What a week! Potential vaccines ahoy, the SpaceX Dragon Capsule docks with the International Space Station, series 4 of The Crown has landed, a perma-tanned dictator continues his willy-tugging tantrum, and the UK sees the back of a certain government adviser who thinks himself a genius (give me a break…).
COVID-19 continues to kick everyone’s arse (groundhog day, anyone?). And with further restrictions comes more lockdown-related weight stigma and shame, with people bleating on about how to avoid “lockdown pounds” or sharing their weight gain “shame”. Read the room, guys – there are way more important things to think about without putting people at risk from eating disorders. And since nearly half the UK population gained weight this year, perhaps it’s like, you know, a perfectly normal reaction to a stressful situation? 🧐
We invite you to take a break from all the nonsense and enjoy this week’s eclectic mix of science and feminism, which ranges from the “urinary leash” and underrepresentation in computer science, to female fighter pilots and pricks of 19th century literature. Read on – and don’t forget to share with your coven of like-minded hags. RF
Taking the P*ss
Long queues, substandard public loos, and the “urinary leash” – toilets are a feminist issue
Today is World Toilet Day (hurrah!) – so garland yourself in panic-bought toilet paper, settle yourself on your porcelain throne, and let us tell you a story of loos and ladies...
Here in the UK, the first public toilets were for men only, and women’s travel was limited accordingly – referred to by historians as the “urinary leash.” Today, British women may have broken that particular chain, but lack of access to suitable toilets still disproportionately affects women worldwide – from minor inconvenience to serious danger.
Read all about it in the full article – featuring the hidden sexism of the queue for the ladies, the women saying “No Toilet, No Bride,” India’s Barbie-pink pee palaces, and tiny ice creams.
If you’d like to help bring privacy and dignity to women’s lives, you can donate to WaterAid, or why not “twin” your toilet (a great Christmas gift for those difficult-to-buy-for people!). MF
TIT BITS
Keeping abreast of the latest news, views, and research
Fly the hag
Women, swooping undetected through the night sky, wanting to take matters into their own hands, scaring the shit out of men… Sound familiar? Well swap broomsticks for plywood planes, and malevolent spells for 23,000 fuck-off bombs, and you have the Nachthexen (Night Witches). Set up by Marina Raskova, the first female navigator in the Soviet Air Force, this all-female flying squadron played a crucial role in fighting the Nazis in World War II. Read this article if you need to do an air punch today. RT
Sick of it
Women who live in matrilineal societies (where women inherit resources and have equal decision-making power) are healthier than women in communities where men inherit and hold household authority (patrilineal). It seemed to have much less impact on men – hardly surprising, since they have stuff like autonomy and access to resources regardless of who’s in charge. Proving what we have been saying for ages – the patriarchy makes us sick. MF
Error 404: women of colour not found
The number of US women of colour (WOC) achieving PhDs in computer science has been described as “minuscule” by a new article in Science. Last year, just seven US WOC received a PhD in computer science – representing 0.43% of all computer science doctorates, and only 2.1% of doctorates awarded to women. Step it up, world/educators – changing the agenda for WOC can’t all be down to, err, WOC… JS
Sort yourself out, Bruce
Get ready to put your head in your hands, hags – a recent Australian survey revealed that one in three young men (18–34 years) don’t consider punching or hitting as domestic abuse. Although a small national online survey (n=1,074), the results are, quite frankly, horrific (further stats in the link if you can face it). Looks like White Ribbon’s mission to end male violence has a long way to go yet. RF
Don’t despair. Channel your fury into something productive and register for the UN’s Elimination of Violence against Women webinar.
TO THE KRAKEN 🦑
Ms K makes no exceptions for grubby money-grabbers
This week’s snacks are being thrown overboard for refusing to cancel their parking fine to a new mother breastfeeding in a petrol station car park… after buying petrol. The parking company (sort of) did the right thing in the end, but were so pissy about it we are sending them to the kraken with no chance for appeal. RF
HEX Education
There will be blood
We at HEX are huge fans of Dr Jen Gunter, who debunks garbage science and myths (lol, Goop) and gets more people talking about – and understanding – women’s health. A super-shero for womankind, if you will, calling bullshit on myths, crackpot theories and jade eggs. KAPOW! 🦸♀️ Her excellent TED talk “Why can’t we talk about periods?” snarkaliciously breaks down menstrual taboos and shares interesting nuggets of information everyone should know. Like how period cramps are actually your uterus contracting to stop blood vessels adding more blood to your uterine lining – rather than, you know, trying to squeeze it out like a tube of toothpaste. You’re welcome for that mental image. RF
Dr Jen Gunter, preparing to cruise around town in her Vagmobile. Image from Dr Gunter’s website.
FEMINISTS RUIN EVERYTHING
The coven discuss what we’re reading, watching, loving, and loathing
Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre is a classic Bildungsroman, following the plain but intensely moral Jane as she makes her way through life. This week, Marie Fury and Rorschach Tess ask: is this modern gothic romance just about a load of pricks?
Find out here
More things chopping our newts this week:
The Anti Diet Riot Club's 6 Tips for lessening the effect of lockdown on your body image | This Reasons I'm Awesome printable for when imposter syndrome strikes | Wondering which type of introvert we are | Space Karen | This frankly excellent list of archaic terms for sex – anyone fancy playing at rumpscuttle and clapperdepouch?
The HEX Science team
🧬Jean Splicer | ☢ Marie Fury | 🧠 Rorschach Tess | 🔬 Rosalind Frankly