FEMISH Magazine April 2023

FOUNDER OF THE FEMISH ORGANIZATION, Samantha Martin

A Letter From The Founder

Welcome!

Thank you for checking out our e-magazine! I cannot believe how much this magazine has grown just from its first issue. Thank you all for the love and support. Your willingness and passion to contribute to this type of advocacy and community, and read our issues, makes this possible.

FEMISH has so much to share, from research, organizational updates, personal experiences, and more We want to bring it to you in a fun and interactive way

FEMISH is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, currently running on volunteer fuel If you would like to assist with the creation of this monthly magazine, we are looking for editors, writers, marketing, you name it!

Have a story to share? Found a relevant news article we should talk about? Know someone we should interview? Let us know by reaching out to info@femish org and check out our Contributor Form linked on the last page

Don’t forget to subscribe to our website and follow our social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok

Thank you for all your support! Together we can create a welcoming and inclusive world

Our next issue will be out in June and of course, will be our Pride Issue! See you then!

MUA Suzanne Sabat Take Care Photos

Jacob Taylor

Jacob is a make-up artist with amazing imaginative abilities He lives in the suburbs of Chicago creatively expressing his way through life.

Heather Stark

Heather Stark is a writer, business owner, public speaker and podcast host, owner of Grace & Grit, and author fo Her Story She has received multiple awards, including the 2018 Girls Scouts Women of Distinction Award Stark lives on North Padre Island with her family and two energetic dogs.

Sadie Dunning

FEMISH intern Interested in digital design and illustration She is also a intersectional and queer educator

Silvia Young

SSilvia Young (she/her) is a writer, legislation organizer, and nonprofit founder and president of FemTruth Youth 501(c)3 based in California Good Girl, Bad Period is her fourth book under FemTruthTM, she also wrote Gaslit, a 3-Act Play

Samantha Martin

Founder of The FEMISH Organization and attorney who was fed up with gender bias and discrimination She stumbled upon the term "femmephobia" and saw the need for this loop-hole in society to be closed

P O E T R Y M O N T H

April is officially National Poetry Month. Celebrate by appreciating some of the poetry found in this month's issue.

by Jane Pea

Erasure Poems for the Queer Community, by SK. These poems were created by taking hate comments and using their words to create love.

Want to know more about SK & their transformational poems?

Jump to page 14 to read an interview with them and check out their book of Erasure Poems.

FEMISHBookClub

Knowledgeispower!Hereareoursuggestionsandbook clubrecommendationstofuelyourpassionforequality.

HoodFeminismbyMikki

Kendall:Alookathowsome feministmovementsforgotthe intersectionalissueofrace,and discusshowthishasimpacted womenofcolor.

FeminismisforEverybody,byBell Hooks:Agreatplacetostartasit goesthroughthehistoryandtrue meaningoffeminismandhow somepeoplewereleftbehind.

FeministsDon'tWearPink,&Other LiesbyScarlettCurtis:acollection ofessaysfromexplainingwhat feminismmeanstothemandtheir journeywiththemovements.

FortheLoveofMenbyLizPlank: Focusedonthoseassignedmaleat birth,thisbooktakesalookathow societyinfluencesandmanipulates boysinawaythatisdetrimentalto themselvesandsociety.

Books are linked to Amazon for convenience and research, however, we encourage purchasing from your local book stores

THE UNDESIRABLES

BY HEATHER STARK

I've been thinking a lot about personal revolutions and revelations. Those moments I awaken to a truth so profound that I have no choice but to let go of draconian beliefs and set myself free. I have wrestled with beauty culture for decades, a battle many who identify as women unknowingly enter My personal truth: the most revolutionary thing I can do is embody my authentic self by defying society's beauty expectations Whether it is with or without makeup, it is a woman's birthright to define beauty on her or their own terms

The evolution of makeup from Victorian vulgarity to 1980s housewife proper is a revealing historical read Doing so exposes the antiquated beliefs that still cling to us in 2023 The lack of conversation around the origins of beauty culture protects the idea that all women must fit into specific standards. Whereas giving words to oppressive practices oxidizes the cages of expectations. We are breaking free, but not all of us feel secure enough in our own beauty to befree And there is a good reason for it

The ways in which society doled out its beauty expectations that earnest women swallowed is a study of how shame manipulates the psyche. The only commodity our foremothers had was their bodies. What other choice did they have but to acquiesce? A patriarchal culture must ensure its hierarchy of unbalanced power by inventing ways for others to stay powerless This was accomplished by the policing of womanly beauty They conjured up ways for women to occupy their time with unrealistic beauty goals Herding them into believing their power lay in their appearance whilst telling them they lacked allure Women ran in perpetual circles, too busy to challenge man's illusion of control

The swiftness with which Beauty Culture took over the lives of our foremothers is stunning. A quick and accurate cut that went unnoticed until the bleeding of shame was already upon them. Strict expectations came in the form of defunct values passed down in advertisements, books, and pamphlets reminding women of their roles to be man's chosen ones

They melted her with searing humiliation until her self-worth was in small malleable pieces, ready to be manipulated Marriage and family is the reward for pretty girls who meet expectations Making those who dared to hold onto original thought The Spinsters, The Undesirables

Those malleable pieces of self-worth were creased in places not meant to be folded The edges rolled over, forced, and compressed into a shape that no longer resembled a woman's authentic self but, rather, a self now owned by man-led culture. This is evidenced by the manufactured shading around the eye, darkening of lashes, cheeks in peach and pink, and lips a shade of soft plum that won't smear when kissed Only after these faces are covered, pressed, blended, contoured, and glistening at all the right angles were they fit in enough for presentation

"Whether it is with or without makeup, it is a woman's birthright to define beauty on her or their own terms"

It goes deeper than peach and pink expectations Makeup is the manifestation of how culture requires women to fit in The cheeky rogue, and a dewy complexion, signify a pleasant, youthful, and energetic compliance. She is content with her role, silent in her struggles, and at peace with her place behind him. Culture understands the risk that comes with her unmasking. A woman who believes in authenticity topples fragile structures Truth leaks, foundations break, and cages crumble New ways of keeping her makeup-ed and silent were employed Patriarchal constructs are quite slithery, tricking women into becoming the policy enforcers of their own sex Gossip is the weapon used to police the faces and bodies of their own kind

But as the generations roll through time, we find words to condemn the shame that made fitting in desirable As a result, those undesirable women are suddenly the story's heroes But there needs to be more of us willing to step into our own definitions of beauty. We still feel moments of doubt when we are without the armor of makeup. We worry the absence of rosy pink cheeks signifies a lack of energy We want others to notice our long black lashes with a slight curl at the end We grab the tinted gloss "just for a little color "

While there is no shame in applying these modes of beauty enhancement, there is curiosity about the inadequacy we feel when going without Is this dearth the lingering effects of patriarchal beauty control?

Encouraging those who identify as girls and women to embrace beauty on their own terms is the revolution I am here to fight Inclusivity in beauty embraces all. It's the personal revelation that awaits us all. It is the stepping stone leading to our most stunning authentic self, the hero of our stories. The Undesirables win in the end.

Heather Stark is a writer, business owner, public speaker and podcast host Her girl empowerment company, Grace & Grit, helps girls discover their worth and potential through the stories of historical women She is the author of Her Story: A Hilarious and Heartfelt Conversation About Why Beauty Milestones Should Be Options And Not Expectations Her podcast, Stark Conversations, explores feminist topics, highlighting the need for advocacy and social equity She holds a Masters of Education in School Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Stark speaks about best practices when raising those who identify as girls and the shame that develops when society expects them to meet unrealistic beauty standards. She has received multiple awards, including the 2018 Girls Scouts

Women of Distinction Award Stark lives on North Padre Island with her family and two energetic dogs

"Encouraging those who identify as girls and women to embrace beauty on their own terms is the revolution I am here to fight. Inclusivity in beauty embraces all."

MAKE-UP IS FOR ANYONE

AN INTERVIEW WITH JACOB TAYLOR

When did you start becoming interested in makeup?

I started becoming interested in makeup at around 2018 so 14 going on 15 Right before high school began and when I really started exploring who I am and what do I like as a person!

How did experimenting with make-up make you feel?

At first it made me feel kinda nervous because the stereotype makeup has on our society today. So I would put it on in my room and just experiment with this one cheap Amazon eyeshadow pallet I got Honestly it would make me feel more creative and unlocking a new side of artisty I didn’t know I had

What were the negative and positive reactions you received from wearing makeup?

The negative reactions would probably feeling othered in a way from society, because as a teenage boy that is feminine presented in highschool in the late 2010’s and even now 5 years later can still be dangerous and scary when it comes to hateful kids and adults One of my positives would be that I am able to express and show off my creative work to different people and also be able to recreate that on different people and make them feel something when they look at themselves and let their imagination run wild!

"There have been in the past...people thinking I wanted to be transgender. But the thing is right there again, thinking I want to become a woman just because I wear makeup and assuming that makeup is only for women."

Are any assumptions made of you for doing make-up/wearing make-up?

There have been in the past people thinking I wanted to be transgender. But the thing is right there again, thinking I want to become a woman just because I wear makeup and assuming that makeup is only for women Which just because you wear a certain garment or cosmetic or wear a certain hairstyle doesn’t 100% describe your gender identity, it’s like skirts or dresses Men and women have worn skirts and dresses all around the world it may be in different cultures they mean different things when they do wear them, beauty isn’t always the #1 reason for making fashion And it shouldn’t

What's your relationship like with femininity?

I feel I have a good continuing building relationship with my femininity. I feel when it comes to the Men and non binary men of the LGBTQ community, we all have had to take time to reprogram our brains when it comes to what these misogynist capitalist cis gender white men have programmed in our heads on what women want and what rolls women do and what rolls men do and how men need to dominate women and all of that nonsense I mean seriously, Gender is a construct in human society as it is, so where did all of these rules come from? But like I said I feel I have a good relationship with my feminine side

What do people misunderstand about makeup/ make-up artists?

I would say one of the number one thing I hear is that “ you can’t make a career out of makeup artistry”. Which is so far from the truth, I mean I see people who freelance and pay their bills by just 1 weeks worth of work, it can be hard getting into it but it’s not impossible to make a career out of it

Favorite

Lipstick: Danessa Myricks beauty lip pallete

Can't live without my: Mascara & lash curler

Make-up makes me feel: Excited to try something new or something bold or something beautiful

MAKE-UP BY JACOB TAYLOR

INSPIRING PERSON

Interview SK Smigiel

How have you experienced Femmephobia?

I have been told consistently throughout my gender journey that I am not nonbinary since I am so feminine. Each time I’m told this it becomes even more of a mission of mine to be femme representation for the non-binary community

What is your relationship with feminine expression?

I have always been inherently feminine, but it wasn't until I could house it in a neutral vessel that it felt comfortable for me to claim it Being in a body that was read as a woman made my femininity feel stifling Postop top surgery, my femininity is expansive and all encompassing I am lucky to have figured out that’s all I needed to do to harness my feminine power in a safe and comfortable way

How did your hate comment poetry start?

It started out as a therapeutic tool for me to work through the hatred I faced online I felt a sense of reclamation as I erased the hateful words and made beautiful messages out of them instead Once I started to share them with others, I realized how impactful the practice was from all of the amazing feedback I was getting I began opening up my hate comments to my followers so that they too could take part in this self and community care. Since then, I get thousands of weekly submissions and an endless amount of the same sentiment- this poem making is touching and moving!

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

People are always surprised to learn that I grew up with a Republican State Delegate as my dad Though our political views couldn’t have been any further apart, it taught me how to reason with and educate those with different belief systems than myself His career and my politically involved upbringing is a huge factor in the person I am today and why I choose to approach education in the way that I do. Not all folks think the same way, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t all come together to tolerate, accept, and love one another despite our differences

What's the best thing about your online community?

The safety it provides. I facilitated this community to provide others with the representation I couldn’t find online when I was first starting my gender journey I wanted to show someone out there who felt feminine but didn’t want the chest they were born with that it was valid and possible What I never anticipated was 40,000+ people joining me on that journey and providing me with a safe and loving community that I so desperately needed for myself, too.

How do you think the world would be different if genderpolicing did not exist?

There would be harmony that people don’t even know is lacking A world free of the binary (and all the expectations that come along with it) would be a much more equal one

WHAT'S UP WITH FEMISH

WIN $100 with our Sticker Campaign!

FEMISH is joining forces with feminist sociologist Dr Rhea Ashley Hoskin to get Webster's Dictionary to add the word "femmephobia." You can buy stickers at our Zazzle store or download a digital file for free on our website. Check out our Instagram post for the rules to enter to win!

SHE WHO WINS SUMMIT

Are you craving some empowerment and good energy? Come check out the She Who Wins Summit at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, April 28-29, 2023!

FEMISH Founder Samantha Martin will speak on a panel about Modern Feminism.

SUMMER INTERNS

Need a passion project to fill your summer break? How about some extra credits toward graduation? FEMISH has remote interns and tons to work on from writing & editing, photography, social media content, research, event planning, and community organization.

Apply Here!

FEMISH Dr Hoskin

PREACH: Pyschology Conference in Toronto, CA

FEMISH Founder Samantha Martin will be in attendance at the PREACH Conference, in June, where research on femininity will be discussed and celebrated

July 16th, 2023

Chicago, IL

about being unapologetically yourself personally & professionally.

Great speakers and a pop-up fine-line tattoo artist! This will be a dry event and is sponsored by Curious Elixirs.

We're still in planning mode, so stay tuned! Spots will be limited!

|

GOOD GIRL, BAD PERIOD.: BREAKING THE SILENCE ON MISOGYNY AND GASLIGHTING THROUGH THE LENS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

BY SILVIA YOUNG.

"It's Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me Margaret meets Gloria Steinem's Revolution from Within."

Good Girl, Bad Period is a collection of stories breaking the silence on misogyny and gaslighting through the lens of endometriosis.

Along with curricular commentary and narration guided by Silvia Young, the anthology projects a snapshot in time with over 80 stories of vast lived experiences at the forefront to nurture conversation, community, critical thinking, and a generation embarking on patient-centered solutions It also includes turn-key proposed legislation called ‘Empower Pupils Women’s Health Training’ Readers are equipped with the tools to impact policy change in their regions.

Providing an authentic perspective from the inside, Good Girl, Bad Period promotes intersectional feminism, and a sense of cultural, historical, and personal identity.The counternarrative will also call attention to many of history’s most prominent women writers and organizers whose work attests to the themes this book intends to destigmatize, proving just how much history repeats itself under a patriarchal system.

More than 80 contributors and six interviews, across four continents, 13 countries, and 22 states, represent not only 200 million people with endometriosis, but also billions more trying to access healthcare globally.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Sex assigned at birth is not always consistent with gender identity. As such, this body of work is intended to be inclusive. Any use of terms related to ‘fem’, ‘female’, ‘girls’, ‘woman’, ‘women’ or ‘women’s health’ used herein i.e., in referential citations or colloquial text is intended only as a theoretical and historic framework. Such use is not intended to trivialize any and all lived experiences trying to access healthcare in a two-gendered system or the many intersections facing added discrimination, including but not limited to ethnicity, race, culture, size, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disabilities, and socioeconomic bias.

Endometriosis is a disease that faces institutional gaslighting, with society being led to believe it is “just a bad period” with the protocol being to “control” the period in order to “control” the disease and if that doesn’t work, to subsequently further gaslight the patient as psychosomatic. Within a twogendered society this disease has historically faced widespread

misogyny through many tactics. The limited data is only based on bodies assigned female at birth, but endometriosis is not a menstrual disease - it is a disease that may have menstrual pain among its many symptoms, and for some, the disease may present at menstruation.

GOOD GIRL, BAD PERIOD GOOD GIRL, BAD PERIOD WILL BE AVAILABLE ON WILL BE AVAILABLE ON AAMAZON MAZON

MAY 16, 2023!

MAY 16, 2023!

Read an excerpt from the book on the on the next page next page

Read an excerpt from the book

EXCERPT FROM GOOD GIRL, BAD PERIOD

Growing up I was taught to be a "good girl." Indoctrinated to be quiet and polite, to never speak out of turn, and to always put the needs of others before my own. I was taught to be ashamed of my body and its functions, and to hide the evidence of my monthly period and pain from the world.

But as I grew older, I realized this "good girl" mentality harmed not just me, but all women and society I realized the silence around socalled women’s issues, specifically the taboo topic of menstruation and pain, is oppression.

It's a well-known fact that women are more likely to be dismissed and ridiculed when seeking care for their own health. This is a problem that needs to be addressed and taken seriously. It is time to break the silence and speak out about the injustices faced by women in the realm of healthcare. It is time to see the gender role and mental prison of a “good girl”, as well as the dismissive slur of “just a bad period”, for what it is - misogyny and gaslighting.

Endometriosis is a chronic and often debilitating condition that affects an estimated nearly 200 million girls and women worldwide and unmeasured amounts of transand non-binary individuals. Despite its prevalence, endometriosis is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked, with many patients going years or even decades without receiving an accurate diagnosis This is a result of the systemic misogyny and gaslighting that plagues society and the medical community, and perpetuates the notion that women's pain is not to be taken seriously. All health conditions facing gender bias and discrimination are social justice movements. Collectively we all need to fight for the rights of those who are suffering.

In the words of feminist writer and activist Audre Lorde, "I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own." We must stand together and support one another, for only by doing so can we hope to bring about real change and improve the lives of women everywhere.

It’s time to teach into diseases like endometriosis as a social justice movement.

Watch,Read,Listen

ERIN BROCKOVICH

LET'S THROW IT BACK TO THIS 2000 DRAMA WITH JULIR ROBERTS BASED ON THE TRUE STORY OF HOW ONE WOMAN WHO FOUGHT FIERCELY FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE HINKLEY GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION, ALL WHILE REFUSING TO CHANGE WHO SHE IS, AND NEVER LETTING ANYONE'S LOW EXPECTATIONS OF HER STOP HER, BUT INSTEAD FUEL HER AMAZING WORK

WHIPPING GIRL BY: JULIA SERANO

A TRANSEXUAL WOMAN ON SEXISM AND THE SCAPEGOATING OF FEMININITY.

MAN ENOUGH PODCAST

LISTEN IN ON HOW TOXIC MASCULINIITY & THE REJECTION OF "FEMININITY" HAS BEEN HARMFUL TO MEN.

DONT FORGET! THIS ENTIRE MAGAZINE IS INTERACTIVE, THERE ARE LINKS EVERYWHERE!

Be A Contributor

Wewillneverstopsharingresearchandstoriesto createabondedcommunityofchangemakers. Femmephobia&Gender-policingareprohibiting trueequality,andwehavehadenough.

FilloutourContributorformbelowandseehowyou canaddyourvoicetoournonprofitorganization's platforms.

Model: Tyler Herrera/MUA

Suzanne Sabat/Hair by Katie Shruta