Sexuality & Gender

Sexuality and gender are a major focus of NCRW member center research, policy and advocacy efforts. Increasing support for LGBT rights, both nationally and internationally, is an outgrowth of such research and public awareness campaigns. Our network recognizes the complexity of human sexuality and how gender roles can be stereotyped and narrowly defined by society. There are important sexuality and gender dimensions to policymaking and legal rights, including those related to marriage, the custodial rights of unmarried single parents and same-sex couples, and anti-discrimination employment and housing laws. Our member centers are examining gender identity and the ever-evolving perceptions of masculinity and femininity in popular culture and politics.

Female Circumcision: Police Investigating Claims UK Doctors Advised On Illegal Practice

Teaser:

A report by the Sunday Times says that as many as 100,000 woman in the UK may have been victims of female genital mutilation.

Editorial:

From the Huffington Post UK:

Claims that UK doctors were secretly filmed offering to perform and facilitate female circumcision are being investigated by police.

A report by the Sunday Times said that as many as 100,000 woman in Britain may have been victims of the practice, which is illegal.

Female circumcision is performed on young women around the world, but particularly in Africa, on cultural and religious grounds.

The News International newspaper claims to have recorded a dentist in Birmingham, Omar Sheikh Mohamed Addow, describing how the operation could be performed, including details on how the clitoris could be pierced and clamped.

[...]

Source:

Huffington Post UK

URL:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/04/23/female-circumcision-police-investigation-uk-doctors_n_1444958.html

Date:

April 24, 2012

Affiliate:

Associated Issues & Expertise:

NYC PANEL DISCUSSES PITFALLS, POTENTIAL FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS LEGISLATION

Submitted by LCrain on Thu, 04/12/2012 - 4:48pm

By: Lauren Crain

Last night at Lenox Hill Hospital’s Einhorn Auditorium, New York State Assembly Member Dan Quart held a forum on Women’s Reproductive Rights. Fellow panelists included Caitlin Borgmann, CUNY Law School; Melissa Goodman, New York Civil Liberties Union; and Dr. Mary Beth Morrissey, Westchester Women's Bar Association.

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Sex talk still stigmatized in doc's office, study finds

Teaser:

Gynecologists and other doctors are not talking enough with their female patients about sexual problems and sexuality in general, leaving many women to suffer in silence, a new study concludes.

Editorial:

From MSNBC:

Based on a survey of obstetrician-gynecologists across the United States, the researchers found that less than half of them routinely ask their female patients about sexual problems. At the same time, the researchers noted from past studies that about a third of young and middle-age women have some sort of issue related to sexual intercourse, such as pain, low desire or lack of pleasure.

Such sexual dysfunction not only can lead to worry, shame, guilt and feelings of isolation for a woman, but can put a real strain on relationships, the researchers said.

"Patients are often reluctant to bring up sexual difficulties because of fear the physician will be embarrassed or will dismiss their concerns," lead study author Dr. Stacy Tessler Lindau said in a statement. "Doctors should be taking the lead."

[...]

Source:

MSNBC

URL:

http://todayhealth.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/22/10817181-sex-talk-still-stigmatized-in-docs-office-study-finds

Date:

March 23, 2012

Affiliate:

Associated Issues & Expertise:

Expert Profile

Location:

United States

32° 13' 59.8224" N, 110° 56' 55.6836" W

See map: Google Maps

Member Organizations:

Southwest Institute for Research on Women

Sally Stevens is the Executive Director of the University of Arizona - Southwest Institute for Research on Women (SIROW) and a Distinguished Outreach Professor in the Department of Gender and Women's Studies. Dr. Stevens conducts collaborative process and outcome studies in the area of health disparities, substance abuse and mental health, HIV and other infectious diseases, and innovations in education. Much of her work is community-based with a focus on gender and culture. Dr. Stevens has published numerous articles and edited several collected volumes on these topics. Her most recent article is titled Meeting the Substance Abuse Treatment Needs of Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Women: Implications from Research to Practice. Dr. Stevens conducts workshops and trainings on substance abuse and mental health treatment approaches, diversity and equity, community-based participatory action research, and program evaluation.

Location

Tucson, AZ 85721

United States

32° 13' 59.8224" N, 110° 56' 55.6836" W

See map: Google Maps

Associated Issues & Expertise:

In Protest, Democrats Zero In On Men's Reproductive Health

Teaser:

For perhaps the first time in recent history, male reproductive health is at the forefront of political debate.

Editorial:

From NPR:

In at least six states, lawmakers — all women and all Democrats — have proposed bills or amendments in the last few weeks that aim to regulate a man's access to reproductive health care. It's their way of responding to the ongoing debate around contraception and abortion, said Jennifer Lawless, director of the Women & Politics Institute at American University.

Some would prohibit men from getting vasectomies, such as Georgia's House Bill 1116, which states:

"Thousands of children are deprived of birth in this state every year because of the lack of state regulation over vasectomies."

Others, like an amendment proposed by Oklahoma State Sen. Constance Johnson, restrict where a man can ejaculate, effectively outlawing all manner of sexual acts. The amendment says:

"Any action in which a man ejaculates or otherwise deposits semen anywhere but in a woman's vagina shall be interpreted and construed as an action against an unborn child."

And Ohio State Sen. Nina Turner recently put forward legislation that would require men seeking drugs like Viagra to first get a cardiac stress test to ensure their heart is ready for sexual activity. Oh, and they would also have to obtain certification from one of their recent sexual partners that they are indeed experiencing problems with erectile dysfunction. And they would be required to see a sex therapist before getting a prescription.

The bill states:

"The physician shall ensure that the sessions include information on nonpharmaceutical treatments for erectile dysfunction, including sexual counseling and resources for patients to pursue celibacy as a viable lifestyle choice."

[...]

Source:

NPR

URL:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/03/15/148695307/in-protest-democrats-zero-in-on-mens-reproductive-health

Date:

March 18, 2012

Affiliate:

HIV Rates for U.S. Urban Black Women Five Times Higher than Previously Estimated

Teaser:

AIDS experts at Johns Hopkins say they are surprised and dismayed by results of their latest multicenter study showing that the yearly number of new cases of HIV infection among black women in Baltimore and other cities is five times higher than previously thought. The data show that infection rates for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, among this population are much higher than the overall incidence rates in the United States for African-American adolescents and African-American women.

Editorial:

From the news release:

The data come from an ongoing, larger series of studies supported by the HIV Prevention Trials Network, and reflect testing and analysis of at-risk women in six urban areas in the northeastern and southeastern United States hardest hit by the global AIDS epidemic. The so-called “hotspots” are Baltimore; Atlanta; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Washington, D.C.; Newark, N.J.; and New York City. Researchers plan to present their findings March 8 at the 19th annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Seattle.

Specifically, the team found that among 2,099 women ages 18 to 44, 88 percent of whom were black, 1.5 percent (32 women) tested positive at the outset of the study, even though they all thought they were negative. Among those who initially tested negative for HIV, the rate of new infections was 0.24 percent within a year after joining the study. Some 215 study participants came from Baltimore.

Experts say this rate of infection, or seroconversion, is five times previous estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overall for African-American women.

[...]

Source:

Johns Hopkins Medicine News and Publications

URL:

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/hiv_rates_for_us_urban_black_women_five_times_higher_than_previously_estimated

Date:

March 10, 2012

Affiliate:

Associated Issues & Expertise:

Women react to Rush's apology: Not accepted?

Teaser:

The outcry over Rush Limbaugh calling birth control activist Sandra Fluke a “slut” and a “prostitute,” seems to have worked. Several days after his attempt to slut-shame the Georgetown University law student, Limbaugh issued a rare apology on his website, saying "in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize."

Editorial:

From MSNBC:

The outcry over Rush Limbaugh calling birth control activist Sandra Fluke a “slut”and a “prostitute,” seems to have worked. Several days after his attempt to slut-shame the Georgetown University law student, Limbaugh issued a rare apology on his website, saying "in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize."

The conservative radio host also claimed he wasn't against birth control, according to a transcript of his show.

But the apology may be too little, too late for scores of women who felt personally stung by the attack.

[...]

Source:

MSNBC

URL:

http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/02/10564407-women-react-to-rushs-apology-not-accepted

Date:

March 5, 2012

Affiliate:

NCRW Announces 2012 Lifetime Achievement and Diversity Awards

Attachment:

mc awards 2012 alert.pdf

Post Date:

02/27/2012

Associated Issues & Expertise:

Harlequin's 2012 Romance Report Findings Indicate Romance + Technology = #ITSCOMPLICATED

Teaser:

Famed publisher's annual survey reveals surprising findings about everything from sexting to flirting on Facebook

Editorial:

From the press release:

Harlequin, one of the world's leading publishers of reading entertainment for women, today announced its annual Romance Report findings[1]. This year Harlequin took a closer look at the state of romance, confirming that in the age of 4G LTE smartphones, Twitter and Facebook, technology is changing the way women and men communicate with one another – yet certain values seem to withstand the test of time. In fact, the survey revealed that 91% of modern-day women surveyed believe dating rules have become more flexible, but 59% of these women still expect a man to ask her out.

"Today, women consider themselves more independent and powerful than ever before – yet we've found that many of the traditional beliefs about romance, dating and relationships still persist," said Michelle Renaud, Senior Manager, Public Relations, Harlequin. "Additionally, we are seeing new challenges as women are managing their image on a digital level. There is a real need to curate an online persona as much as a real-life presence in an extremely connected society."

Modesty is no longer a virtue in contemporary society – in the news or in real life. Though public scandals involving pop stars and government officials have put a spotlight on the risks of sharing intimate details online, technology continues to play a significant role in women's romantic relationships. According to the Harlequin survey results, which polled single women in the U.S. aged 18 to 40, 43% of all respondents admitted to "sexting" – sending a text message containing suggestive and highly explicit sexual language. Though 65% of those women will "sext" only while in a serious relationship, 36% of casual daters polled admit to sending a risqué message after just a few dates. Twenty-seven percent of all respondents had sent nude photos via emails or text messages.

Meanwhile, some things never change. Fifty-six percent of the respondents reported that they feel pressure to be married or in a committed relationship. The traditional charms of a man, such as a sense of humor (82%) or a killer smile (57%), remain the most popular "turn-ons." Respondents still believe a man should ask a woman out (59%), hold the door for them (54%) and pay for the first date (51%). The women surveyed also counted thoughtfulness and appreciation as definitions of romance, instead of grand gestures or gifts. It's really remembering the small details (reported by 56% of respondents) that matters the most.

[...]

Source:

Sacramento Bee / PR Newswire press release

URL:

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/09/4250619/harlequins-2012-romance-report.html

Date:

February 14, 2012

Affiliate:

Associated Issues & Expertise:

Singles in America 2012

Teaser:

Match.com released findings from its second annual Singles in America study – the largest and most comprehensive national study to investigate dating habits, behaviors, interests, and lifestyles of this large segment of the population. The 2012 report delves into sexual behaviors, love and relationships among singles across all categories and stages of life. Today's singles defy traditional gender and age stereotypes, seek new things in romance and partnership, and can draw a parallel between their political party affiliation and their sexual satisfaction.

Editorial:

From the press release:

Singles in America was funded by Match.com and conducted by MarketTools in association with biological anthropologist, Dr. Helen Fisher; sex and relationship therapist, Dr. Laura Berman;evolutionary biologist with The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, Dr. Justin R. Garcia; and the Institute for Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) at Binghamton University.

Source:

Match.com

URL:

http://blog.match.com/singles-in-america/

Date:

February 14, 2012

Affiliate:

Associated Issues & Expertise:

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NCRW is a network of leading university and community based research, policy, and advocacy centers with a growing global reach dedicated to advancing rights and opportunities for women and girls. We also have a Corporate Circle comprised of senior diversity professionals from leading U.S. and global member companies and a Presidents Circle of college and university leaders who share our commitment. NCRW harnesses the collective power of its network to provide knowledge, analysis, and thought leadership on issues ranging from reducing women’s poverty to building a critical mass of women’s leadership across sectors.

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