Choose one of the current events below (between A,B or C) and do some background research on it (please see the title and website link). Explain how the laws or policies related to your current event oppress a marginalized group or assist in dismantling oppression. What kind of oppression exists? Explain how the policies or laws might be justified through sexism (what kind of sexism?) or homophobia. How does your current event relate to the readings specifically the readings this week (see Required reading and references(reference 2 is attached))? You must tie your current event to at least one reading (see Required reading and references (reference 2 if attached)). What is your opinion? Can you think of solutions to the issue?

A.        Abortion Laws:

      1.  10 Things You Need to Know About US Abortion Laws: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/06/abortion-laws-in-the-us-10-things-you-need-to-know/

      2.  State Law and Policies: An Overview of Abortion Laws: https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/overview-abortion-laws

B.      Parental Leave:

        1. The Fight for Parental Leave: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marybethferrante/2019/01/10/in-the-fight-for-paid-parental-leave-6-months-should-be-the-minimum/#24db55512073
       
2. Paid Leave for everyone: https://paidleave.us/

3. Youtube link: https://youtu.be/YMxqlo_4Hhw

C.    Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports:

        What Critics Get Wrong: https://www.businessinsider.com/what-critics-get-wrong-about-transgender-athletes-in-womens-sports-2019-4

        An Opinion Piece: https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/04/15/transgender-athletes-will-spell-the-end-of-womens-sports/

Required reading and references:

Readings

    1.    Textbook: Pharr, S. (2017). Homophobia as a weapon of sexism. In P.S. Rothenberg, (Ed.), Race, class, and gender in the United States: An integrated study (10th ed., pp.134-143). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

    2.    Textbook: Miller, J. B. (2017). Domination and subordination. In P.S. Rothenberg (Ed.), Race, class, and gender in the United States: An integrated study (10th ed., pp. 91-96). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

  3.      Article: Herek, G. M. (2007). Confronting sexual stigma and prejudice: Theory and practice. Journal of Social Issues, 63(4), 905-925. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-4560.2007.00544.x
        Website: 30+ Examples of Heterosexual (Straight) Privilege