Why is this the world we live in? I will never be free in this body. Sex is something that is weaponized against me and is stripped of its pleasure despite my desire to participate in it. Constantly being compared to one another, constantly assumed to be there for the pleasure of others solely. I’m just sad.

I keep seeing advice to arm yourself, but I really don’t think I can. It’s something I’ve considered for a while now… but I have a bad feeling my mental health couldn’t handle it.

I’ve struggled with self harm for years. I’m impulsive. I have three different suicide scenarios worked out in detail in my head, two of which involve a gun.

Anyone else struggling with the decision to arm themselves this way?

It is unbelievable watching women vote against their own interest. I work in Kentucky as a physician and I do 2 days a week in a more rural area. In my clinic on a typical day there are 10-12 staff that are all women. They ALL voted for trump. Every single one of them. The majority of which have young daughters. These women struggle financially, at best the top earner makes $22/hr (I dont set pay rates I work for a hospital system and am an employee too)

One girl came in this week with a shirt with Trump on it that said "Daddy's Home". My medical assistant said she voted for trump because "shes sick of eating ramen noodles" What. The. Fuck. These people vote against their best interest at every step. I am not confrontational but I just said you know that Trump in his first term passed a bill that raises your taxes every year until 2027? The response: "Kamala is a prostitute she just slept her way up" BITCH. Look at her fucking achievements and you call her a prostitute. These women literally hate other women. Period.

On Wednesday my mom called me in the morning after seeing the results and she was crying she said she was glad that I am 35 and she doesnt have any granddaughters.

These weren't sexist bigoted men that did this, it was the women who did and although I would do anything to protect their rights they will easily sign mine, yours, and their daughters away.

I told my medical assistant she should be embarrassed about voting for trump and if she wants to save any face with any person with an education she should not mention it. I am done coddling these people I am just going to say to their face I think you're an idiot and I have lost immense respect for you as a person.

I, like many, am feeling a great amount of despair regarding the increasingly fierce social shift towards the complete dehumanization of women. I am experiencing a visceral fear of death simply by having the ability to become pregnant in a state that has a history of withholding lifesaving medical care from dying pregnant women due to threatening, obfuscatory policies meant to instill fear in anyone seeking to obtain or provide abortion. As both a physician and woman, I have felt helpless and defeated. I received this email tonight and believe it must be shared. It is not an absolute solution, but provided me with a shred of hope in an immensely dark time that I hope may provide the same to some of you experiencing similar despair. Statement below:

Statement from TMB President Dr. Sherif Zaafran, M.D., FASA

"Earlier this year, the Board adopted new rules regarding Texas’ pro-life laws. These rules specifically address ectopic pregnancy at any location in the body and confirm that procedures to treat this condition are not abortions, as state laws already make clear. Additionally, the rules provide that when addressing a condition that is or may become emergent in nature, a physician is not required to wait to provide medical care until that mother’s life is in immediate danger or her major bodily function is at immediate risk. This clarification is consistent with the leading opinion of the Texas Supreme Court on this matter. Physicians must use reasonable medical judgement, consistent with the patient’s informed consent and with the oath each physician swears, to do what is medically necessary when responding to an active, imminent, or potential medical emergency that places a pregnant woman in danger of death or serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function. Unfortunately, that sometimes includes induced termination of pregnancy.

"The new rules provide guidance to physicians on documenting these circumstances so that if the Board receives a complaint, physicians can be properly equipped to describe the actions they took. I strongly urge physicians to thoroughly review applicable rules and statutes, so they have an accurate understanding of the requirements in these medical scenarios and, more importantly, take necessary action to save the lives or major bodily functions of pregnant women in Texas. As with all medical scenarios, complaints of physicians failing to meet the standard of care in treating patients can be submitted to the Board, and all complaints will be reviewed for investigation and action by the Board. The consequences can be especially serious if failing to meet the standard of care leads to the patient’s death or serious bodily harm. Texas physicians are known for their provision of world-class care for their patients, and we value the critical role they play in the lives of all Texans. According to Texas Health and Human Services reports on induced terminations of pregnancy from August 2022 to June 2024, there were 119 documented instances of care provided under these exceptions and, to date, no physician has had disciplinary action taken against them by the Texas Medical Board for their medical intervention in these cases."

On June 21, 2024, the Texas Medical Board adopted amendments to 22 TAC 165 by adding Subchapter B, new rule section 165.7-165.9.

My abuser from 6-8 years ago was arrested earlier this year for a variety of charges against a child. He recently pleaded guilty and his sentencing hearing is next week. I talked to a detective and a victims advocate when I found out earlier this year, and since my abuse took place in another state I was told there was little I could do. I asked them this week if I was able to write a letter to the court to tell them that he is not a one time offender. This was after I learned his plea deal was landing between 25-28 years. They gave me the information on how to do so and after a lot of crying and therapy I decided I needed to write that letter.

The judge received it today. I wrote it similar to a victim impact letter, about one page long. I included my name. Once I decided I needed to write the letter, including my name felt like a given. He would have known it was me anyways, I included a copy of the cease and desist letter my lawyer sent him to add legitimacy. And I'm just so fucking tired of hiding and being scared and ashamed. I thought I was being brave.

I did not expect them to include my full name on the online portal with the case information. The victim advocate said it would be read by the judge in private and submitted with the case files but nothing about my name being logged on a public site.

I freaked the fuck out when I read my name there and im still trying not to spiral. After trump fucking winning and not being given much time to decide if I even wanted to write this letter I'm so tired. I'm so scared that my name will be used in news articles when he learns his sentence.

I have no idea how people do this and report. I already know he is going to be in prison for at least two decades and I've been spiralling all week.

I (21F) have been friends with this girl (21F) ever since high school. After high school, we lost touch as we both went to separate out of state schools; however, we ended up both transferring back to our in-state university. We’ve rekindled and have become very close, but I have to admit there are some major red flags that I continue to pick up on. It’s a very long list, but, to spare all the details, I do need some clarity/outside perspective if this one thing I have noticed she’s started doing is weird or not:

Firstly, I am a virgin. I have never been in a relationship and have been single all of my life. I’m in no genuine rush to jump in to any relationship, or even more, lose my virginity. I will occasionally express that I would like a boyfriend, but I know that’s just a normal human feeling at times to feel a little lonely. Otherwise, I am perfectly content at continuously working on building my relationship with myself— I don’t even think I have the capacity to be in a relationship with some right now.

However, she has always pushed for me to just lose my virginity. It has almost become a game for her. She has tried setting me up with people, and I will politely decline. At the same time, though, she constantly makes sexual, weird jokes about us with other men (specifically her boyfriend), and will even poke fun at how “awkward” I am with talking to men (I just laugh and look at her or something). That’s whatever, for the most part. I have just let that roll off, especially when she urges me to lose my virginity.

The weirdest and most uncomfortable part for me is she has started to spread things I tell her about in private to other people. Specially, how I am a virgin. If the conversation steers towards sex/relationships, she will always bring it up no matter who I’m with.

She has started telling strangers (men!) this as well. One night, we met these guys and this one guy was making advances towards me, which I was not very into. When I left to go to the bathroom and returned, I overhear her telling these guys about how I was a virgin. I was honestly a little disgusted, as I would never want strangers, let alone any random man, to be given this information. I talked to her the next day and let her know that I did not appreciate that, and she apologized. It had stopped for a little bit, at least to my knowledge.

Then, I talk to her today and she tells me how one of her boyfriend’s coworkers were talking about how he was into me (we’ve met once out). She tells me that her boyfriend told him that I was a virgin to “deter” him away since they both knew I was not into him. I was actually baffled— she told her boyfriend that in private to tell someone else? It’s really got me questioning what information she isn’t spreading behind my back.

Is this weird? I’ve always been an extremely private person, and I sometimes feel like giving the details of my day is too personal. I’m not sure if it’s just me or what…

This is going to sound so odd but I literally cannot attribute this to anything else. I’ve taken name brand birth control (Taytulla) for almost 8 years, never switching. This month my insurance randomly decided to stop covering it and I got the generic equivalent. I’ve taken the generic for 4 weeks and the last 2 weeks I’ve been feeling and acting SO odd. I’ve been arguing with everyone, drinking more, crying every night, feeling so out of sorts. I kept trying to figure out what on EARTH is going on bc there’s been no life changes and this is SO unlike me, but then I remembered….could this pill switch have had this effect?!

I thought about fighting back but honestly I’m freaking tired and as a Black Woman this nation has done nothing for me except enslave my ancestors and made it hard to live without fear of being shot, killed, raped, and hated based on my SEX AND RACE. When The Rapist-In-Chief was first elected in 2016 I moved to Hawaii and it was as if The Rapist didn’t even exist it was so isolated and wonderful. This time I don’t think any state will be safe. It wasn’t as bad in 2016 because well Roe vs Wade but now, nah. So fuck Amerikkka for good. I’m black and I’m fucking tired. I’m not fighting for a country that hates my color and my sex. I didn’t choose to be here but I can choose a new destiny. I wish I knew Hawaii was safe as I would move back down there where being ethnic and a woman was celebrated but this go around - nope. I’ll find somewhere else because the US sucks. It’s one of the most violent countries in the world and we have Stockholm syndrome. Black women cannot trust black men, white women, or other ethnic people. So fuck em.

This is my first time posting here , so sorry for any error.

I was recently diagnosed with a UTI after experiencing high fever, body aches, and a constant urge to urinate for the past few days. Previously, I had been treating recurring fevers with paracetamol, thinking it was just a viral infection due to my weak immunity. This time, my mom took me to the doctor, who confirmed the UTI through tests and prescribed a 5-day course of antibiotics. While I don’t have a burning sensation while urinating (which is normal for me), I’ve been experiencing frequent white discharge, along with continuous fever and chills. The doctor advised me to follow up if my symptoms don't improve.

Please suggest me what precautions should I take to prevent it in future. And what should I eat during uti .

I've spent time living in the USA and have family in the USA (mom's aunts and uncles and cousins) and have been horrified the past few days. Mom's aunt texts about Trump defending women's morals which makes me want to cut her out of my life.

Anyhow, today in New Zealand, two men in a cafe no older than 40 and from two different cultural backgrounds, loudly commented on how gender equality should not exist and how women need to work harder to please men. This was loudly to the mostly women in the cafe and infront of three little girls.

Also saw a car at the gas station covered in Trump stickers and stickers showing cartoon women being bent over and used at a gas station and saying to send nudes.

Horrified at the state of the world, Iran wants to lower the age of marriage for girls to nine years old.

I love investing but now feel bad about supporting Besos and Tim Cook ect and realise how few companies large enough for the stock exchange are owned by women. Apparently Hersheys is one and somehow didn't realise how far behind we are to equality. I want to support more female owned companies and in the past have supported some with angel investing, which are doing well.

Even here in NZ sexism is rampant at my gym the female only room is always packed when the main room is almost empty. My own father says creepy things like how the tyre station men would've enjoyed looking at me an attractive young female and this is seen as normal.

I want to help other women and there's a lot of waking up to do ect and just realizing how scary social media is though young I only use this and YouTube and how many young men see women as products due to social media. Maybe a reason gen z men voted for Trump.

Even males I knew friends around the world from traveling think they are good men and Christian but then share in their WhatsApp photos of women like OnlyFans and when I questioned them I'm told it's not an issue it's a guy thing and if I have an issue with it, I don't respect women's choices but so much of social media is not empowering to women but to the male gaze. Women should wear whatever they want but being raised to center men I'm sick of it.

I’m gonna start off by saying that I’m getting help, and that I am utilizing my state’s resources to protect myself.

As for the post:

I have been seeing a man for about six months. I ended up pregnant. Before we knew, we both talked about wanting to terminate. Well once we found out I changed my mind and so did he. That was at around 7 weeks. I was over the moon. I got to see my baby on the screen with a fetal pole, to seeing my baby at 11 weeks with its big ass head, to seeing it at 16 weeks 6 days with a huge noggin, long ass legs and tiny toes that were kicking around. But around 11 weeks, he told me that either I can abort the baby and be with him, or keep the baby and he’ll kick me out. So I did a LOT of soul searching and crying and honestly, I spent a good amount of my time trying to figure out how I could keep my baby and get away from him. I’m not somebody who has a lot of resources and my family and I don’t have a good relationship, so it was really just him and I. Well…Today, I’m 17 weeks. I had my operation today and I have zero regrets because I knew this man was abusive and his parents enable him. However, after my procedure, I texted him once I was recovered from anesthesia and he not only dumped me, but kicked me and my dog out. His reason? I don’t make him happy.

Was he present for my procedure? Nope. He didn’t want to talk to me last night when I had to go into the ER because of complications from the laminaria. What’s funny is that i told him that I need him to just be compassionate, because even if he doesn’t want the baby, this is as much his as it is mine. I was told that I “emotionally manipulated him into this pregnancy”.

I’m really at a loss for words. Some men can be so cruel and manipulative. He knew that when I was with my ex husband, said ex said I m**dered our baby because I had a miscarriage and resented me for it. And now being dumped and made homeless as I’m bleeding in the floor.

I really want kind words. I want hugs. I want somebody to tell me that I’ll be okay. I need somebody to tell me that I deserve better. I feel so alone in this world and all i want is to be able to be there for myself and know that there are other women who hold space for people like me in their heart.

I am determined to get through this, but for now, it seems like the only way through this is to heal. Help a girl out, please: what are ways you held space for yourself when all you needed was you to be there for YOU?

I’d like to consciously change all of my beauty and personal care spending to black women owned companies or women owned companies or lgbtq owned companies. I’d love to be able to add household products to that as well. Currently I’m looking for a makeup remover balm. But I’d love feedback if you know smaller owned companies owned by any of these groups. I have also switched my purchasing to non megacorp so I know I can do this as well. Let’s lift each other up!

I see a lot of men treating the "4b movement" like some kind of gotcha moment and saying "This is what we wanted all along" IS SUCH A HUGE LIE!!! Because most men are NOT celibate, are not waiting until marriage, they still want to hookup, they still want to have flings, they still want to have sex.

Most conservative men DON'T wait until marriage. They sleep around but tell women not to.

So is it really a gotcha moment? Because lets be real, if enough women cut off men from their lives and follow through with celibacy, there WILL be more reports of abuse and rape. So at the end of the day... The issue is men.

And the whole saying, "It took Trump banning aborting for women to stop acting like whores." IS SO RICH BECAUSE IT TAKES 2 COUNT THEM 2!!!! TO TANGOOOOOOO, why is men always left out from the sex conversation. IT TAKES two, dos! to tango. Women are alwaya the WHORES the SLUTS the bad ones 😭

Anyway, I'm a firm believer of women leaving men alone, I truly never understood: situtationships, hookup culture, flings, honestly anything involving men. NO SHADE 👀

Once you get friends, a hobby, basically a life. You will soon realize men are not that important or shouldn't be the center of ur life (Especially if your young.) You will honestly get the ick.

Ok thats all I had to say. Peace out.

(But hey listen, if you TRULLLYYYY FOUND A MAN that really gets u LIKE SERIOUSLY GETS YOU and isn't against women. Then keep him. I LOVE, LOVE! I just don't like when women do things and be things for a man who just really ain't it.)

Hi all, just wanted to take a moment to celebrate small wins where we can like the first female Chief of Staff in the White House, Susie Wiles!!

We must start protecting and encrypting our digital data and communications.

This is not an ad. I'll only recommend what I'm using if you ask me. I encourage you to do your own research of any digital product you use, especially moving forward in this world of uncertainty. Consider moving away from utilizing tools created by, or supported by tech companies/billionaires that are unsure which side of history they will end up on.

This is more than American politics. This is about being safe from being publicly identified and targeted, while leaving behind unsecured digital receipts/records. You have to be able to trust and feel good about who protects/handles/stores/tracks/sells your digital data/history.

Note: This is my post, so it has my ideas, born from my perception, based on how much I thought my mom loved me on a random day in the 1990's. Don't be difficult. Trolls will be laughed at, scolded, laughed at and then blocked. If I do choose to engage, please know, its purely for my entertainment and for the lolz. Now we've got that out of the way...

1. Personal Electronics

Lock down your technology. No matter how innocent you believe your internet usage. Someone can always find something to twist/pervert when they really want to.

Use biometrics and 2FA (2 Factor Authenticators) to make it more difficult for bad actors, or those who's job it may be in the future, to access, track or make changes to your personal electronics - remotely or by having access to the physical device.

2. VPN's

Start using VPN's at all times moving forward whenever you are accessing any digital content on any device, that you have a profile on. Immediately stop accessing digital health records, bank accounts, activist sites, socials until you get a VPN installed on all devices and ensure you are connected to it at all times. Don't take any unnecessary chances that makes it any easier to identify, find or track you.

3. Read Terms of Service and all of the fine print

We all all reliant on digital products and tech companies/lawyers know this. They know it's unlikely that all users will read the fine print. If enough users miss something in the fine print, or are apathetic to it even though it sounds bad, time passes. When time passes, precedents get set. If you use a digital product for 10 years, you get an updated Terms of Service every year, or when it changes. DO NOT SKIP REVIEWING THIS INCREDIBLY LONG, BORING WALL OF TEXT.
If it's too much or too overwhelming, like the majority are intentionally created to be, paste it right into an AI assistant (probably not one that was trained by the company you're reviewing...) and ask it if any of the TOM's limit, restrict or waive any of your rights. Maybe put it through second AI assistant to compare answers. See if the TOM has an Opt Out option for any Term/Condition that may limit protections.

4. Encrypt all digital communications on all devices. Find an email server that encrypts your emails and other ways you communicate. Tie new socials to this account. Do not built socials/profiles that you're not willing to burn at a moments notice. Create an email address that implies its a family account and use that as your "main"

5. Take steps to ensure you are not banned/removed/censored from socials or other online communities, based on current/previous profile information. Keep online support networks running, be creative and come up with alternative ways to keep communication/information/support networks alive and thriving, so that we may pivot at a moments' notice. We cannot rely on believing that sites will remain active/safe in the future.

What other steps can we take to mitigate any challenges we may face? What other challenges do you fear? Let's come up with solutions together. Let's share our collective wisdom with one another. Let's offer comfort to one another and start building communities locally and online that you can feel safe in. <3

Considering the politcal climate in the United States right now I am mourning the loss of community.

Over the past 4 years, I've had to cut off multiple friends for homohobia, being SA apologists, and just overall being shitty people. I also decebtered men, which means I do not associate with men unless I'm at work. A significant part of my family are T supporters and that has left me without community. I also attend grad school in a VERY red state.

I fear that puts me in an precarious situation. I'm doing all I can to save money, protect myself, etc. But when shit hits the fan, who do I call? For those that are on your own, how have you found community?

For those interested in the 4B movement, isn't the easiest way to repell men is basically cut your hair, colour it in a fancy colour you like and stop shaving beneath your eyebrows? Having a natural bodyhair and unnatural hair colour seems to be the biggest ick amongst men

I am coming to this sub as a gay trans man for my straight trans brothers. Our bodies are also threatened under “conservative values, so we also wish to keep ourselves safe. Some of my brothers are cautious around women because we know, and have also been victimized, by men. There is also a fear that women would not accept us as “real men” so my brothers “wait for the other” to approach.

With 4B gaining popularity, would more women become “open minded” about dating trans guys? The main argument I’ve heard from some of my friends is that they have “preferences” for sex. The argument never made much sense to me, because any trans guy could meet any “preference” with a go-go-gadget utility belt, or even match preferences cis guys can’t. Like, I haven’t met a cis guy whose natural equipment could vibrate. Have you ever dated a trans guy, or had you decided you would never? For the latter, why? And has the election changed that for you?

Hi y'all, wanted to share that for those who feel hopeless, angry, lost, confused, etc. and are looking for something to do, information on next steps, or just want to be in solidarity/community with other folks, the Womens March is hosting an organizing call for next steps and action tonight at 8pm Eastern/ 5pm Pacific.

Register here: https://act.womensmarch.com/signup/massactioncall11082024/?t=4&referring_akid=21837.512469.OBaEZi

Also it looks like there will be a march in DC on Saturday and one in NYC as well. There might also be solidarity marches happening in other cities/states near you if that is something you're interested in. There will also be a "Peoples March on Washington" hosted by the Women's March, Abortion Access Now, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU scheduled for saturday before the inaguration in January (Jan. 18).

I’m in my late 40s and have been active in grassroots politics since my early 20s—my primary work in my early 20s involved reproductive rights and the struggle to prevent the backsliding that was taking place all over the country in the late 90s/early 2000s. But I was also big into environmental activism too.

Almost every presidential election cycle, I’ve been active in some manner. I drove a voter van to take voters to the polls in ‘08 and ‘12, I did phone banking in every election from ‘16 onwards, and so on.

The first election that broke my heart was Bush V Gore, and tbh Trump V Clinton wasn’t worse than that—it felt about the same to me, in terms of the magnitude of the loss, the unfairness, and so on.

For me, ‘24 is about the same as those other massive heartbreaks in some ways, but also worse in some ways too, I guess because the GOP controls both houses, the SC, and the executive, and there aren’t many sane Rs left—not that there were a lot to begin with.

I have found myself uncharacteristically unable to engage with post-election news. I can’t look at it and whenever I start to get curious about things like turnout and so on, something in my mind recoils from learning more. Looking back, my life feels like a long hard slog against the most intransigent ignorance and willful stupidity, like wading uphill through sludge, sliding back down much more than I ever get higher up.

I’ve started to feel like I am just going to insulate myself from all of it from now on. I’ll do what I can to help the people in my community but I just cannot face the thought of what’s coming, maybe because I’ve lived through it so often before that I can’t have any illusions about it maybe not being so bad.

In some ways this is just a privileged position to be in because I’m a white woman and I’m not poor. I’m an American citizen. And I’ll be in menopause soon. But I can’t fool myself into believing that it won’t affect me. Everything is about to get worse, and it’ll eventually affect everyone, just as it always has and always does. I just don’t feel as if I have the psychological strength to face it boldly and energetically reject it all.

I want to hide away and like, pretend life is okay and that the future is normal. I want to cherish my friends and family, and enjoy nature, and try to nurture my own health. I feel pretty bad about myself for all of this, but feeling bad doesn’t seem to motivate me to leap back into the thick of struggle.

Does anyone else feel this way?

Is there anyone who feels the opposite—who feels full of vim and vigor, ready to fight? I’d like to hear from everyone.

I’m not interested in being told I’m a bad person for just being out of steam. But I’d like to hear from anyone if they ever felt like I do now, who then later recovered their fighting spirit.

We need to stop blaming men. We need to stop blaming women. Everyone, nearly every demographic supported Trump and ignored who he is and what he stands for.

You know who didn't?

Kamala Harris supporters.

Anyone who fits in THAT category deserves our love. This is such an important fight, we need every last person who rejected Trump's hate, no matter what demographic they fall into.

Kamala Harris voters are the people who care. These are the people who are on the right side of history and fighting for what is right. Embrace them.

Whenever I go into Asian centred subs or even just Asian centred pages on social media, it’s so apparent automatically how much the men hate on us. For example a couple months ago there was a post about an Asian woman being stalked and killed by a white man, and most of the Asian men on that sub were laughing or saying something along the lines of: ‘she deserves it for being a white worshipper etc’ Whenever there’s a post on about an Asian woman being murdered or raped the top comments are all fucking disgusting saying how Asian women are all self hating racist who love white d*ck. these men all seem to be trump supporter/alt right conservatives despite the fact trump is openly racist about asian people and incited literally hate crimes against Asians during the covid. Yet they still brown nose these republicans They justify this by saying how Asian women talk shit about Asian men and laugh at them/ emasculate them when it’s literally a VERY SMALL percentage who have this sort of internalised racism and a lot of the time it’s a result of seeing how much misogyny is in their own family and communities which have treated Asian women as disposable/worthless for centuries. I’m not saying it’s right, but a lot of those Asian women have been traumatised/ abused themselves and I don’t agree with them projecting it onto all Asian men but it’s there to basically keep themselves/make themselves feel safer. Instead of trying to look into WHY so many Asian women are scared to:avoid dating their own race they immediately jump to they must be white worshipping whores who have no respect for themselves?? It’s not even just Asian men, I have black friends who say they get so much judgement and abuse for dating outside their race and they’re called aunty toms or something like that?? I’m getting so sick that I can’t even feel welcome in an Asian online community I wish there were more communities for women of colour

Hey guys. I’m an 18F and my parents have always pushed me pretty hard on my appearance. I don’t think I’m a slob or anything, but I don’t really put extra effort into myself beyond the basics of daily showers, monthly haircuts, and trimming my nails whenever they get too long. I also wear really baggy clothes too (that sometimes aren’t even from the women’s aisle! Gasp!!), which I know irks them both a lot. My mom just gossips about this with her friends, but my dad is a lot more explicit with his dissatisfaction and comments on it frequently.

Anyways, a month or so ago my dad offered up a spa trip for me and my older sister. I don’t really see my older sister all that much since she’s married with a kid, and my dad was gonna pay for it. He told me I was gonna get a massage, facial, the works, and I agreed. The day comes and my sister picks me up, and about five minutes in she starts a speech and I immediately know what’s about to happen.

She says a bunch of stuff like “You’re a woman, it’s time you take care of yourself”, “We as girls have to put more effort into our appearance”, and “You’re gonna date soon, you need to look presentable for it all”. I ask her what exactly we’re doing at this salon? She says I’m there to get a manicure, pedicure, haircut, and full body waxing. And then, the kicker —- she’s just there to get a haircut. I obviously feel really betrayed, because it becomes super clear in that moment that it really was just a set up to push me into getting more girly. I think they sent me there thinking I’d fall in love and wanna go every month, but it was honestly super unpleasant. Nails feel really uncomfortable for me, the waxing lady was super weird and kept saying my hair was disgusting and asking me if I had a boyfriend. She even commented on my eczema scars, and asked if I wanted to get a bikini wax (I said no)! I was truly like wtf. Then for the haircut I wanted to get it cropped above my ears, but my sister absolutely refused and (since she was paying) I got a slight trim. It was just terrible all around, and being poked and prodded like that made me feel like an animal. Well, both of them are shocked that I’m refusing to go back for my monthly salon visit.

I honestly just feel like Sisyphus just pushing a boulder up a hill when it comes to convincing people to just leave me alone about how I look. But, the worst part is that it’s getting to me. I never used to notice myself all that much, but now I look at my chipped nails or unstyled hair and wonder if I’ll ever be found attractive. I just don’t know how to properly assert myself against my family and also not let their ideas of conventional femininity get into my head and ruin my self confidence. I just get so frustrated when family friends or other grownups tell me that I don’t look good with short hair, or that I need to wear better fitting clothing, and I’m just really tired of it.

So sorry for the long post, I just wanted to vent a little. If any of you have had similar experiences I’d be curious to know

I'm seeing tons of stuff about "women's rights" since the election, as there should be. The right is attacking women. But women aren't the only people who will be affected by an abortion ban or other laws targeting female-bodied people.

Non-binary people who were assigned female at birth will also be affected.

Trans men who are non-op or pre-op will be affected.

The right is going to always see anyone assigned female at birth as women anyway. They'll treat trans people who were assigned female at birth the same as cis women, except with the added bonus of attacking us as both "women" and as trans people.

I'm non-binary and trans masculine. I am not a woman, nor do I look like one with my clothes on, but I have female reproductive parts. I can get pregnant. In lots of places in the US, I would be denied an abortion despite the dysphoric nightmare that it would be for me.

I guarantee you, afab non-binary people and trans men are on your side, fighting with you. We've lived as girls/women. We know your struggle because it's ours too.

Please don't forget about us.

I saw that this book is being recommended in a different subreddit, and found out there's a graphic novel version.

I’m afraid that men may become extremely dangerous toward women when project 2025 bans 🌽. When women stop participating in hookup culture and our standards collectively rise because sex has become extremely risky, the incels who have no porn to watch will start lashing out.

Banning abortion + banning Plan B + no 🌽 + a terrible economy (lots of unemployment) = HELL ON EARTH FOR WOMEN

1. Get on long term BC NOW
2. Get a 🔫, your conceal carry license m, and learn to shoot.

I know we're all stressed, but I'm hoping I can get others opinions before healthcare becomes a problem. I've been to 5 doctors about it, but they won't do anything. I have a ~4.5 fibroid attached to the outside of my uterus. It has a stem and is attached to an artery. No doctor is worried about it, but if I sit for too long- that side of my hip gives out till I walk it out. It's painful to lay on the same side sometimes. The pain is now radiating up to my lower back. I've gotten MRI imagining and X-rays, but no one can tell me why I'm in so much pain and that's the only thing there. Did anyone else have this problem? I left the doctor's office in tears because she didn't even ask about symptoms - just based it off of what she saw on the old MRI and ultrasound saying that the pain didn't make any type of treatment worth it since it wasn't measuring at an 8 and shouldn't affect fertility (which with everything going on, lol).

I live in a European country where the popular centrist party has ingrained itself to a more right leaning party. The city I live in had a string of Murders and SA on women. The most influential country in the western world hates women so much that they'll elect a PDF file grapist Diddy and Epstien co-hert. I'm playing FPS on public servers and having fucking kids who's voice haven't broken saying that I deserve to be raped. The waves of grief are are strong and relentless and while my resolve to stand up for what I believe in, is as emboldened as ever. I am sore and exhausted and beaten down. But I must fight on!