The experience of all sexual violence survivors is not created equal—why are Black women’s experiences not taken seriously? From #MuteRKelly to Tory Lanez, we’ve seen Black women used as scapegoats and blamed for the harm caused to them. We talk with Tarana Burke and Jamilah LeMieux about Drake vs. Kendrick, protecting Black women, and what it means to keep us safe.

For more information and ways to support survivors, visit the metoo. Movement website

Resources:

1. You can stream Surviving R. Kelly on Netflix
2. The book Lark mentioned is Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly
3. The book Jessica mentioned is Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
4. Here is the metoo. Movement and Black Voters Matter Survivor Justice Voter Guide
5. More on Tarana Burke
6. More on Jamilah LeMieux

We think it’s obvious that trans women are women, but our Twitter mentions say otherwise. In an election year full of dog-whistling, we have grown disgusted by the dehumanization of trans people from all sides of the political spectrum. Trans people deserve to live their lives, play sports, and be themselves. On this episode, we talked with Anya Marino and Gillian Branstetter about why TERFs are not feminists, how transphobes have become emboldened to spread their hatred in our politics and schools, and why it is more important than ever to protect trans adults and trans children.

Resources:

• NWLC Blog - Once and For All: This Is Why We Support Trans Women and Girls in Sports
• Read about SCOTUS granting cert to one of the ACLU’s challenges against an anti-trans health care ban in Tennessee with arguments coming this fall. U.S. Supreme Court Will Hear Challenge from United States, Families, and Doctors Against Transgender Health Care Ban | American Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org)
• ACLU Protect Trans Care action Protect Trans Care Now | American Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org)

On the season two premiere of Hearsay, we’re joined by two incredible advocates: Billie Jean King and Fatima Gross Graves. We discuss the groundbreaking Battle of the Sexes, equal pay, Title IX, and how tennis and women’s sports are at the center of how society views—and values—women athletes. And don’t worry, Lark, Hilary, and Jessica all saw Challengers to prepare for this episode.

Learn more about the Women’s Sports Foundation: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/

Learn more about Title IX: https://nwlc.org/issue/education-title-ix/

Romance as a genre has been historically dismissed as unserious, very likely because women make up its core audience. But it’s always been popular and lucrative. Romance has also been at the forefront of inclusive fiction and driving social change. With our guests, Tia Williams, an acclaimed author, and Kelsey Grimes, a reproductive rights lawyer at NWLC, we unpack the genre and how it’s inextricably linked to conversations about contraception, abortion, and freedom.

We’ve got romance recommendations for you!

Tia’s rec: This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
Kelsey’s rec: Any book by Courtney Milan
Hilary’s rec: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and for historical, A League of Extraordinary Women series by Evie Dunmore
Jessica’s rec: Act Your Age, Even Brown by Talia Hibbert

Why is child care so expensive and impossible to find? And why are child care providers paid so little? And how come when TV shows depict child care, if they do at all, it’s completely unrealistic—full of super nannies and hapless dads? Child care is the backbone of our entire country and is traditionally women’s work—which is why it’s frustrating, but maybe not surprising, that it’s so often invisible. In this episode, we talk to NWLC experts Jasmine Tucker and Julie Vogtman about who to blame for our child care crisis, how to help child care workers and parents alike, and the child care myths that are hurting all of us, whether you have kids or not.

We have so many resources for you!

Julie’s Undervalued report:
https://nwlc.org/resource/undervalued-a-brief-history-of-womens-care-work-and-child-care-policy-in-the-united-states/

Jasmine and Julie’s report on what happened to women after COVID-19:
https://nwlc.org/resource/resilient-but-not-recovered-after-two-years-of-the-covid-19-crisis-women-are-still-struggling/

Child care provider Merline A. Gallegos explains what would help her:
https://nwlc.org/on-child-care-worker-appreciation-day-what-we-really-need-is-action/

An interactive map that shows how each state would benefit if Congress stabilized the child care system with $16 billion:
https://nwlc.org/resource/cc-map/

Data that shows child care workers are being left behind in terms of their pay: https://nwlc.org/press-release/nwlc-releases-data-revealing-child-care-workers-wage-growth-lags-behind-other-low-paid-occupations/

Cheerleaders are a big part of our culture, from halftime performances at school football games to the longevity of Bring It On. They’re incredible performers and such an integral part of the gameday experience, and yet society often treats them like mere objects. We’ve seen so much progress in the ways jobs traditionally held by women are respected, but why are we still discounting cheerleaders, even the ones who work in the NFL? We talk with Melanie, a former NFL cheerleader, and Lizzy, a sexual harassment lawyer who helped take down Dan Snyder, the former owner of the Washington football team.

For more information on the case involving the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund and Dan Snyder: https://nwlc.org/how-survivors-prevailed-against-dan-snyder-and-the-washington-commanders/

The Oversight Committee Report Melanie mentioned can be found here: https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/news/press-releases/oversight-committee-releases-final-report-on-investigation-into-the-nfl-s

If you have experienced sex harassment or other sex discrimination at work, the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund may be able to help. For more information visit: https://nwlc.org/times-up-legal-defense-fund/legal-help-for-sex-discrimination-and-harassment/

Living Single, a sitcom featuring six Black roommates in New York was a hit when it debuted on Fox in 1993. But in 1994, NBC created an eerily similar show with a white cast called Friends. They aired in direct competition, and the rest is history. We explore Living Single’s legacy and the repercussions of co-opting and devaluing the work of Black women.

Living Single vs. Friends: Erika Alexander Speaks Out: https://zora.medium.com/why-the-friends-vs-living-single-twitter-beef-really-matters-ce54d9559457

Erika Alexander says the 'Living Single' and 'Friends' needs 'a larger conversation': https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/erika-alexander-says-living-single-friends-needs-larger-conversation-rcna83757

#FreeBritney! Britney Spears has been a lightning rod since the moment she appeared on MTV. We discuss the ways in which she’s been a model of how it’s impossible to be a woman in the public eye, at every age, and how her conservatorship shed a light on the way the legal system can be weaponized, especially against people with disabilities. And then, NWLC lawyer and disability justice advocate Ma'ayan Anafi joins us to make the connection between Britney Spears and the larger fight against forced sterilization and conservatorships.

Ma’ayan’s report, Forced Sterilization of Disabled People in the United States can be found here: https://nwlc.org/resource/forced-sterilization-of-disabled-people-in-the-united-states/