Two words: naked activists
I realize that some readers may not be as amused and delighted by this approach to activism as I am. In which case, I bid those readers a not-so-tearful adieu, and welcome those brave souls who are still with me at this point. Stick around, there’s going to be more stuff like this.
I have to say it again. NAKED ACTIVISTS. Not only is it extremely funny, and it is hilarious, but naked activism has proved to be a very smart and clever way to bring much needed attention to an almost completely forgotten cause. Funding for federal AIDS programs has recently been threatened by budget sequestration and a group of scantily clad activists want to bring attention to the issue. And they have. On November 27th the group staged a protest in House Speaker John Boehner’s office in their usual non-attire, wearing only the words “AIDS cuts kills” on their backs.
The activists in question call themselves the Naked Seven. Three of the Naked Seven have been arrested for the stunt, and all seven face charges for indecent exposure. The Naked Seven are asking for help in covering attorney’s fees and court costs. You can help them out on Indiegogo. Kudos and a hearty wolf-whistle for the Naked Seven and their brave stand for a good cause.
Men in Skirts
Another take on what to wear when protesting comes from the Kindness Blog. The headline reads “Men Supporting Women’s Rights…by Wearing Miniskirts” and features lots of pictures of men doing just that.
Not surprisingly, the skirt-wearing trend started on Twitter and took flight as hashtag #ozgecanicinminietekgiy, which translates as “wear a miniskirt for Ozgecan.”
Özgecan Aslan, a 20 year old university student, had been murdered after being beaten and raped by a bus driver and his two accomplices. Her body was later discovered in a riverbed in Mersin, Turkey.
According to Turkish lawyer and activist Hulya Gulbahar, quoted in the article, “The protest shows that a short skirt is not an excuse for rape.” After such a troubling and sad event, it’s good to see real efforts for change. Bravo to skirt-wearing men.
References
Mulholland, M. (2015, December 5). We’ve Got You Covered: Raising $ for Court Fees for the Naked Seven. Retrieved from Indiegogo.com: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/we-ve-got-you-covered-raising-for-court-fees-for-the-naked-seven
Men Supporting Women’s Rights…by Wearing Miniskirts. (2015, February 23). Retrieved from http://kindnessblog.com/: http://kindnessblog.com/2015/02/23/men-supporting-womens-rights-by-wearing-miniskirts/
Girit, S. (2015, February 15). Turkey rallies over murder of woman who ‘resisted rape’. Retrieved from bbc.com/news/world-europe: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31476978
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