Men are greatly affected by society standards too.

I have a son, and I always try to correct him when he tells me something is a "boy thing" or a "girl thing" by saying "everything is for everyone, you can do whatever you want." But I know some children do not grow up in families which promote gender equality, and I also know most schools and societies struggle at promoting gender equality and letting people be who they want to be. 

This is a very eye opening video about boys and men who've grown up being told to "man up" and "grow some balls." I hope this encourages parents, teachers, coaches and anyone else who are in young boys lives to ease up on them, don't tell them they aren't strong enough or that they aren't allowed to have emotions, it may just push them over the edge.

Ellen Page's Powerful Speech During Time To Thrive

Last night during the Human Rights Campaign Time to Thrive conference in Las Vegas Ellen Page made a very brave decision. She came out. She recieved a standing ovation and quickly the tweets from celebrities showing their support came rolling in. Ellen gives an amazingly powerful speech and you can watch the whole thing here and I've included two quotes at the bottom that really touched me, maybe they will be your favorite too or maybe you'll find something else you really like. Simply put, this is a speech that effects everyone concerned with Human Rights, not just a speech about coming out. She simply slipped that in at the end, I'm sure she feels so liberated, free to be herself...finally.

"There are pervasive stereotypes about masculinity and femininity that define how we are all supposed to act, dress, and speak. They serve no one." -Ellen Page 

"If we just took 5 minutes to recognize each other's beauty instead of attacking each other for our differences. That's not that hard, it's really an easier and better way to live. And ultimately, it saves lives."   -Ellen Page 

Dale Hansen Takes a Break From Sports to Talk About Equality

You don't usually expect an older person to be pro equality, especially when that person is a sportscaster. It does make me very happy to see that stereotype broken. Many people put abusers, dog fighters, rapists and drug addicts on pedestals of greatness because they are sports "heroes" but shutter at the fact that a great player is homosexual. I believe that Dale Hansen's speech, which was delivered on February 9th, 2014 after possible NFL draft pick Michael Sam came out, brings to light a very powerful message.

"I'm not always comfortable when a man tells me he's gay; I don't understand his world, but I do understand that he's part of mine.

 -Dale Hansen 

Sex Trafficking a Problem in Utah?

When you think of sex trafficking you may think of Asia, Africa, or even the movie Taken. The truth is that unfortunately, sex trafficking happens all over the world, even in a place that most would call "ultra conservative" like Salt Lake City, Utah. 

In the last week a couple of things have happened in Salt Lake that have brought light to this issue. For starters a man named Victor Rax has been arrested and placed in the Salt Lake County Jail by the Attorney General's SECURE Strike Force (launched in June by Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff to target major crimes by undocumented aliens). Rax, allegedly preyed on immigrants-especially teen boys, threatening to report anyone who would not comply what he said. His investigation consists of aggravated human trafficking, unlawful sexual activity with a minor, unlawful endangerment of a minor, and possession with intent to distribute drugs. 

Now we are all glad that Rax is in jail, but what about his victims? Human trafficking is a growing problem in Utah according to Rep Jan Seelig, D-Salt Lake City. Currently she's pressuring the legislature to pass her bill HB 254 which would decriminalize victims if they are caught in a situation of human slavery. This bill would make it possible for authorities to provide help to victims 17 or younger by allowing them time to figure out their family situation and get them in touch with Child and Family Services instead of the court.  

Mozambique Women's Center Project

I am in my third semester of college at Weber State University and it wasn't long before I decided that I needed to choose a degree that would allow me to do more for women. I always knew I wanted to assist in bettering other women's lives but at the University level I am able to take classes to open my eyes up to new ways of getting out there and helping. When I went to declare my minor in Women Studies the advisor let me know that there was a new class being offered spring semester 2014 and that I should take it. It is a class all about Mozambique, Africa and there would be a study abroad program offered at the end of the semester where we will be assisting in building MozWoc, a women's center which will be used as a gathering place for meetings, classes and a clinic. I decided that it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I promptly signed up.

Now the study abroad program is $4,200 but will earn me 9 credit hours, some of which are upper division which is so exciting. 

Plus......

I GET TO GO TO AFRICA!!!!!

This class is a mixture between geography, dance and women's studies, and is giving us the chance to form groups and create projects that will benefit the lives of the women in Mozambique. My group particularly is working on creating cloth menstrual pads and information packets about menstrual health. Other groups in class are working on painting the women]s center wall with beautiful murals, creating square foot gardens, teaching basic math and English skills, solar ovens, and basic health and hygiene. There are also a pair of individuals in the class who are filming a documentary about our experience. They created a short three and a half minute preview to share with the world and let them know what we are doing and what donors are supporting when they send money or attend our events, and I am sharing that video with you now. 

Please feel free to share this video, and donate if you are able. We're about $37,000 into our goal of $50,000.  

Sheryl WuDunn's TEDTalks, she tells it like it is.

If you haven't read "Half The Sky" written by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn you really should get your hands on a copy and started! But if you need a little encouragement the documentary is on Netflix, it's two parts and is hard to stop watching!

This TEDTalks covers many of the topics featured in the book and the documentary and gives me chills. Take the eighteen minutes and be inspired to help the women all over the world! 

An Eye Opening French Film Showing What it's Like to be a Woman in a Male Dominated Society

I wasn't really sure what to expect when I came upon this film, but I took the 11 minutes and watched it with an open mind. I honestly loved it. I know that some people are going to view this film and say "this is hyperbole, things really aren't that bad for women," but the sad truth is, things are that bad. Maybe not in your neighborhood, maybe not in your state, maybe not in the USA as compared to other parts of the world but there is always an opportunity to better the world and bring issues to light. I believe this short film gives a great example of what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes, you may not realize at the time but what you say and do does directly impact those around you.

(I will give you a bit of a warning, there are some topless women, and some explicit French words so you may not want to watch this openly at work but I would definitely recommend bookmarking it and coming back to it on break.) 

"Oppressed Majority" was directed by Eléonore Pourriat.