It’s Still A Man’s World….Will It Ever Change?
By Gaetana Drake
President Obama will be speaking in Denver on August 8th. Georgetown University Law School graduate Sandra Fluke will be introducing him.
You may remember Sandra Fluke from Rush Limbaugh’s characterization of her as a “slut and prostitute” and his desire for her to film her sexual encounters for him to watch. All of this started when Ms. Fluke was denied the opportunity to speak before a congressional panel discussing birth control. Remember, this was a five-person panel composed of only men (who refused to hear any testimony from women). Ms. Fluke was able to speak at other forums and advocated for insurance coverage for birth control. Keep in mind that most insurance plans voluntarily cover the little blue magic pill for men (Viagra), but until 8/1/12, when portions of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act went into effect, chose not to cover birth control.
Apparently, Mr. Limbaugh isn’t the only male who believes that sexually active women are sluts. There have been many comments made on-line concerning Ms. Fluke’s appearance in Denver. The vast majority of them refer to her in sexually explicit terms. Terms you wouldn’t want someone to use when discussing your mother, sister or daughter. I am always appalled at how many people believe a sexually active adult female is something to be denigrated.
It’s unfortunate that we don’t have comparable terms for men who are sexually active. Instead, they get bragging rights for their conquests. They get “high fives” and slaps on the back from their buddies. They are considered normal, healthy men. At the very worst, they are called a “player”. That term hardly has a negative tone. And all the while, the very women they are having sex with are called “whores and sluts”.
It’s unbelievable that in the year 2012, we are still having to fight for our right to use birth control. It’s also unbelievable that we still consider sexually active adult women to be sluts. Haven’t we evolved more than that? Will women ever achieve true equality to men?
Eye On Modesto 