power of Female Ghosts

The female ghost is an enduringly fascinating figure. Read more »

Mad Science: Deconstructing Bunk Reporting in 5 Easy Steps

British scientists have uncovered the truth behind one of modern culture's greatest mysteries: why little girls play with pink toys. Is it...

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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 »