turning tables

Many women describe sexism as a part of 'normal' life. Here Leah Green goes undercover in London to see how unsuspecting men react to sexist situations often experienced by women – but this time perpetrated by a female. All scenes are based on real encounters reported by women to@EverydaySexism

http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/apr/04/everyday-sexism-turn-tables-women-men-video

eating disorders and feminism

The following post is taken from: http://musingsofafemmefeminist.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/eating-disorders-attack-institutions.html

"Eating Disorders: Attack the Institutions, not the Sufferers

I really have no idea where to post this- on my recovery blog or here- but I guess I'll post it on both, because it's relevant in both places. I'm finding that sometimes I post about larger issues and sometimes I get more personal on here- either way, I only discuss what I think will be relevant to other people.

Since I returned home from Guatemala, I have felt completely lost. My eating disorder wasn't symptomatic in the slightest when I was in Guatemala, because I got on a regular meal schedule, my body dysmorphia was controlled due to a lack of mirrors, and because social justice is one of my greatest passions- and when I am immersed in my passions, restrictive eating and food and body rituals don't appeal to me as much. Focusing on larger issues gets me out of my own head and motivates me to focus on making the world a better place rather than destroying my body. I was terrified that when I returned home the disordered mindset and behaviors that I left at home would come back into my life with a vengeance- and I was right. 

How is this relevant to feminism at all? Because whenever I struggle with eating and body image, I am overwhelmed by feelings of guilt and disgust- guilt for being "a bad feminist, a negative role model, and a hypocrite" since I am such a strong advocate for body positivity, and disgust with myself for being "superficial and vain" when there are more important things I should be worrying about, like how to make the world a better place. Apparently, according to Post Secret, I am not the only feminist who feels this way. Check out these two archived secrets: (see images)

Knowing that other people feel the same way as I do puts this into perspective. It makes me sad to think that women berate themselves for struggling with their health, when the only way to recover from an eating disorder is through self-compassion. An eating disorder is painful enough without adding feminist guilt on top of it, and frankly, guilt over one's feminist identity is unnecessary.  

Because Anorexia Nervosa in particular manifests itself in an obsession with thinness, the average person may forget that the illness is not a diet, nor a lifestyle choice, nor a quest for beauty- but rather a direct attack on the flesh that is a symptom of larger, deep-rooted issues (In September I'll be writing an article for Libero on how an eating disorder is really a form of self-harm, so you should check it out!). The thin ideal permeates our entire culture, but only a small percentage of people have eating disorders- why? Because an eating disorder, while fueled by the thin ideal in some cases, is so much more complicatedthan a response to societal ideals. I want to remember this the next time I start hating myself for thinking about food and weight so often when I'm supposed to be a feminist. 

My eating disorder is an illness, not a reflection of my character. My eating disorder is about deeper issues, not about being vain or superficial. I can still advocate for body positivity without feeling like a hypocrite, because my struggles are very personal to me and do not negate my views on body positivity/Health At Every Size as a social movement. Besides, it's not like I am not actively working on overcoming my eating disorder. I am. I am motivated by my desire to practice what I preach as a feminist- but that doesn't mean I should hate myself in the process for not being "perfect" at recovery and self-love.

I think people forget sometimes that feminism is about standing up to oppressive institutions rather than tearing down individuals. Take patriarchy, for example: you can actively fight patriarchy, the systematic outlook of men as superior beings, without hating on individual men who are also negatively impacted by gender stereotypes and expectations (unfortunately, I don't think all feminists realize this!). So, if you want to fight institutions that perpetuate thin ideal, more power to you! Sign petitions to stop magazines from photoshopping, create your own positive body image blog, boycott stores that promote pro-ana attitudes, encourage the young people in your life to value their hearts and minds more than their appearance. However, fighting the thin ideal doesn't include placing the blame on individuals that are victims to our cultural ideals, and that includes people with eating disorders- whether it is someone you know or yourself. People with eating disorders do not deserve your anger or judgment- their personal struggle is really not your business (unless it is a loved one trying to help them with recovery) or a feminist issue. Want to make a difference? Get angry and judgmental about the societal forces that normalize disordered eating. Get angry and judgmental at the health care industry for not putting enough focus on mental health (eating disorder research receives barely any funding and insurance companies are reluctant to cover eating disorder treatment- although this has improved with recent legislation!). Get angry at our cultural ideals for being so fucked up that people who are genuinely passionate about body positivity fall for myths about food, weight, and body image just as much as people who aren't actively trying to be body positive.

I am not saying that you shouldn't hold yourself and the people around you accountable for their words and actions. If someone makes a sexist comment or insults someone else's body, by all means call them out! I would just say that if someone is going through a personal struggle, be supportive- save the feminist analysis and rage for institutions. Hating and judging myself for being both a feminist and in recovery from eating disorders has not benefited myself or society in the slightest, so I am done making my personal recovery journey into a feminist issue. I am actually quite torn about being so public about my eating disorder, because while I have always thought that it is important to be open about it to raise mental health awareness and encourage other people in recovery (making the personal the political!), it is awfully exhausting trying (and sometimes failing) to be a role model/advocate/activist all the time. When I take on these roles, I start to see myself through the eyes of other people rather than through my own eyes, and sometimes I get lost in trying to portray myself in a certain light rather than taking active steps to overcome my eating disorder for ME. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is this: I advocate for body positivity. I am also in recovery from an eating disorder. The two are not mutually exclusive, and I have decided that I will no longer be ashamed. I will also have to think about how open I choose to be about my personal struggles in the future... 

So, if you're a feminist like me and also struggling with body image and eating- or if you know someone that fits this description- take a step back for a second and show some compassion. And in general, remember that judgment against individuals and judgment against institutions are two very different things.

Love, 

your femme feminist,

Jess"

see more at: http://musingsofafemmefeminist.blogspot.co.uk/

HIV p o s i t i v e

photo by Artis LangBruttig & Brittney Terry

About HIV

What is HIV?

HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system-the body's defence against diseases.  The latest research suggests that between 70 and 90 per cent of people may experience symptoms of infection a few days after having been infected.  Three symptoms occuring together: fever, rash and a severe sore throat should always be considered a potential indicator of HIV infection.  These symptoms usually disappear within two or three weeks.  Some people may not experience these early symptoms.  In all cases, without effective treatment the immune system will become very weak and no longer be able to fight off illnesses.

Are HIV and AIDS the same?

No. When someone is described as living with HIV, they have the HIV virus in their body. A person is considered to have developed AIDS when the immune system is so weak it can no longer fight off a range of diseases with which it would normally cope.

Is there a cure for HIV?

No, but treatment can keep the virus under control and the immune system healthy.  People on HIV treatment can live a healthy, active life, although they may experience side effects from the treatment.  If HIV is diagnosed late, treatment may be less effective in preventing AIDS.

Find out more facts about HIV and some of the myths at our website HIVAware.

Living with HIV

What's it like living with HIV?

If people with HIV are diagnosed early and respond to treatment they can be healthy, work and have relationships like anyone else and have a long life expectancy.

Coming to terms with an HIV diagnosis and getting used to treatment can be very difficult however, and people living with HIV will often need support from healthcare providers, friends and family, employers and support organisations. Read real stories from people living with HIV talking about their experiences.

What treatment is available for people with HIV?

HIV treatment was transformed with the introduction in 1996 of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) which now means that as long as someone is diagnosed in time and then adheres to their medication they can in the vast majority of cases manage their health condition and look forward to a near normal life expectancy. 

There are side-effects for some people who take ART, including fatigue, depression and diarrhoea, though these are increasingly well-managed. 

In the early days of treatment, people with HIV had to take a very large number of pills, often with complex timing and/or dietary requirements, but advances in treatment now mean someone commencing treatment will in all probability have to take only one pill a day.

Why do people find it hard to tell others they're HIV positive?

People living with HIV may find it hard to tell others about their condition as they worry that people will reject them, or they will experience prejudice from friends, family and colleagues. People living with HIV can also experience discrimination in their workplace, in healthcare settings (for example GPs and dentists), from members of their local community and through the media.

HIV prejudice is often the result of ignorance about how HIV is passed on and unfounded fear of becoming infected. Encouraging those around us to talk about HIV and find out the facts can help overcome this. You can find advice about how to react when someone tells you they have HIV at HIVAware

Transmission

How is HIV passed on?

HIV can be passed on through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk. The most common ways HIV is passed on are:

Sex without a condom with someone living with HIV

• 
  
• Sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug 
• equipment
• 
  
• From an HIV-positive mother (to her child) during pregnancy, 
• childbirth or breastfeeding - if the right steps to prevent infection are not taken
• 
  

Can you get HIV from oral sex?

Oral sex carries a much lower risk than vaginal or anal sex, but HIV can still be passed on through cuts or ulcers in the mouth if they come into contact with infected bodily fluids.

Can you get HIV from kissing?

No. HIV cannot be passed on through:

Kissing or touching

• 
  
• Spitting, coughing or sneezing
• 
  
• Toilet seats, swimming pools, or shared facilities or utensils
• 
  

Can women living with HIV still have a baby?

Yes. HIV can be passed from mother to child, but there are steps that can be taken to reduce the possibility of the child contracting HIV to less than one per cent, including giving the mother and child antiretroviral HIV drugs, delivering the child by Caesarean and not breastfeeding the baby.

Prevention

Could I get HIV?

If you are sexually active or share needles you could be at risk from getting HIV. Although anyone can become infected, some communities in the UK have higher rates of infection, such as gay and bisexual men and Black African men and women. Take our online test to find out if you have put yourself at risk here.

How can I protect myself from HIV?

Always use a condom when having vaginal or anal sex. You also may want to use a condom or dental dam during oral sex although the risk of transmission of HIV is much lower. Always use a condom that carries the European CE safety mark. You can get free condoms from a family planning or sexual health clinic, which you can locate at www.fpa.org.uk/finder/. Never share needles, syringes or any other injecting equipment.

- See more at: http://www.nat.org.uk/HIV-Facts/The-basics.aspx#sthash.okamFM9J.dpuf

For more information about HIV and AIDS please visit:

http://www.nat.org.uk/HIV-Facts/Did-you-know.aspx

http://www.hivaware.org.uk/be-aware/common-myths.php