gender

Hooray! It's Friday, the sun is shining (somewhere), and the US House of Representatives has passed the Hate Crimes bill! Says Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) of Missouri:

"This bill is a powerful statement that hate has no place in America. It brings existing Federal hate crimes law into the 21st century by broadening it to include crimes motivated by gender, sexual orientation and disability."

Spread the word! Hate has no place in America, and crimes motivated by gender do indeed count as hate crimes. (What? They weren't love crimes? Who knew?) In all seriousness though, this is great news. Now all those haters out there (I'm talking to you, Virginia Foxx) can shove it. (And go to jail for it.)

Along with hot pink and oversize handbags, women's magazines are pushing a new trend this season: lesbianism. At least, that is the impression given by this article in this month's O Magazine (featured also today on CNN.com).

The article, entitled "Why Women Are Leaving Men For Other Women," deals with well, exactly what it sounds like it would deal with. While it's a great thing that a mainstream magazine like O is apparently making an effort to normalize same-sex relationships, it's hard not to feel a little weird about the way the author (Mary A. Fischer) treats lesbianism and sexual fluidity as a fun, sexy, new trend that is all the rage this season. (What's next? Flashy new mood rings that change color based on your gender identity?)

Sarah Maple isn't afraid to be provocative or stir up a bit of controversy now and then. Born to parents of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds (her mother is a Muslim from Kenya and her father is a Christian from the U.K.), much of her work deals with her own identity. From Islam to race to gender and sex, Maple's works touch on everything you aren't supposed to talk about at dinner.