5SR - September 29, 2023

Madison T. Clark is a full-time freelance writer, part-time college counselor, and founder of the newly launched Grief Cards, a company that makes sympathy cards that don't suck.

United States Scores a C on Global LGBTQ+ Human Rights Scorer (19th* News)

This is both heartbreaking and widely overlooked news. My home state of Missouri got a D, and that doesn’t even yet account for all of the transphobic legislation that has been in the works since this survey was done.

As Dr. Anu Kumar states in the article:

Here’s to a tomorrow that, hopefully, eventually, will be hopeful for every queer sibling, too.

Protecting A Predator (NY Mag)

Some days, it’s hard to go outside. As a woman, as a femme-presenting cis woman, there are few spaces where I can feel confident that sexual harassment or assault won’t take place. The OBGYN’s office should, absolutely and completely, be one of those places no matter what your gender or gender presentation is.

But because of the inaction of Columbia University, hundreds of patients - coming in for annual exams, with concerns about their reproductive health, in the middle of a pregnancy, and so many other intimately personal circumstances - were sexually abused by someone who should have been a trusted part of their healthcare team. It’s truly disgusting and I hate that this type of despicable behavior is commonplace in our society.

Tremaine Emory Leaves Supreme, Alleging Systemic Racism (The Cut)

Tremaine Emory is an incredible designer. Whether with his own clothing brand or when consulting with other companies, he ensures that attention is given to the Black American experience in particular. So to have something of this magnitude happen, with few media channels picking it up, is absolutely wild to me.

This is a story that continues unfolding, even over a month since it first broke, so I encourage you to continue following along -- and to give Tremaine Emory his well-deserved flowers.

The Fastest Woman In The World Is Leaving Behind Her Haters (19th* News)

The misogynoir that Black women face solely because of their identity is something I cannot possibly understand because I do not experience life the same way. Simultaneously, the courage and fearlessness needed to be a Black woman in the public eye is something that I can never fully grasp.

I’m getting emotional just thinking about Sha’Carri Richardson, Venus and Serena Williams, Brittney Griner, Coco Gauff, Angel Reese, Simone Biles, and so many other Black women who not only come up against unjust stereotypes and systemic violence each day, but who also fight to succeed and to be their whole, authentic selves while doing it.

As The Number Of Women In The N.F.L. Expands, So Does This Group Text (New York Times)

First and foremost: I love women. So, so much. When women find themselves one of few in a sea of men - in a space that was never intended to welcome anyone other than men - the way that we so often forge a path forward together… it’s so impressive.

This story gave me numerous reasons to smile, but one bit in particular felt too authentic not to share it here: