We were discussing homosexuality because of an allusion to it in the book we were reading, and several boys made comments such as, “That’s disgusting.” We got into the debate and eventually a boy admitted that he was terrified/disgusted when he was once sharing a taxi and the other male passenger made a pass at him. The lightbulb went off. “Oh,” I said. “I get it. See, you are afraid, because for the first time in your life you have found yourself a victim of unwanted sexual advances by someone who has the physical ability to use force against you.” The boy nodded and shuddered visibly.“But,” I continued. “As a woman, you learn to live with that from the time you are fourteen, and it never stops. We live with that fear every day of our lives. Every man walking through the parking garage the same time you are is either just a harmless stranger or a potential rapist. Every time.” The girls in the room nodded, agreeing. The boys seemed genuinely shocked. “So think about that the next time you hit on a girl. Maybe, like you in the taxi, she doesn’t actually want you to.

Homophobia: The fear that another man will treat you like you treat women. Andrew Sullivan.

(via benedictsmith)

Oh my god, amazing

(via esthergreenwood-x)

(Source: andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com, via oldwomanandthecrazy)


curiousbotanicals: A vertical forest is expected to be completed this year in Milan. There are two tower apartment complexes which contain a total of 400 residential units. The facade of the buildings will be covered with 730 trees, 5,000 shrubs, and 11,000 perennial plants. It is expected to have the same ecological impact as 10,000 square meters of forest. Aside from fighting smog and producing oxygen, the foliage is expected to provide insulation to the residential units. [x]

curiousbotanicals:

A vertical forest is expected to be completed this year in Milan. There are two tower apartment complexes which contain a total of 400 residential units. The facade of the buildings will be covered with 730 trees, 5,000 shrubs, and 11,000 perennial plants. It is expected to have the same ecological impact as 10,000 square meters of forest.

Aside from fighting smog and producing oxygen, the foliage is expected to provide insulation to the residential units.

[x]

(via oldwomanandthecrazy)


simply-war: A person is evacuated from the site where car bombs exploded on May 11, 2013 near the town hall in Reyhanli, just a few kilometres from the main border crossing into Syria (AFP Photo/ANATOLIAN NEWS AGENCY)

simply-war:

A person is evacuated from the site where car bombs exploded on May 11, 2013 near the town hall in Reyhanli, just a few kilometres from the main border crossing into Syria (AFP Photo/ANATOLIAN NEWS AGENCY)

(via este-mundo-e-meu)


from left to right; I am afraid to hold my boyfriend’s hand. My friend’s parents sent her away. I found death threats in my locker. I submitted to electroshock therapy. I lost half my friends after coming out. My grandmother sends me hate mail. My school won’t let me take my date to prom. I am not here anymore. My dad tried to beat it out of me. No one is proud of me.

from left to right;

I am afraid to hold my boyfriend’s hand.

My friend’s parents sent her away.

I found death threats in my locker.

I submitted to electroshock therapy.

I lost half my friends after coming out.

My grandmother sends me hate mail.

My school won’t let me take my date to prom.

I am not here anymore.

My dad tried to beat it out of me.

No one is proud of me.

(Source: lui19h, via beyondofmydreams)


(Source: seventeen-health, via prettyandfit)


Vicky Form is a Mexican lingerie company that has recently released a campaign called ”New commandments for women.” They read,1. I shall never call another woman a whore.2. No one can convince me from not wearing a condom.3. I shall never get pregnant just to keep a man by my side.4. No one can judge me based on the number of people I’ve slept with.5. Is my responsibility to fight for my own (woman) rights.6. I will not tolerate any kind of violence towards myself.7. I will not fear or be ashamed if I find myself attracted to woman.8. It is my decision if i want to get married or not. (and don’t deserve to be judged for it.) I find this campaign to be a ‘big deal’ for the fact that is released in Mexico. One of the most sexists, closed minded and underdeveloped countries in the world. Not so many companies take the risk to make advertisements like this because they’re obviously going to be criticized and possibly be affected by it.Someone is taking the risk, telling the truth, and trying to get to the minds of the people. Sharing the fact that we are all human, and have to be equally treated like it, leading to a better and more developed society.Its a big step for Mexico, and for women.

Vicky Form is a Mexican lingerie company that has recently released a campaign called ”New commandments for women.”

They read,

1. I shall never call another woman a whore.
2. No one can convince me from not wearing a condom.
3. I shall never get pregnant just to keep a man by my side.
4. No one can judge me based on the number of people I’ve slept with.
5. Is my responsibility to fight for my own (woman) rights.
6. I will not tolerate any kind of violence towards myself.
7. I will not fear or be ashamed if I find myself attracted to woman.
8. It is my decision if i want to get married or not. (and don’t deserve to be judged for it.)

I find this campaign to be a ‘big deal’ for the fact that is released in Mexico. One of the most sexists, closed minded and underdeveloped countries in the world.

Not so many companies take the risk to make advertisements like this because they’re obviously going to be criticized and possibly be affected by it.

Someone is taking the risk, telling the truth, and trying to get to the minds of the people. Sharing the fact that we are all human, and have to be equally treated like it, leading to a better and more developed society.
Its a big step for Mexico, and for women.

(Source: jamie-lee-coortis, via mirnah)


inothernews:

About 25 years ago, a slowly-rising tide claimed the Argentine town of Epecuen, once a lakeside village that saw tens of thousands of tourists each year.

Now, the water has receded, revealing a ghost town where walls tumbled over, cars rusted away and trees, still standing, were bleached by the sun and saltwater.

And Epecuen is, of course, a tourist attraction again.

(Photos: Natacha Pisarenko / AP via NBC News)


did-you-kno: Source

did-you-kno:

Source


animalcruelty-notok: Animal Cruelty Rising to Horrifying Heights in UK A puppy beaten to death with a baseball bat and a kitten spun in a clothes dryer are examples of the horrific animal abuse crimes that are on a dramatic increase in Britain. In a report just released, the RSPCA revealed shocking news that convictions for deliberate acts of cruelty and neglect to small animals, farm animals, horses and donkeys rose by 33.8 percent in England and Wales in 2012. The animal charity said it is “struggling to keep up” with the “growing animal cruelty cases.” The number of prosecutions grew to 4,168 last year from 3,114 in 2011. It was the highest spike of people found guilty of animal abuse since 2008. The RSPCA says it does not know what is causing the increase in abuse, but noted that staff members are taking more calls from people who are having a hard time financially. While this might be a reason for more cases of neglect, RSPCA Chief Executive Gavin Grant said it doesn’t explain the rise in cruelty. Some of the other victims of the shocking abuse included a dog that was repeatedly slashed with a knife by his owner and two young puppies that were buried alive. More than 30 rabbits and guinea pigs were found living among dead animals in filthy hutches and an emaciated pony was rescued from a tether that pinned it to the ground. In addition to the increase of convicted abusers, RSPCA inspectors investigated 150,833 suspected cases of cruelty last year and issued 78,090 “advice” notices to owners. The group said the notices, which give pet owners suggestions are, “extremely effective in improving the care of animals.” The welfare agency said prosecution for offenders is “always their last resort.” “However, if there is evidence of a crime and serious animal abuse then we will take legal action to protect the animals and prevent further abuse,” said Grant. Judges are also imposing serious sentences for those convicted of the abusive crimes. The 27-year-old man who beat the puppy with a baseball bat received 18 weeks in jail and the 22-year-old who spun a kitten in the dryer spent 56 days in jail. Both men are banned from owning another pet. The RSPCA also rescues abused, abandoned and neglected animals and those numbers increased dramatically in 2012 as well. The organization saved the lives of 130,695 animals last year, which is a 9.7 increase from 2011. That included rescuing pets such as a litter of newborn kittens that were abandoned in a park and helping 64,000 chickens that nearly drowned in a flooded barn. They also treated 500 horses, ponies and donkeys in 2012. “We are leading the fight against a growing animal cruelty crisis,” said Chris Nice RSPCA inspector. The charity said its staff and volunteers are dedicated and will not give up the fight to save animals. The RSPCA is currently holding their annual campaign. They expressed this plea, “More animals need our help than ever before and I urge everyone to give us as much support as they can, volunteer for us or, if they are able, to give a new home to an abandoned or abused animal.”

animalcruelty-notok:

Animal Cruelty Rising to Horrifying Heights in UK

A puppy beaten to death with a baseball bat and a kitten spun in a clothes dryer are examples of the horrific animal abuse crimes that are on a dramatic increase in Britain.

In a report just released, the RSPCA revealed shocking news that convictions for deliberate acts of cruelty and neglect to small animals, farm animals, horses and donkeys rose by 33.8 percent in England and Wales in 2012. The animal charity said it is “struggling to keep up” with the “growing animal cruelty cases.”

The number of prosecutions grew to 4,168 last year from 3,114 in 2011. It was the highest spike of people found guilty of animal abuse since 2008.

The RSPCA says it does not know what is causing the increase in abuse, but noted that staff members are taking more calls from people who are having a hard time financially. While this might be a reason for more cases of neglect, RSPCA Chief Executive Gavin Grant said it doesn’t explain the rise in cruelty.

Some of the other victims of the shocking abuse included a dog that was repeatedly slashed with a knife by his owner and two young puppies that were buried alive. More than 30 rabbits and guinea pigs were found living among dead animals in filthy hutches and an emaciated pony was rescued from a tether that pinned it to the ground.

In addition to the increase of convicted abusers, RSPCA inspectors investigated 150,833 suspected cases of cruelty last year and issued 78,090 “advice” notices to owners. The group said the notices, which give pet owners suggestions are, “extremely effective in improving the care of animals.” The welfare agency said prosecution for offenders is “always their last resort.”

“However, if there is evidence of a crime and serious animal abuse then we will take legal action to protect the animals and prevent further abuse,” said Grant.

Judges are also imposing serious sentences for those convicted of the abusive crimes. The 27-year-old man who beat the puppy with a baseball bat received 18 weeks in jail and the 22-year-old who spun a kitten in the dryer spent 56 days in jail. Both men are banned from owning another pet.

The RSPCA also rescues abused, abandoned and neglected animals and those numbers increased dramatically in 2012 as well. The organization saved the lives of 130,695 animals last year, which is a 9.7 increase from 2011. That included rescuing pets such as a litter of newborn kittens that were abandoned in a park and helping 64,000 chickens that nearly drowned in a flooded barn. They also treated 500 horses, ponies and donkeys in 2012.

“We are leading the fight against a growing animal cruelty crisis,” said Chris Nice RSPCA inspector. The charity said its staff and volunteers are dedicated and will not give up the fight to save animals.

The RSPCA is currently holding their annual campaign. They expressed this plea, “More animals need our help than ever before and I urge everyone to give us as much support as they can, volunteer for us or, if they are able, to give a new home to an abandoned or abused animal.”

(via fuckyeahcompassion)


It symbolizes that so far we have failed miserably in tackling this problem.

The level of the most important heat-trapping gas in the atmosphere, carbon dioxide, has passed a long-feared milestone, scientists reported on Friday, reaching a concentration not seen on the earth for millions of years.

Read: Carbon Dioxide Level Passes Long-Feared Milestone - NYTimes

(via brooklynmutt)

Scientific monitors reported that the gas had reached an average daily level that surpassed 400 parts per million — just an odometer moment in one sense, but also a sobering reminder that decades of efforts to bring human-produced emissions under control are faltering.

[…]

Ralph Keeling, who runs another monitoring program at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, said a continuing rise could be catastrophic. “It means we are quickly losing the possibility of keeping the climate below what people thought were possibly tolerable thresholds,” he said.

(via mohandasgandhi)

(via truth-has-a-liberal-bias)


positive-press-daily: Argentina PASSED groundbreaking gender identity bill From now on, people will be able to change the name and gender on their ID without needing psychiatric permission or any body modifications. Furthermore, anyone who does want hormones or surgery will be able to access them for free through the public and private health system. It was passed unanimously today by the Senate UNANIMOUSLY. Read more.

positive-press-daily:

Argentina PASSED groundbreaking gender identity bill

From now on, people will be able to change the name and gender on their ID without needing psychiatric permission or any body modifications. Furthermore, anyone who does want hormones or surgery will be able to access them for free through the public and private health system.

It was passed unanimously today by the Senate

UNANIMOUSLY.

Read more.

(Source: genderqueer, via este-mundo-e-meu)


teabonics-fb: By all means, let’s celebrate weapons that kill children, let’s glorify them while spitting in the face of their families. It’s the Republican way.

teabonics-fb:

By all means, let’s celebrate weapons that kill children, let’s glorify them while spitting in the face of their families. It’s the Republican way.

(via truth-has-a-liberal-bias)


stfuconservatives: smdxn: Eliz. Warren wants to cut student interest rates to near zero Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has introduced her first piece of legislation. It’s called the Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act, and would reduce the rate students pay on federally-subsidized student loans for one year, from 3.4% to 0.75%. Without congressional action, on July 1 the rate is set to double from 3.4% to 6.8%. Warren brings up an interesting point – her bill simply asks students to pay the same rates that big banks pay for borrowing. She’s literally just asking if college grads can get the same deal as bank CEOs. The exact same interest rate. Not even a bailout or anything fancy (pipe dreams!) - just the same interest rate.

stfuconservatives:

smdxn:

Eliz. Warren wants to cut student interest rates to near zero

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has introduced her first piece of legislation. It’s called the Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act, and would reduce the rate students pay on federally-subsidized student loans for one year, from 3.4% to 0.75%.

Without congressional action, on July 1 the rate is set to double from 3.4% to 6.8%.

Warren brings up an interesting point – her bill simply asks students to pay the same rates that big banks pay for borrowing.

She’s literally just asking if college grads can get the same deal as bank CEOs. The exact same interest rate. Not even a bailout or anything fancy (pipe dreams!) - just the same interest rate.

(via truth-has-a-liberal-bias)


inothernews: “I spent the entire day the building collapsed on the scene, watching as injured garment workers were being rescued from the rubble. I remember the frightened eyes of relatives — I was exhausted both mentally and physically. “Around 2 a.m., I found a couple embracing each other in the rubble. The lower parts of their bodies were buried under the concrete. The blood from the eyes of the man ran like a tear. “When I saw the couple, I couldn’t believe it. I felt like I knew them — they felt very close to me. I looked at who they were in their last moments as they stood together and tried to save each other — to save their beloved lives. “…This photo is haunting me all the time. If the people responsible don’t receive the highest level of punishment, we will see this type of tragedy again. There will be no relief from these horrific feelings. I’ve felt a tremendous pressure and pain over the past two weeks surrounded by dead bodies. As a witness to this cruelty, I feel the urge to share this pain with everyone. That’s why I want this photo to be seen.” — Photographer TASLIMA AKHTER, on his photo of man and a woman discovered in a final embrace amidst the rubble of a fatal building collapse in Savar, Bangladesh. (via Time Magazine)

inothernews:

“I spent the entire day the building collapsed on the scene, watching as injured garment workers were being rescued from the rubble. I remember the frightened eyes of relatives — I was exhausted both mentally and physically.

“Around 2 a.m., I found a couple embracing each other in the rubble. The lower parts of their bodies were buried under the concrete. The blood from the eyes of the man ran like a tear.

“When I saw the couple, I couldn’t believe it. I felt like I knew them — they felt very close to me. I looked at who they were in their last moments as they stood together and tried to save each other — to save their beloved lives.

“…This photo is haunting me all the time. If the people responsible don’t receive the highest level of punishment, we will see this type of tragedy again. There will be no relief from these horrific feelings. I’ve felt a tremendous pressure and pain over the past two weeks surrounded by dead bodies. As a witness to this cruelty, I feel the urge to share this pain with everyone. That’s why I want this photo to be seen.”

— Photographer TASLIMA AKHTER, on his photo of man and a woman discovered in a final embrace amidst the rubble of a fatal building collapse in Savar, Bangladesh.

(via Time Magazine)

(via truth-has-a-liberal-bias)


(Source: smallwhitedove, via fuckyeahcompassion)



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