My New Blog, Where To Find Me, And How To Contact Me

If you read this blog or if you liked this blog, when it was alive, then I think you’ll like my new blog.
Check out my new blog: Forwrrrd
Forwrrrd is an activism, DIY, equal rights, feminism, human rights, riot grrrl, and women’s rights blog. If anybody wants to contribute something to the blog, email me: grrrlsvomitcandy@hotmail.com with the subject “blog” or “contribute”. Contributions must be activism, diy, equal rights, feminism, human rights, riot grrrl, and/or women’s rights focused. Any and all contributions will be appreciated and credited. Thanks!

Here are some websites I can be found on:
Riot Grrrl Online Website (RGO) link #1 or RGO link #2 or RGO link #3
Riot Grrrl Online News/Updates Page
Riot Grrrl Online Forum
Riot Grrrl Online Social Network
Free @riotgrrrl.co.uk Email Address
Riot Grrrl Chat
Riot Grrrl Online Updates and Other Riot Grrrl/Feminism Stuff
Riot Grrrl Online LiveJournal Community
Riot Grrrl Online Last.fm Group
Riot Grrrl Online on Myspace
Riot Grrrl Online Group on Myspace
Riot Grrrl Online Mailing List
Riot Grrrl Online on MyBlogLog

Here are some social networks I can be found on:
Care2
Delicious
DeviantArt
Digg
Last.fm
LiveJournal
Myspace
TakingItGlobal
Technorati
Twitter
Wikipedia
Windows Live Spaces

You can also email me, but just remove the NOSPAM part of the email address.

Feel free to email me: links, riot grrrl chapters, information, articles, submissions, contributions, etc. for the Riot Grrrl Online website or for the Forwrrrd Blog. Thanks!

I Hate Sarah Palin

It’s true. I know this may be confusing. For some reason, I’ve consistently been questioned by why I do not like her. She has a vulva, so we must have things in common, right? Actually, not much more than that 2nd X chromosome. Here are a few things that I know about Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin:

- Elected as Governor in 2006 and previous political history includes being mayor of her hometown of about 6,700 people (Wasilla)
- Youngest person and first female to become Governor of Alaska
- Strongly opposes abortion, even in cases of rape, incest and when the woman’s life is in danger
- Has a lifelong membership with the NRA
- Enjoys slaughtering animals for sport and helped Alaska to sue over polar bears being declared endangered because it would “cripple offshore oil and gas development”
- Supported Alaskan legislature that would allow wolves to be hunted from airplanes
- Believes marriage to be solely between one man and one woman
- Free market capitalist
- Part of the Alaskan Independence Party, who would like to secede from the United States
- Chief achievement in any office was 2006 award from the National Arbor Day Foundation
- Currently under investigation by state lawmakers over the dismissal of a public safety commissioner, who allegedly did not fire her ex-brother-in-law, a state trooper who is currently in a custody battle with her younger sister
- Married to a BP oil field production operator
- Claims to be unaware of Wasilla policy on treating rape victims that would charge them up to $1200 to be able to obtain a DNA evidence kit in order to put their attacker to justice
- Lies about Alaska supplying 20% of U.S. energy
- “When asked last month about the vice presidency, she said, “I still can’t answer that question until someone answers for me: What is it exactly that the VP does every day?” When asked about Iraq, she said, “I haven’t really focused much on the war in Iraq.”" [Source]

Palin’s gender has nothing to do with her political background. I thought Obama’s rep was meager until I heard about this woman. She is wholly inexperienced and has never dealt with big issues such as foreign policy. There is no doubt that she will attempt to work with McCain in order to achieve his dream of overturning Roe v. Wade as well as making sure that gay rights are not synonymous with civil rights. She is an animal killer who is married to a fucking oil field producer; think the situation about renewable energy will get any better? She openly admits to not knowing anything about what the VP even does! Have we ever elected a male as president who has done the same?

It is blatantly obvious that she was chosen as a running mate to give McCain one last headliner over Obama as well as attempt to win over Hillary supporters. His choice of Palin was purely positive discrimination. McCain was surrounded by plenty of experienced politicians and yet, he picked the girl just to give his ticket some good ol’ diversity as well. McCain is not progressive or a political “maverick”. His campaign is sexist and just struggling to adapt to the standards that Obama’s nomination has set. Even the National Organization for Women is endorsing Obama!

I am a hardcore feminist but I rue the day that this woman steps foot into the White House.

Other helpful sources:

***Women Against Sarah Palin.org***
FactCheck.org
Attacks, praise stretch truth at GOP convention
Palin’s Biography
Women Against Sarah Palin Blog
Examining Palin’s Record on Violence Against Women
‘Sarah Palin Feminism’? More Like Sarah Palin Sexism
Sarah Palin’s History of Indifference to Sexual Assault

HHS Thinks That Contraception Is Abortion

The draft regulation, prepared by the Bush Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and currently circulating among anti-women officials, redefines abortion as, “any of the various procedures — including the prescription, dispensing and administration of any drug or the performance of any procedure or any other action — that results in the termination of the life of a human being in utero between conception and natural birth, whether before or after implantation.” Taking a page from the extremist right, they are deliberately blurring the lines between contraception and abortion, providing an extraordinarily broad definition of abortion that could be interpreted to cover various forms of birth control, including oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUD’s), and emergency contraception.

This draft regulation requires entities and individuals that receive family planning funding to certify that they will not discriminate against people who object to abortion or to dispensing birth control on the basis of “religious beliefs or moral convictions.” Under the guise of passing anti-discrimination laws to protect health care providers participating in federal programs, the proposed regulation would effectively undermine a health care provider’s ability to offer the very services for which they are funded, as well as a patient’s ability to access those services. All health care providers must be able to appropriately screen and hire individuals capable and willing to perform the core services that they provide.

The regulation puts laws and policies that protect women’s access to birth control in serious jeopardy, including state laws that require hospitals to provide sexual-assault survivors with access to emergency contraception. The draft rule limiting Title X funding will create a direct conflict between Title X (America’s Family Planning Program) and the Maternal Child Health and Medicaid programs, which requires that grantees provide a broad range of contraceptive services and supplies to their patients.

Currently, there are “crisis pregnancy centers” in communities across the country that look like health care centers, but deliver woefully incomplete care and only provide the reproductive health care options that fit their agenda: NO birth control, NO abortion — and NO choice for women and families who need it! If Bush’s proposed regulation takes effect, these “crisis pregnancy centers” are likely to receive a massive influx of our tax dollars.

At a time when 17 million women are in need of publicly-supported reproductive health care services, this regulation disparately impacts the low-income, uninsured and under-insured women who rely on these programs for their health information and services!

Source: NOW – HHS Needs a News Flash: Birth Control is NOT Abortion

[Please visit the above link to let Secretary Mike Leavitt of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services know that you do not aprove of this legislation by commenting his blog and signing the petition!]

Feminism Friday: The Riot Grrrl Online Forum’s Official Home

As most of you know, The Riot Grrrl Online Website has a forum. Nobody seems to be using this forum much. I have decided to officially keep the forum HERE instead. I took a poll on freeforums.org and most people want me to move the forum back to freeforums, so that is what I’m going to do.

If you want to join the forum, it is free and easy to join the forum. Just go to the website and click “register”, if your not already a member. Please start using the forum, if you haven’t been. If you have already been using the forum, continue to do so. Thanks!

Riot Grrrl Online Forum

Blog Survey

I want feedback about this blog, so please answer the following questions in a reply to this post.

1.) What do YOU want to see on this blog? (as in posts)
2.) Are there any changes I should make to this blog?
3.) What do YOU think about this blog?
4.) Any other suggestions for this blog?
5.) Are there certain topics that I should post about more often? If so, What topics should I post about more often?
6.) Are there any posts/topics that YOU would like to see me write about? (I’m not talking about the news posts that I make on this blog. I’m talking about personal opinions, experiences, thoughts, etc.)

I know I already post about alot of different things, but I’m wanting opinions and suggestions. As a blogger and for you, as a reader, it’s important to know your thoughts about this blog, so I can improve this blog.

Changing Hearts And Minds On Gay Marriage

Changing Hearts and Minds on Gay Marriage

This story comes from Alternet.
Young activists are trying to reach out to conservative voters.

A famous Chinese proverb teaches that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

For Meg Sneed, a 25-year-old Arizona lesbian, journeys to change a thousand hearts begin with a single thought: There’s power in sharing personal stories.

In 2006, she and other young activists in Soulforce, a gay-rights group devoted to the kind of peaceful confrontation practiced by Gandhi and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, traveled eight weeks by bus to evangelical colleges to share what it’s like to be gay.

The next year, Sneed, who was fighting cancer, was weak from chemotherapy but walked 60 miles to help raise money for breast cancer research.

Now, with her home state set to vote on banning same-sex couples from marrying, Sneed is back on the move: Starting Aug. 8, she and other young Soulforce activists will walk 96 miles to the state capitol to share touching accounts of how the amendment would hurt real people.

She picked 96 miles for the six-day trek through egg-frying heat because that’s the number of years gay Arizonans haven’t had equal rights. (Arizona became a state in 1912.)

“Walking 96 miles,” Sneed says of her bold adventure, “is nothing compared to a gay or lesbian person being told they can’t see their partner in their dying moments at a hospital because they don’t have full marriage rights.”

Riot Grrrl Online Website: Links Wanted!

As most of you know from my Riot Grrrl Online Website, There aren’t many links on the website under “Links”. That’s where I need YOU!

If you have a website you want me to link to, feminist/riot grrrl related or not, feel free to send me the link to your website, in a reply to this blog or by emailing me. Please let me know what type of link your submitting, example: riot grrrl blog, riot grrrl website, feminist organization, feminist blog, art link, band link, zine link, etc. If your link isn’t feminist/riot grrrl related, I will consider adding it, depending on if it’s a site I visit or think should be linked on RGO. Also, If your an online friend of mine and have your own website/blog, I will definitely add it.

ALL FEMINIST/RIOT GRRRL LINKS WANTED: Also, If you have a collection of feminist/riot grrrl links, please send them over to me. I plan on making the BIGGEST feminist/riotgrrrl links on the internet.

Help me build my links page, by replying to this post or by emailing me. Thanks!

Feminists Unite On Wikipedia Part 2

I’m Grrrlriot on Wikipedia. A couple of months ago, I was very active on editing on Wikipedia. As of the past couple of days, I have went back to being active on Wikipedia. Looking for feminists/riot grrrls or others that edit feminist/riot grrrl articles on Wikipedia? Check out these pages on Wikipedia, that I’ve created: Category:Wikipedians interested in feminism, Portal:Feminism, and Portal:Feminism/Feminism Task Force. The Feminism Task Force did have 8 members a couple of months ago, but since I went back on Wikipedia, It has grown to 12 members! I have been adding and editing the Portal and the Task Force, so please check out those pages. For more information on these pages, just check out the pages.

If your a feminist, supporter of feminism, or interested in feminism, Feel free to add yourself to the Category:Wikipedians interested in feminism on Wikipedia.

Feel free to add to/edit/help out the Portal:Feminism on Wikipedia. Any suggestions and edits to the pages are welcome!

Help us improve the quality of feminism articles on Wikipedia, Join the Feminism Task Force. Anybody with an interest in feminism, feminists/riot grrrls, feminist supporters, or anyone that likes to edit feminism related articles is welcome to join. If you want more information about the task force, please go to the task force page. If you want to join the task force, just sign your Wikipedia name under “Participants”. Thanks!

Iranian Women’s Rights Activist Sentenced to Prison

Iranian Women’s Rights Activist Sentenced to Prison

An Iranian women’s rights activist was sentenced to a five year prison term last week, the maximum penalty for her so-called crime. Hana Abdi was convicted of “gathering and colluding to commit a crime against national security,” according to Payvand Iran News.

Ronak Safarzadeh, another young activist who was working with Abdi, has been charged with “enmity against God,” which could carry the death penalty. Amnesty International released a press report last week expressing the belief that both women are prisoners of conscience, “detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and association.”

“It’s become routine for the Iranian government to use vague security charges to detain and intimidate peaceful activists,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, according to a statement. “Now, they’re going further by handing down outrageous sentences.”

Both Abdi and Safarzadeh are members of Campaign for Equality, a group working to end legal discrimination against women in Iran. This group has come under increased media attention recently after nine members were arrested two weeks ago during a demonstration to commemorate Iran’s national day of solidarity.

Media Resources: Payvand Iran News 6/21/2008; Feminist Daily Newswire 6/17/2008; Amnesty International 6/20/2008; Human Rights Watch

This story was taken from the Feminist Majority Foundation.

Iranian Activists Arrested After Peaceful Gathering

Iranian Activists Arrested After Peaceful Gathering

Nine Iranian women activists were arrested last week on Iran’s national day of solidarity with women. The activists were attempting to take part in a peaceful demonstration the Rahe Abrisham Gallery last week, the Women’s Learning Partnership (WLP) reports.

According to Amnesty International, the activists were part of a group called the Campaign for Equality, which had organized the demonstration to commemorate Iran’s national day of solidarity. Security forces prevented it from taking place by closing down the gallery.

The Campaign for Equality is fighting to eliminate discrimination against women, and is sponsoring the One Million Signatures campaign. Amir Yaghoub-Ali was arrested and sentenced to a one-year prison term earlier this month for circulating this petition.

Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML) reports that the activists were released around 1 a.m. later that night, but it is not known whether there will be charge against them.

Media Resources: Amnesty International 6/16/2008, WLP 6/12/2008, WLUML 6/13/2008, Feminist Majority Foundation 6/3/2008

This story was taken from the Feminist Majority Foundation.

Canada: Imprisoned HIV/AIDS Activist Wins 2008 Rights Award

Canada: Imprisoned HIV/AIDS Activist Wins 2008 Rights Award

(Ottawa, June 16, 2008) – A federal prisoner and health activist is the recipient of the 2008 Canadian Award for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Human Rights Watch announced today. The award, which recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that protect the rights and dignity of people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS, will be presented at a public reception and ceremony in Ottawa on June 16.

As a peer health counsellor, Peter Collins has been conducting HIV-prevention education behind bars since the late 1980s. His efforts have also included providing support to prisoners living with HIV and hepatitis C, and advocating for better health care and HIV prevention services – including harm-reduction measures – in prisons. Collins is currently serving his sentence at Bath Institution, a medium-security federal prison near Kingston, Ontario that houses more than 300 male prisoners.

“Today’s award not only recognizes one person’s efforts to make a difference in stopping this epidemic, but also highlights how much still needs to be done to ensure prisoners’ basic human right to protect themselves against HIV and hepatitis C,” said Richard Elliott, executive director of the Legal Network. “One immediate priority is to reinstate the safer tattooing program; another is for Canadian prisons finally to implement needle-exchange programs.”

Prisoners throughout Canada still have no access to clean needles. Studies in Canada and elsewhere report much higher levels of HIV and hepatitis C infection among prisoners than among the population as a whole, and that sharing of equipment, including makeshift tools to inject drugs, is common in prisons. The World Health Organization and the Ontario and Canadian Medical Associations, among others, have recommended that needle-exchange programs be implemented in prison settings. The Public Health Agency of Canada recently reviewed the evidence for Correctional Services Canada (CSC) and concluded such programs make sense as a public health measure.

This story can be found here.

Feminism Friday: Interested In A Feminism Forum?

Since this is a feminism blog, I thought I’d post it. I posted this in my _feminism Livejournal Commmunity.

What does everyone think of the idea of having a feminism forum? The forum would be about feminism, the many different types of feminism, will be for discussion of ALL types of feminism, discussion of women’s rights, discussion of women’s studies, etc. Yes, I am very aware that livejournal, myspace, last.fm, etc. have groups or coumminities as forums for feminism, however, there are more people interested in feminism out there that are not on those websites. If I get enough heads up for the idea, I will make the forum. If I don’t get many replies to this post, then I will NOT make the forum.

I am thinking of using proboards or invisionfree for the forum provider. If anyone is interested in helping me out with the forum: layout, ideas, or being a moderator on the forum, Please let me know by replying to this post. Also, The forum will be discussed by email, so if you really want to help out or be a moderator, please leave your email address in a reply to this post OR you can email me here: grrrlsvomitcandy at hotmail dot com Thanks!

Activist For Women’s Rights Sentenced In Iran

The story below came from here.

Activist for Women’s Rights Sentenced in Iran

6/3/2008 – Iran’s Revolutionary Court sentenced Amir Yaghoub-Ali, a 22 year old student, to a one year prison term this week. Ali was convicted for petitioning for the One Million Signatures Campaign for women’s rights, according to the Associated Press.

The One Million Signatures Campaign is part of Change for Equality’s program for revising Iranian law to eliminate discrimination against women. Ali’s lawyer, Nasrin Sotoodeh, stated that Ali was found guilty “of actions against national security through the spreading of propaganda against the state,” according a Change for Equality press release. Sotoodeh plans to appeal the ruling.

Reuters reports that Iran has arrested dozens of activists associated with this campaign, which was launched in 2006. A leader of the One Million Signatures Campaign told the Associated Press that “This is a policy of intimidation by the authorities.”

Media Resources: Reuters 6/2/08, AP 6/2/08, Al Arabiya 6/2/08. Change for Equality 6/2/08

U.K. Anti-Choice Activism Embraces U.S. Tactics

U.K. Anti-Choice Activism Embraces U.S. Tactics
Run Date: 06/01/08
By Laura J. Winter
WeNews correspondent

A loss by Britain’s Labour Party earlier this month is emboldening anti-choice activists to study their U.S. counterparts’ playbook in earnest. They hope to make abortion a major issue in the next general election.

LONDON (WOMENSENEWS)–Less than 48 hours after Labour’s parliamentary majority voted May 20 to reject amendments that would have reduced the 24-week time limit for a woman to receive an abortion in Britain, the party suffered a stunning political defeat by losing a seat in their majority.

Following the political playbook of U.S. counterparts, anti-choice activists took it as a sign they could ratchet up the relatively low-key issue of abortion in the next general election, which must be called sometime in the next two years.

This story was taken from Women’s eNews and you can read more of this story here.

Taking It Global

Taking It Global is a social networking website. It is aimed at youth, but adults are also on the website. (such as myself) Taking It Global is an international non-profit organization located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In alot of ways, It is like Care2, but it has more members than Care2.

I have a profile on there as grrrlriot. Feel free to add me on TakingItGlobal.

Here is some information about the website, taken from takingitglobal.org.

We’re an international non-profit organization headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, yet we connect youth around the world. TakingITGlobal provides a portal for young people to find inspiration, access information and get involved in improving their local and global communities.

Inspire
Young people have the energy, the desire and the skills to make a difference in the world. All that’s needed is a way of connecting with one another. TakingITGlobal’s position at the intersection of key global trends enables us to support young people in acting as a force for change today and into the future. Our Vision is of a world where young people are more engaged in their communities on local, national, and international levels. We provide the tools and the space for young people around the world to be heard. And those voices will, in turn, inspire more to speak.

Inform
Our world is increasingly global and interconnected. Many threats face our common humanity, such as global poverty, war and conflict, HIV/AIDS, and environmental degradation. TakingITGlobal provides access to the information required to understand and act on global issues. Our mission is to provide opportunities for learning, capacity-building, cross-cultural awareness and self-development through the use of Information and Communication Technologies. Because once you have the information, you can share it.

Involve
Young people are most powerful as co-owners in our own development process. That’s why TakingITGlobal is focused on encouraging involvement. By leveraging the power of social networks and digital media, we’ve created a tool for learning, collaboration, dialogue and action that is completely interactive.

Our flagship program, TakingITGlobal.org, has become the most popular online community for young people interested in connecting across cultures and making a difference. Hundreds of thousands of people visit the site each month to share their unique knowledge, perspectives and experiences.

Feminism Friday: I’m Sorry No I’m Not

This article was taken from my Riot Grrrl Online website.

I’m Sorry….No I’m Not

I’m sorry I don’t believe it.
I’m sorry that I care.
no i’m not.
I’m not sorry that i still believe we are capable of creating something. that i don’t think punk is just a big joke and that we should be little and make fun of ourselves for still believing that everything we do makes a difference
i don’t care that it’s no longer punk to have fun anymore. that it’s no longer punk to criticize the society we live in.
so
what if i keep talking about abolishing wage-slavery while i keep working. it fucking beats the hell out of writing songs or zines about how we are all hypocrites and all our actions are worthless.
we are all hypocritical superwimps (?). we are never (?)
SO IF YOU’RE BEING ALL PUNK AS FUCK AND TALKING SHIT ABOUT PEOPLE AT LEAST TRY TO DO SOMETHING THAN I’M (NOT) SORRY BUT I GUESS THAT MEANS I’M NOT PUNK ANYMORE AND IF THAT’S WHAT PUNK IS I’M FUCKIN GLAD I’M NOT AS PUNK AS YOU
[Kathleen]
I am a fucking idiot. I still think we can change the world.

About Riot Grrrl/What Is Riot Grrrl?

This was taken from my Riot Grrrl Online website. Here is some information on riot grrrl.

Here is some information and history of the riot grrrl movement and philosophy.

HISTORY OF RIOT GRRRL: Here is some history of riot grrrl. Riot Grrrl began in 1991 at Olympia Washington, when a few girls (mostly from Bikini Kill and Bratmobile) decided to get together and talk about their main interests..feminism
and punk rock. The first time they met it was all fun, they put up posters to get attention of other open minded girls. Then they found out they had other things in common: they were all vegetarians; against drugs; and had been molested as children. At one meeting a very smart
girl took notes, photocopied them and turned them into a cool fanzine. That’s how it all began. Some people think that Bikini Kill started it all, in my eyes they did. Bikini Kill, however does not think of themselves as starting the riot grrrl movement. In Bikini Kill’s songs, they sing about different women issues such as: rape, incest, and other issues that some women face. Some people think that bikini kill, riot grrrls, and feminists are ‘man-haters’. They’re not. They just want to be equal to men, not better to them. Zines are a BIG part of the riot grrrl scene. Most riot grrrls believe in DIY. (do it yourself) That means that they start riot grrrl chapters, zines, etc. of their own around the riot grrrl movement.

Wikipedia’s Definiton Of Riot Grrrl: Riot grrrl (or riot grrl) is a form of hardcore punk rock music, known for its feminist stance. The genre first appeared in the early 1990s as an offshoot of alternative rock and punk music and as a response to prevalent attitudes of punk machismo, building also on a history of all-women bands. A key factor in this movement was the support for girls not needing to be musically trained to start a band. The term more generally referred to the band members and followers of a wider movement with a DIY empowerment ethic, characterized by the Oxford
English Dictionary as "feminist resistance to male domination in society and especially to the abuse and harassment of women." Riot grrrl lyrics often address issues such as rape, domestic abuse, sexuality and female empowerment. As summarized by The Guardian in its April 15, 1995 supplement: "When the Riot Grrl movement began in America in 1991, its intention was to redress the balance of power via the punk rock underground using slogans (words like ‘rape’ and ‘slut’ written in black marker pens on exposed stomachs or bare arms), fanzines, meeting s and women-only shows." The group Bikini Kill is
widely considered one of the prime instigators of the movement. With the rallying cry, "Revolution Girl Style Now!" they and other bands like Bratmobile and Heavens to Betsy created a mini-movement to combat what they saw as the male-dominance of the punk scene and, by extension, the rest of the world. Riot grrl musicians mostly shunned
the major record labels, signing instead with indie labels like Kill Rock Stars.

You can also read more about riot grrrl on Wikipedia.

Urban Dictionary’s Definition Of Riot Grrrl: There is no right or wrong definition to riot grrrl. Everyone has their own definition of riot grrrl. Urban Dictionary defines ‘riot grrrl’ in 4 possible ways.

1.) Riot Grrrl: Movement/organization of empowered womyn (and occassionally men) dedicated to expressing radical, grassroots feminism through art and activism. Spotlighted in the media around the time the punk band Bikini Kill was at the height of their powers.

2.) Riot Grrrl: Radical ‘women orientated’ music scene from the early 90′s. Bands attached were Huggy Bear, Bikini Kill and Voodoo Dolls.

3.) Riot Grrrl: a feminist, who can rock out, have fun, and doesn’t give a shit what any one else says.

4.) Riot Grrrl: A grassroots third wave feminist movement deeply connected to the punk rock scene in the early and mid 1990’s. Mostly youth
oriented, riot grrrl was neither an organization or a specific thought, but instead thrived on non hierarchal “chapters” set up across America and parts of Europe connecting mostly young women with music, a thriving zine scene, and direct political action. There is no one
specific example of riot grrrl, in fact the best example is contrasting different people who associated themselves with the movement.

I would never give out a set definition though because that would automatically exclude another grrrl.

What Riot Grrrl Means To Me: Grrrl love, respect, feminism, and equality are the main aspects of what a riot grrrl is to me. Riot grrrls want to be heard. They want to speak out against various issues in today’s society. Riot grrrl is not ‘man-hating’. It is a movement for grrrls that want to be equal to men. Riot grrrls want to make a stand. Riot grrrl is being a nonconformist and not meeting society’s standards. Riot grrrls want to make a change. Males can even be riot grrrls, but sometimes call themselves ‘riot
boys’ or ‘riot guys’, even though gender doesn’t matter. To be a riot grrrl, You don’t have to listen to riot grrrl bands, You just have to believe in the riot grrrl philosophy. You can be male or female to believe in the movement. Riot grrrl doesn’t discriminate. To be a riot
grrrl, You have to believe in the riot grrrl philosophy. I know there are people that say the movement isn’t around anymore, but I think it is coming back. There are people that still believe in riot grrrl today. There are ex-riot grrrls around as well that used to be into the
movement, but they no longer consider themselves a riot grrrl anymore or they think the movement died. Can you be a riot grrrl? Sure, You just have to believe in the philosophy and what its all about. You can even start up your own riot grrrl chapter in your area/town/country/state to get the word out about riot grrrl and to meet other riot grrrls.

Riot grrrls are a loosely set up network of underground feminists and music fans, of all ages, all over the country. It’s about GRRRL power: women getting together to help and encourage each other, getting rid of sexist stereotypes of what girls are supposed to be… quiet, soft, sweet, innocent, helpless, etc. Not all riot grrrls are girls, some are
riot boys and believe strongly in the riot grrrl movement. Grrrls can be found anywhere from honor roll kids to downtown club kids. We are not all punk, all white, all lesbians, all musicans, all zine writers/editors, all vegetarians, all victims of abuse, or all straight edge. True riot grrrls don’t discriminate.

Riot grrrl is any woman who believes that they should be treated equally in all ways. Riot grrrls believe they shouldn’t be treated as ‘sex objects’ but as human beings. Riot grrrls want to have the same rights as men, but not be treated like they can’t do anything. Women aren’t here to look pretty. Most guys think women are weak, stupid, etc. but we are not! We are sick of guys running things in the world. It would be nice if a woman was running things for once. The world is male-dominated. It would be nice if it was equal…male and female dominated. Guys have
their stereotypes of women and their stereotypes are wrong. Some men will call a woman ‘his bitch’. We are NOT bitches. We are not slaves either. We don’t like it when guys call us names like, "bitch", "whore", "dyke", etc. The list could go on. The point is we are all women and we NEED equality. We are sick of men telling us how to act, how to be, etc. Most but not all men stereotype women too much. Some men think that their dicks make them powerful or in control. It’s not what’s in between your legs that counts, but what’s in your mind and in your heart.

Another definition would be this: To me and other grrls it means equality. No man is better than a woman and vice versa. Riot grrrl is about choice and it should embrace everyone, because individuality is one of the most special things that one can have, and everybody has it and needs to use it. It is a sisterhood, as long as we dont forget that we are all different and not to overlook that because that it what makes each of us beautiful. Riot grrrl is a punk feminist movement. It can only exsist in the punk and underground music scene. Riot grrrl probably couldn’t have happened in any other time period, except for the first punk revolution in the 70′s. Riot grrrl
incorporates feminist ideals and uses them to de-gender the punk scene. Punk rock is not just for boys anymore. In a scene based on progression, resistance and rebellion, grrrls look around and find that they are still treated like secondary citizens. Most (but not all) guys look at girls as sexual conquests, entertainment, or attendents to hold their bookbags while they dance. Everyone becomes a hypocrite, preaching anti-sexist ideals, all the while practicing what they were brought up to do: treat girls like they would treat their mommies or even like wives- like property. Look between your legs, us grrrls will never ever hold a place in the brotherhood. This is why riot grrrl originated in the first place. Over half the worlds population is made up of women. White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, rich, poor, straight, gay, bisexual, disabled, all female, we are all women. We have become a silent majority. Stand up and fight!!!! Riot! Riot loudly, riot quietly. Just riot!!!!!! Society has put a gag in our mouths; rip it out and fucking riot!

44 Writings I Need For This Blog

I am in need of some articles and writings for this blog. I will add to this list as I see fit. The ones listed below are ideas for articles and writings and are some writings/articles I need for the blog. By writing the article (or articles), You will be emailed an invite to join this blog and will be able to post up your writing on the blog. Be sure to let others know that you wrote the article (or articles).

ARTICLES AND WRITINGS NEEDED:

1-History of riot grrrl: how, why, where, when, and who started it. (about the music and the movement)
2-History of feminism: how, why, where, when, and who started it.
3-The 3 waves of feminism.
4-The many different types of feminism such as: anarcha-feminism, individual feminism, radical feminism, and all the others.
5-Write about your favorite feminism/riot grrrl website or write a review of your favorite feminism/riot grrrl website. (can be blogs, websites, forums, etc.)
6-Write your own definition of what feminism means to you.
7-What does riot grrrl mean to you? (Write as much or as little as you want.) Describe riot grrrl in your own words.
8-Write about being a riot grrrl in another country. What’s the riot grrrl scene like where you live? Is there a chapter where you live? Any riot grrrl bands where you live? How did you get into riot grrrl? How long have you been into riot grrrl?
9-Write about how you got into riot grrrl. What, how, when, who, and where made you get into riot grrrl?
10-Write about being a riot boy: how, when, who, what, and where did you get into riot grrrl?
11-Write your own riot boy manifesto. (I already have a version on my website.)
12-Write about being a male feminist: how, when, who, what, and where did you get into riot grrrl?
13-Write some feminism questions that you would like answered or start a feminism FAQ (frequently asked questions) of your own and the answers to them.
14-Write some riot grrrl/boy questions that you would like answered or start a riot grrrl FAQ (frequently asked questions) of your own and the answers to them.
15-Write about women’s issues important to you.
16-Write about feminism and what it means to you.
17-Write how you got into feminism and why.
18-Make a list of reasons on why your a feminist. Try to think of 50 or more reasons, if you can. 10-20 reasons will do too.
19-Make a list of reasons on why your a riot grrrl. Try to think of 50 or more reasons, if you can. 10-20 reasons will do too.
20-Write some DIY tips or share yours. Share your own DIY stuff.
21-Write something about being an activist/ or about activism.
22-Write something about zines or your life as a zinester.
23-Write about your ladyfest or a ladyfest you attended.
24-Write about a riot grrrl chapter or your own riot grrrl chapter.
25-Write about being pro-choice, why your pro-choice, or what it means to you.
26-Write something about how riot grrrl and queercore music are connected.
27-Write something about how riot grrrl and grunge music are connected.
28-Write something about how riot grrrl and punk music are connected.
29-Write something about feminism in other countries. What’s feminism like in your country or other countries?
30-Write something about human rights in your country or another country.
31-Write something about equal rights.
32-Write about why is feminism important today.
33-Write your own definition of what a riot boy is to you. Give your own definition of riot boy.
34-Write your own Zine DIY guide.
35-Write how to start a riot grrrl chapter DIY guide.
36-Write your own list of ways to be an activist.
37-Write a review of a zine or your favorite zine.
38-Write about your experience with the Riot Grrrl Online website.
39-Write about the Riot Grrrl Online website or do a review of the website. If you write about the website, write how you found the website, how you got active in the website and why. I’m sure there are more things you can write about the website, as long as your a reader or fan of the website, your input is appreciated.
40-A review of your riot grrrl or feminist website.
41-Write a news story. Write about an issue or topic important to you or an issue/topic you think would be important to others that is happening in the news.
42-Write your own women’s issue story. If you are a survivor (of anything from rape to cancer, etc.), I’d like to hear your story and what you went through.
43-Write how to start a ladyfest.
44-Write how to start your own record label and/or band.

If your interested in writing one of these articles, Feel free to read the “contribute” page and reply to the “contribute” page or email me. If you comment on the “contribute” page or email me, Please specify which article (or articles) you want to write about by letting me know which number or numbers (# or #’s) your interested in writing. If you have your own ideas for writings or whatever, feel free to email me some of yours.

*This is also posted on the “Ideas” page.

The Story Behind The Riot Grrrl Online Website And How I Got Into Riot Grrrl

A Quick Riot Grrrl Online Website Update: I know I do not use this blog for updates on the Riot Grrrl Online website, but the website is finally working after months of not working properly and being offline. I didn’t think it would ever be back to normal. The Riot Grrrl Online website is back up and running…FINALLY! After a few months of being offline/not working properly, The website is finally running properly. Check it out, register, or login to the website, It’s back to normal now.

The article below was written by Greta (Grrrlriot) also known as me.

The Story Behind The Riot Grrrl Online Website And How I Got Into Riot Grrrl

I became interested in riot grrrl and feminism in 1997. It all started when I found out through the internet about feminism and riot grrrl. I also heard a little bit on MTV back then about the movement. (I used to watch MTV, but not anymore.) I also heard about it by doing some research on the band “Hole”. I had already started listening to hole and nirvana, since 1994, through MTV. I done some research on Nirvana as well. I started hearing about Bikini Kill and Kathleen Hanna. I also started hearing about Tobi Vail and her past relationship to Kurt Cobain. I began listening to bikini kill and I liked their sound. The first bikini kill song I heard was “Rebel Girl”. I started going to a bunch of riot grrrl/feminist sites. I wanted to find more riot grrrl bands to listen to. That’s when I found out about Bratmobile and other Kill Rock Stars records musical artists. Most of those riot grrrl/feminist websites are not around anymore, but some of them can be found with Archive.org.

In 2000, I realized a shortage of riot grrrl sites and most of the sites I enjoyed were gone. I guess a lot of people figured when the riot grrrl bands broke up that riot grrrl was gone. I guess some people thought that the riot grrrl movement died. I read and researched more about riot grrrl through Yahoo! Yahoo had a lot of “grrrl” websites in their directory and I researched riot grrrl through Yahoo as well. I don’t believe in labels, but I really believed in the riot grrrl movement. After the riot grrrl websites had died, I realized that I still believed in the philosophy of riot grrrl and feminism. In 2001, I decided I should make a riot grrrl website. I wanted to make a riot grrrl resource and information site, with a little bit about feminism. I wanted a website where I could add lots of pages and have an active website. I didn’t care if anyone liked my website or not, but it was something I wanted to do for myself and for fun. In a way, I wanted to connect other riot grrrls (and riot boys, feminists, and male feminists) to each other by making the website and that’s when I decided to start ‘Riot Grrrl Online’. I hoped that there were still people out there that felt the same way I did about riot grrrl.

The website was made in 2001 at angelfire. My online friend Shawnee (aka Deshawn) from Pennsylvania, USA made the purple layout and helped me out with the website. (I still keep in touch with him.) He knew how to make layouts, but I did not know how to make them. When the website was on angelfire, I had other pages, but I deleted a few of those pages. I had a “female icons” page, a “I made the website as a start to revive riot grrrl. The website can still be viewed on angelfire because I never deleted it from angelfire. The website is located here.

In 2004, I got hosted on girlsvomitcandy.com, by Jilly that lives in the United Kingdom. (UK) The girlsvomitcandy.com site died. (which I knew it was going to) Jilly told me she was getting rid of the domain, but that she’d email me when my site left from there. (which she never did) The website is on archive.org now and can be found here. The website started on angelfire, then moved to girlsvomitcandy.com, and is currently on hot-topic.org.

In 2005, I got hosted on hot-topic.org. I met Nam that lives in the United Kingdom. He seemed to know a lot about websites and computers. He started using siteman CMS for my website. He runs hot-topic.org. I met him through his now defunct Le Tigre forum on hot-topic.org. He noticed that I was in a dilemma from girlsvomitcandy.com and decided to host me. He also wanted to do something for me since I was active on his Le Tigre forum and helped spread the word about his Le Tigre forum. That’s how I wound up here on hot-topic.org, not to be mistaken for the clothing company, Hot Topic. hot-topic.org was named after the Le Tigre song “Hot Topic”. Nam helps me out with my website if it acts up, goes offline, has errors, or if I have an idea for the website. He answers my questions and gives me ideas. Nam is always there for me and for that I really appreciate him. I have him to thank for my website and for hosting me. He’s a great host. Nam is a great person and he is very much appreciated. I admire his kindness and helpfulness. Here is how the site looked when it first moved to hot-topic.org in December 2005. Here is how the site looked in July 2006. Here is how the site looked in October 2006 with the siteman version. As you can see, The main siteman website has been hacked. The siteman version of my website was hacked twice in 2007 and was an annoyance. That’s why I decided not to use siteman anymore. In December 2007, I started using Drupal instead of siteman. Drupal has lots more features than siteman. The Riot Grrrl Online Forum is now part of the website and part of the interactive features on the NEW Riot Grrrl Online website. It is part of the Drupal CMS (content management system).

I found out that alot of people were viewing my Riot Grrrl Online website and that they liked it. I realized that I had fans and people that linked to the website. I got lots of members on the siteman version and now I am still getting more members with Drupal. In 2005, I wanted to do more riot grrrl reviving. I wanted to meet more riot grrrls and people that felt the same way I did. So, I decided to make the Riot Grrrl Online Message Board in November 2005 on proboards as part of the ‘Riot Grrrl Online’ site. In 2007, I decided I wanted more features on the proboards message board. So, I made a new Riot Grrrl Online forum on freeforums.org. In April 2008, The freeforums Riot Grrrl Online forum was hacked, but it is working fine now. The freeforums forum isn’t as active as it was because the website is now using Drupal.

In Februrary 2008, I decided to create a Riot Grrrl Online social network on ning. The website was down at the time, so I decided to create a social network for people that still wanted to participate in the Riot Grrrl Online website and forums. In March 2008, I decided to create a Riot Grrrl Online blog on wordpress. The website was still down and I decided to create a blog specifically about feminism and riot grrrl. The blog doesn’t have updates about the website posted on it, but it does have articles, news, and other stuff on the blog.

What Riot Grrrl Means To Me

The following was written by Greta/grrrlriot. (me) Do not copy without permission.

What Riot Grrrl Means To Me…What Does It Mean To You?

There are no right or wrong definitions of riot grrrl, in fact, everyone has their own definition of what a riot grrrl is. Here goes my definiton of what riot grrrl is and what it means to me.

Riot grrrl doesn’t ‘man-hate’.
Riot grrrl doesn’t discriminate against age, race, sex, or sexual preference.
Riot grrrl is a movement for girls that want to be equal to men and want equal rights for everyone.
Riot grrrl is being a nonconformist and not meeting society’s standards.
Riot grrrl is DIY. (doing it yourself)
Riot grrrl is about making zines, websites, blogs, and being active online.
Riot grrrl is all about not fitting into a mold.
Riot grrrl is all about rebelling against society.
Riot grrrl is about being yourself, being unique, being different, and loving yourself.
Riot grrrl is about your rights as a human being.
Riot grrrls want to be seen and heard.
Riot grrrls want to speak out against various issues in today’s society, including women’s issues.
Riot grrrls want to smash patriarchy.
Riot grrrls want to make a stand and want to make a difference.
Riot grrrls want to be globally aware of issues affecting the world.
Riot grrrls want freedom to be themselves without being judged.
Riot grrrls believe in grrrl love, respect, feminism, and equality.
Riot grrrls believe in women’s rights.
Riot grrrls believe in feminism and human rights.
Riot grrrls believe that women should have rights in ALL countries.
Riot grrrls are activists and want to change the world.

Grrrl love, respect, feminism, and equality are the main aspects of what a riot grrrl is to me. You can be male or female to believe in the movement. Males can be riot grrrls, but sometimes call themselves ‘riot boys’ or ‘riot guys’, even though gender doesn’t matter.
To be a riot grrrl, You don’t have to listen to riot grrrl bands, even though it helps to understand the riot grrrl movement better. You just have to believe in the riot grrrl philosophy.
Riot grrrl doesn’t discriminate. To be a riot grrrl, You have to believe in the riot grrrl manifesto.
I know there are people that say the movement isn’t around anymore, but I think it is coming back. I want a riot grrrl revival. There are people that still believe in riot grrrl today. There are ex-riot grrrls around as well that used to be into the movement, but they no longer consider themselves a riot grrrl anymore or they think the movement died.
Can you be a riot grrrl? Sure, You just have to believe in the philosophy and what its all about. You can even start up your own riot grrrl chapter in your area/town/country/state to get the word out about riot grrrl and to meet other riot grrrls.
DIY, meetings, zines, and music are a big part of the riot grrrl movement.