abortion

Except if you’re fat

Sunflower Punk, , , , , , , Leave a comment

So since the overturn of Roe v. Wade last year, this list has been passed around. It is a list of gynecologists who will perform tubals and such, no questions asked. Great!

However, here is the catch. If you’re fat? You’re out of luck. I know this because my former Austin doctor is on the list. And she told me when I saw her last year (before the overturn) that I needed to lose 50 pounds before she’d even consider it.

This is bullshit for several reasons. But for me, personally, losing weight is nearly impossible. I have hypothyroidism, I’m multiply physically disabled. Exercise is hard for me. Currently, I am homeless and have very little access to good and healthy foods. I’m also currently dealing with heart problems that may be some form of heart disease.

Losing weight for me is not as easy as just joining a gym and eating “right”. And while I was not homeless when I saw the Austin doctor, I was living below the poverty line and as we know (or should know by now), eating healthily on food stamps is a struggle.

So, I do appreciate that this list exists but I wish people would remember that fat people also exist. Seeing this list with no disclaimer for fat people is hurtful. It feels like I and my fellow fat people are being ignored. Which is what society does to us, if they’re not ridiculing us, that is.

Except if you’re fat
{advertisement}

Politics, Public Relations, and Social Psychology

Ania Onion Bula, , , 1 Comment

With the federal elections of both Canada and the US approaching, not to mention the constant political maneuvering happening across provinces and states, a lot of things are happening at once. It can feel like a whirlwind, just getting your bearings about one issue before the next one suddenly crops up demanding your attention. The breakneck pace of the news cycle means that a lot of the resolution or lack thereof of one issue often gets missed.

It’s the perfect setting to employ several tricks of social psychology that make it possible for politicians (and salespeople and so on) to change the conversation without ever having to convince the electorate of the issue. I’ve talked about at least one of these social psychology manipulation techniques before.

Additionally, it allows them to employ several public relations tricks to encourage several extreme side groups, while also counting on the majority of the population to forget about it before it’s time to vote.

It’s called a Test Balloon.

Continue reading “Politics, Public Relations, and Social Psychology” →

Politics, Public Relations, and Social Psychology

My forced pregnancy

Sunflower Punk, , , , , 3 Comments

TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual assault/rape. Domestic violence. Reproductive coercion. Instances of victim blaming/shaming. Gas lighting.

Update: June 24th, 2022

I wrote this a long time ago, back when I lived in a blue state and abortion was still a right. But today is different. Roe v Wade has been overturned. I don’t know what the future holds. But I wanted to reshare this old post. I’m now married, out as queer, and living in Texas. I know, yikes. I’ve already started looking into more permanent sterilization. TJ uses they/them pronouns and I updated the post to change the gendered language to gender-neutral. Not all people who can get pregnant are women. So, please be mindful of the language you use. My life has changed a lot, and for the better. But I’m still terrified. For myself, my child, and all who are affected by the Supreme Court’s decision.

Anyway, below is the original post (with updated language, of course)

Continue reading “My forced pregnancy” →

My forced pregnancy