Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
mardi 30 juin 2020
NASA Created a Fragrance, and We Can Finally Know What Outer Space Smells Like
If you were ever wondering what space smells like - I mean, who hasn't? - you might be able to get a whiff very soon. Years after its creation, Eau de Space, an outer space-scented fragrance developed by NASA, is coming to the masses.
Chemist Steve Pearce originally designed the perfume in 2008 for astronauts to train themselves on how space smells before launching into orbit. But recently, the team behind Eau de Space launched a Kickstarter campaign to commercialize the perfume and bring it down to Earth. While individuals will also be able to buy the fragrance directly, the brand's primary goal is to manufacture Eau de Space to increase interest in STEM learning through experiential education for K-12 students, according to its Kickstarter page.
Astronauts describe the smell of space as "a mix of gunpowder, seared steak, raspberries and rum," according to a CNN interview with Matt Richmond, Eau de Space's product manager. So, perhaps if you're into smoky scents, you'll want to give Eau de Space a go when it's available to buy in October for about $15.
NASA Created a Fragrance, and We Can Finally Know What Outer Space Smells Like
If you were ever wondering what space smells like - I mean, who hasn't? - you might be able to get a whiff very soon. Years after its creation, Eau de Space, an outer space-scented fragrance developed by NASA, is coming to the masses.
Chemist Steve Pearce originally designed the perfume in 2008 for astronauts to train themselves on how space smells before launching into orbit. But recently, the team behind Eau de Space launched a Kickstarter campaign to commercialize the perfume and bring it down to Earth. While individuals will also be able to buy the fragrance directly, the brand's primary goal is to manufacture Eau de Space to increase interest in STEM learning through experiential education for K-12 students, according to its Kickstarter page.
Astronauts describe the smell of space as "a mix of gunpowder, seared steak, raspberries and rum," according to a CNN interview with Matt Richmond, Eau de Space's product manager. So, perhaps if you're into smoky scents, you'll want to give Eau de Space a go when it's available to buy in October for about $15.
29 Foreign Netflix Films So Hot, They're About to Top Your To-Do List
Throw on your silkiest lingerie and get out your best bottle of red wine - these are the things that go best with a supersteamy Netflix movie, am I right? If you're in the mood for a titillating, late-night international flick, look no further. The foreign films ahead are riveting . . . in a sensual, touchy-feely way, if you know what we mean. From newer Netflix hits to old-school foreign films, you can stream them all tonight, spread them out over the week, or save them for a later steamy date, the choice is up to you.
- Additional reporting by Ashley Paige and Tara Block.
Related: Warning: These Sexy Movies on Netflix This July Are Dangerously Hot
Alex Morgan, Katie Ledecky, and 5 Other GOAT-Level Athletes Star In Apple's Greatness Code
Because there's no such thing as too many sports documentaries, today Apple released the first trailer for Greatness Code, a short form series spotlighting untold stories from some of the world's greatest athletes. USWNT star Alex Morgan and five-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky are both featured, alongside five other world-class competitors, including LeBron James, Usain Bolt, and 11-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater. According to a press release, each athlete gets their own mini-episode to examine a pivotal moment that defined their career. The full series drops July 10 on Apple TV+, and judging by the trailer, we're in for a pretty epic ride. Watch it for yourself above.
29 Foreign Netflix Films So Hot, They're About to Top Your To-Do List
Throw on your silkiest lingerie and get out your best bottle of red wine - these are the things that go best with a supersteamy Netflix movie, am I right? If you're in the mood for a titillating, late-night international flick, look no further. The foreign films ahead are riveting . . . in a sensual, touchy-feely way, if you know what we mean. From newer Netflix hits to old-school foreign films, you can stream them all tonight, spread them out over the week, or save them for a later steamy date, the choice is up to you.
- Additional reporting by Ashley Paige and Tara Block.
Related: Warning: These Sexy Movies on Netflix This July Are Dangerously Hot
21 Comfortable Minidresses That Are Just as Ready For Summer as We Are
If you're thinking of trading in your sweatpants for a cute dress, we don't blame you. Dresses make an easy outfit in and of themselves, they're breathable in hot summer weather, and yes, they can actually be comfortable! If the summer heat is proving too much to bear, get yourself a new, comfortable minidress ASAP, and we guarantee you won't want to take it off.
From cute t-shirt dresses to white dresses perfect for the season, here are 21 options worth adding to your closet right now. They're fun, comfortable, and easy to wear. Pair yours with gold hoops and slide sandals for the ultimate summer look that you can wear anytime - even if you're not leaving the house.
29 Foreign Netflix Films So Hot, They're About to Top Your To-Do List
Throw on your silkiest lingerie and get out your best bottle of red wine - these are the things that go best with a supersteamy Netflix movie, am I right? If you're in the mood for a titillating, late-night international flick, look no further. The foreign films ahead are riveting . . . in a sensual, touchy-feely way, if you know what we mean. From newer Netflix hits to old-school foreign films, you can stream them all tonight, spread them out over the week, or save them for a later steamy date, the choice is up to you.
- Additional reporting by Ashley Paige and Tara Block.
Related: Warning: These Sexy Movies on Netflix This July Are Dangerously Hot
Alex Morgan, Katie Ledecky, and 5 Other GOAT-Level Athletes Star In Apple's Greatness Code
Because there's no such thing as too many sports documentaries, today Apple released the first trailer for Greatness Code, a short form series spotlighting untold stories from some of the world's greatest athletes. USWNT star Alex Morgan and five-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky are both featured, alongside five other world-class competitors, including LeBron James, Usain Bolt, and 11-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater. According to a press release, each athlete gets their own mini-episode to examine a pivotal moment that defined their career. The full series drops July 10 on Apple TV+, and judging by the trailer, we're in for a pretty epic ride. Watch it for yourself above.
Trainer and Fitness Personality Jake DuPree on Thriving as a Burlesque Dancer and Coming Out
Image Source: Courtesy of Jake DuPree
You probably know Jake DuPree from his energetic and welcoming workout videos on POPSUGAR Fitness - I mean, how could you not? The barre- and Pilates-certified trainer, who grew up doing gymnastics, told POPSUGAR that teaching others is like a performance. "It really helped develop my voice and allowed me to express myself freely and openly." Movement, dance, and putting on a show haven't just given DuPree his career, they were integral, he said, in embracing his identity as gender fluid and gay.
DuPree, who uses "he" and "they" pronouns, wants to see more LGBTQ+ representation in the fitness industry, especially in mainstream media and brands. "I think they're afraid to go out on a limb and give people a chance, but I just think that that's so disappointing," he told POPSUGAR. And, when it comes down to it, he said, everyone deserves a chance. "I just encourage brands and businesses that promote fitness and promote wellness to really include all kinds of different people."
While teaching fitness in LA, Dupree got into the musical theater scene, which is where he taught himself how to do makeup. However, he first started really exploring his femininity three years back for his recurrent Glitter Fantasy role on Cosmopolitan's website, and he continued to realize that part of himself after a breakup at the end of 2017. DuPree went through what he describes as a "deep depression" and, to get himself out of it, he would paint his face with makeup in the mirror. "It sort of just got me back to myself because my ex was not into me doing that kind of stuff, and I'd always wanted to."
"To really find that androgynous space that I want to inhabit, it honestly has changed my life and it's empowered me in such the coolest way."
DuPree learned to sew and make outfits, saying that he wanted to create his "own lane of this androgynous, fluid space." Soon after, he entered an amateur drag competition at Revolver, a gay bar in West Hollywood. Every week during that competition, there were themed performances and DuPree began to develop his defining "burlesque-y, androgynous" style of showmanship. DuPree not only found himself, but he won the whole competition.
Two weeks later, an opportunity came about to audition for Dita Von Teese's Von Follies show in LA. "I went in my lingerie and my boy hair and my makeup face and my heels. And it was like the world truly stopped in that room," DuPree said. He found out that he was cast for a two-night stint as the lead for Von Teese's iconic martini glass act, and he truly felt like he had locked down his niche thanks to one of his idols. That show in September 2018 was the official start of his burlesque career.
Image Source: Courtesy of Jake DuPree
To DuPree, burlesque is just another avenue where he can express himself in an invigorating way, and he now has three regular shows that he does every month in California (which he will resume once social distancing guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic ease): Tease If You Please at Exchange LA; a drag show, Room Service Cabaret, at the Sofitel in Beverly Hills; and MUSE Burlesque at the Copper Door in Santa Ana. "To really find that androgynous space that I want to inhabit, it honestly has changed my life, and it's empowered me in the coolest way," he said. "And now that I get to travel all over and people really are starting to take recognition of what I do, I feel like the luckiest person in the world."
DuPree has taught some burlesque dance classes here and there, but he wants to eventually combine his passion for burlesque and fitness in a "sexy and empowering" approach that's enjoyable for everyone. He prides himself in the way that he's able to motivate people through his workouts and bring a signature flare to fitness - "if I'm going to be there, I want to make it memorable," he said. So, combining that with burlesque would be a unique experience we hope to one day see.
DuPree came out to his family when he was 19 or 20 after he started seeing someone in college who didn't live near him, and his parents noticed that he was visibly upset. "I remember I was on holiday break, and my mom came up to my bedroom and she got in bed with me and she's like, 'What's wrong with you? You're not acting like yourself.' And I was like, 'Do you really want to know?' And she said, 'Yeah, tell me.' And then I said, 'I'm gay.'"
Luckily for DuPree, telling his parents and the rest of his family went well - great, even. "My parents both have been so supportive of everything that I do," he explained. It all came full circle when he invited them to watch him perform burlesque for the first time last fall and also came to a Kinky Boots performance of his early on in 2020. "I sat at dinner with [my mom] after one of the shows that she saw. She goes to me, 'I fully get it now. I fully see and understand what you are doing,'" DuPree recalled. "And that is the best feeling in the world."
The NCAA Trans Athlete Policy Was Groundbreaking In 2011 - But In 2020, More Must Be Done
In 2011, the NCAA released a set of guidelines on the inclusion of transgender student-athletes in collegiate sports. It was nothing short of "groundbreaking," Chris Mosier, a pro athlete, transgender advocate, and founder of Transathlete.com, told POPSUGAR. The guidelines provided set-in-stone policy that mandated trans athletes' ability to play. Yet despite this important first step, transgender athletes still experience backlash, discrimination, and harmful misconceptions, both in the NCAA and beyond. Nine years after its publication, the shortcomings in the NCAA's policy have become ever more apparent - especially as it faces recent and serious setbacks in the form of exclusionary state laws and continued discrimination.
What Is the NCAA's Policy on Transgender Student-Athletes?
According to "NCAA Inclusion of Transgender Student-Athletes," published in 2011, a "trans male (FTM) student-athlete" may compete on a men's team in the NCAA, whether or not they choose to take testosterone as hormone therapy. "Trans female (MTF) student-athlete[s]," however, are required to take testosterone suppression medication for one year in order to compete on a women's team. ("FTM" stands for "female to male," while "MTF" stands for "male to female.") The guidelines expressly state that "a trans female transgender student athlete" who doesn't take hormone therapy is not allowed to compete on a women's team.
As they stand now, the guidelines are exclusionary to trans women who are not taking testosterone suppression medication. This is an issue because, as Mosier pointed out, "there's not just one way to be a transgender person. Trans people can choose many different paths for what transition may look like for themselves."
One of these paths is a medical transition, which may include hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgery. Another is a social transition, which could include changing one's name, pronouns, style of dress, and locker room facilities one uses. There's also the possibility of a legal transition, which could include legally changing one's name or gender marker on IDs and birth certificates. "There's no one way and no singular 'right' way, and a trans person may do some, any, or none of these in any order they wish," Mosier explained. That makes it complicated to set one policy in place, he added. "Trans people are as diverse as anyone else, and many of the policies in competitive sports, including the NCAA, are centered around hormones."
The guidelines also fail to address the needs of nonbinary student-athletes, while assuming that all transgender student-athletes identify as FTM or MTF. According to the LGBT Community Center of New Orleans' website, "Not all people conceptualize their gender as a transition from one binary sex to another. Some understand themselves to be transgender, neither male nor female, some combination of both, or a third or alternative gender, such as genderqueer or trans."
According to a spokeswoman for the NCAA, rationale for the policy "noted that issues of student-athlete well-being and protection of competitive equity requires an Association-wide policy that addresses transgender student-athlete participation. The policy sought fair opportunities for student-athletes from diverse backgrounds while ensuring that women's sports would be equitably conducted. It is important to note the policy does not requiring the reporting of testosterone levels."
What Is the Controversy Around Transgender Athletes?
To understand the issues at play in the NCAA, it's worth looking at the bigger picture. "At all levels of play, athletes who are transgender face discrimination and backlash about their identities due to lack of understanding about what it actually means to be transgender, and why we want to play sports," Mosier told POPSUGAR. Trans women athletes in particular face damaging stereotypes and misconceptions, he said.
Some people argue that trans women have an unfair advantage when it comes to physical athletic competition. Research on the subject tends to be conflicting. A 2017 review stated that neither transgender men or transgender women retained an athletic advantage over cisgender athletes at any stage of their transition. But according to a 2019 essay written by physiologists, "science demonstrates that high testosterone and other male physiology provides a performance advantage in sport suggesting that transwomen retain some of that advantage." Still, policy around transgender athletes goes beyond pure science, the researchers added. "To determine whether the advantage is unfair necessitates an ethical analysis of the principles of inclusion and fairness."
"Trans athletes want to participate in sports for the same reasons as anyone else."
Meanwhile, transgender athletes are the ones bearing the brunt. In late May, a Connecticut policy that allowed transgender girls to compete in girls' high school sports was found to violate the civil rights of athletes who have always identified as female. The lawsuit was brought forward by three athletes, all cisgender girls, after two transgender girls saw success in high school track meets; according to the lawsuit, the transgender athletes won a combined 15 championship races since 2017.
Yet according to Helen Carroll, an advocate for LGBTQ+ athletes who worked on the NCAA's handbook, that level of success - whether relevant or not - doesn't seem to be the norm. In a 2019 interview with Wired, she estimated that there are 150 to 200 transgender student-athletes in the NCAA. A few stand out for their successes, such as sprinter CeCé Telfer from Franklin Pierce University, who won the Division II national championship in the 400-meters, and cross country runner June Eastwood of Montana. But "you don't hear a thing about" most of the other transgender athletes in the NCAA, Carroll said; their performances haven't led to controversy.
What Challenges Do Transgender Athletes Face in the NCAA?
In addition to backlash and discrimination, transgender student-athletes in the NCAA face additional hurdles. One of these, Mosier said, is a "discrepancy in policy."
In March 2020, Idaho passed a law banning transgender women and girls from competing in women's sports, applying to all sports teams sponsored by public schools, colleges, and universities. As Mosier observed, the new law (HB500) "directly conflicts with the NCAA guidelines that allow trans athletes to participate, so athletes in Idaho or who are at a school that would play in Idaho are at risk of being fully banned from participating." Many other states are considering, or have considered, similar bills that prohibit transgender women from competing in women's sports.
How Can the NCAA's Policy Transgender Student-Athletes Evolve?
The NCAA's guidelines have created opportunities for students "to be their authentic selves and continue to play the sports they love," Mosier said. He noted that hundreds of transgender athletes have competed in college without issue. Nine years after the passage of the inclusion guidelines, though, it may be time for an update.
"The NCAA must update its guide for transgender athletes, which still uses outdated terms that were removed from common use in 2013," he said. The policy should also make an effort to recognize nonbinary athletes, "who also need policies for participation," Mosier said. According to an NCAA spokeswoman, "The policy is currently under review by several NCAA committees."
There are various medical, social, and political aspects at play when it comes to transgender inclusion in college sports. But at the heart of the issue is this: "Trans athletes want to participate in sports for the same reasons as anyone else," Mosier stated. "Playing sports at any level leads to positive outcomes in all areas of our lives. All people should take an interest in ensuring trans athletes are included in sport and protected from harmful legislation and policy."
Trainer and Fitness Personality Jake DuPree on Thriving as a Burlesque Dancer and Coming Out
Image Source: Courtesy of Jake DuPree
You probably know Jake DuPree from his energetic and welcoming workout videos on POPSUGAR Fitness - I mean, how could you not? The barre- and Pilates-certified trainer, who grew up doing gymnastics, told POPSUGAR that teaching others is like a performance. "It really helped develop my voice and allowed me to express myself freely and openly." Movement, dance, and putting on a show haven't just given DuPree his career, they were integral, he said, in embracing his identity as gender fluid and gay.
DuPree, who uses "he" and "they" pronouns, wants to see more LGBTQ+ representation in the fitness industry, especially in mainstream media and brands. "I think they're afraid to go out on a limb and give people a chance, but I just think that that's so disappointing," he told POPSUGAR. And, when it comes down to it, he said, everyone deserves a chance. "I just encourage brands and businesses that promote fitness and promote wellness to really include all kinds of different people."
While teaching fitness in LA, Dupree got into the musical theater scene, which is where he taught himself how to do makeup. However, he first started really exploring his femininity three years back for his recurrent Glitter Fantasy role on Cosmopolitan's website, and he continued to realize that part of himself after a breakup at the end of 2017. DuPree went through what he describes as a "deep depression" and, to get himself out of it, he would paint his face with makeup in the mirror. "It sort of just got me back to myself because my ex was not into me doing that kind of stuff, and I'd always wanted to."
"To really find that androgynous space that I want to inhabit, it honestly has changed my life and it's empowered me in such the coolest way."
DuPree learned to sew and make outfits, saying that he wanted to create his "own lane of this androgynous, fluid space." Soon after, he entered an amateur drag competition at Revolver, a gay bar in West Hollywood. Every week during that competition, there were themed performances and DuPree began to develop his defining "burlesque-y, androgynous" style of showmanship. DuPree not only found himself, but he won the whole competition.
Two weeks later, an opportunity came about to audition for Dita Von Teese's Von Follies show in LA. "I went in my lingerie and my boy hair and my makeup face and my heels. And it was like the world truly stopped in that room," DuPree said. He found out that he was cast for a two-night stint as the lead for Von Teese's iconic martini glass act, and he truly felt like he had locked down his niche thanks to one of his idols. That show in September 2018 was the official start of his burlesque career.
Image Source: Courtesy of Jake DuPree
To DuPree, burlesque is just another avenue where he can express himself in an invigorating way, and he now has three regular shows that he does every month in California (which he will resume once social distancing guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic ease): Tease If You Please at Exchange LA; a drag show, Room Service Cabaret, at the Sofitel in Beverly Hills; and MUSE Burlesque at the Copper Door in Santa Ana. "To really find that androgynous space that I want to inhabit, it honestly has changed my life, and it's empowered me in the coolest way," he said. "And now that I get to travel all over and people really are starting to take recognition of what I do, I feel like the luckiest person in the world."
DuPree has taught some burlesque dance classes here and there, but he wants to eventually combine his passion for burlesque and fitness in a "sexy and empowering" approach that's enjoyable for everyone. He prides himself in the way that he's able to motivate people through his workouts and bring a signature flare to fitness - "if I'm going to be there, I want to make it memorable," he said. So, combining that with burlesque would be a unique experience we hope to one day see.
DuPree came out to his family when he was 19 or 20 after he started seeing someone in college who didn't live near him, and his parents noticed that he was visibly upset. "I remember I was on holiday break, and my mom came up to my bedroom and she got in bed with me and she's like, 'What's wrong with you? You're not acting like yourself.' And I was like, 'Do you really want to know?' And she said, 'Yeah, tell me.' And then I said, 'I'm gay.'"
Luckily for DuPree, telling his parents and the rest of his family went well - great, even. "My parents both have been so supportive of everything that I do," he explained. It all came full circle when he invited them to watch him perform burlesque for the first time last fall and also came to a Kinky Boots performance of his early on in 2020. "I sat at dinner with [my mom] after one of the shows that she saw. She goes to me, 'I fully get it now. I fully see and understand what you are doing,'" DuPree recalled. "And that is the best feeling in the world."
21 Comfortable Minidresses That Are Just as Ready For Summer as We Are
If you're thinking of trading in your sweatpants for a cute dress, we don't blame you. Dresses make an easy outfit in and of themselves, they're breathable in hot summer weather, and yes, they can actually be comfortable! If the summer heat is proving too much to bear, get yourself a new, comfortable minidress ASAP, and we guarantee you won't want to take it off.
From cute t-shirt dresses to white dresses perfect for the season, here are 21 options worth adding to your closet right now. They're fun, comfortable, and easy to wear. Pair yours with gold hoops and slide sandals for the ultimate summer look that you can wear anytime - even if you're not leaving the house.
The NCAA Trans Athlete Policy Was Groundbreaking In 2011 - But In 2020, More Must Be Done
In 2011, the NCAA released a set of guidelines on the inclusion of transgender student-athletes in collegiate sports. It was nothing short of "groundbreaking," Chris Mosier, a pro athlete, transgender advocate, and founder of Transathlete.com, told POPSUGAR. The guidelines provided set-in-stone policy that mandated trans athletes' ability to play. Yet despite this important first step, transgender athletes still experience backlash, discrimination, and harmful misconceptions, both in the NCAA and beyond. Nine years after its publication, the shortcomings in the NCAA's policy have become ever more apparent - especially as it faces recent and serious setbacks in the form of exclusionary state laws and continued discrimination.
What Is the NCAA's Policy on Transgender Student-Athletes?
According to "NCAA Inclusion of Transgender Student-Athletes," published in 2011, a "trans male (FTM) student-athlete" may compete on a men's team in the NCAA, whether or not they choose to take testosterone as hormone therapy. "Trans female (MTF) student-athlete[s]," however, are required to take testosterone suppression medication for one year in order to compete on a women's team. ("FTM" stands for "female to male," while "MTF" stands for "male to female.") The guidelines expressly state that "a trans female transgender student athlete" who doesn't take hormone therapy is not allowed to compete on a women's team.
As they stand now, the guidelines are exclusionary to trans women who are not taking testosterone suppression medication. This is an issue because, as Mosier pointed out, "there's not just one way to be a transgender person. Trans people can choose many different paths for what transition may look like for themselves."
One of these paths is a medical transition, which may include hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgery. Another is a social transition, which could include changing one's name, pronouns, style of dress, and locker room facilities one uses. There's also the possibility of a legal transition, which could include legally changing one's name or gender marker on IDs and birth certificates. "There's no one way and no singular 'right' way, and a trans person may do some, any, or none of these in any order they wish," Mosier explained. That makes it complicated to set one policy in place, he added. "Trans people are as diverse as anyone else, and many of the policies in competitive sports, including the NCAA, are centered around hormones."
The guidelines also fail to address the needs of nonbinary student-athletes, while assuming that all transgender student-athletes identify as FTM or MTF. According to the LGBT Community Center of New Orleans' website, "Not all people conceptualize their gender as a transition from one binary sex to another. Some understand themselves to be transgender, neither male nor female, some combination of both, or a third or alternative gender, such as genderqueer or trans."
According to a spokeswoman for the NCAA, rationale for the policy "noted that issues of student-athlete well-being and protection of competitive equity requires an Association-wide policy that addresses transgender student-athlete participation. The policy sought fair opportunities for student-athletes from diverse backgrounds while ensuring that women's sports would be equitably conducted. It is important to note the policy does not requiring the reporting of testosterone levels."
What Is the Controversy Around Transgender Athletes?
To understand the issues at play in the NCAA, it's worth looking at the bigger picture. "At all levels of play, athletes who are transgender face discrimination and backlash about their identities due to lack of understanding about what it actually means to be transgender, and why we want to play sports," Mosier told POPSUGAR. Trans women athletes in particular face damaging stereotypes and misconceptions, he said.
Some people argue that trans women have an unfair advantage when it comes to physical athletic competition. Research on the subject tends to be conflicting. A 2017 review stated that neither transgender men or transgender women retained an athletic advantage over cisgender athletes at any stage of their transition. But according to a 2019 essay written by physiologists, "science demonstrates that high testosterone and other male physiology provides a performance advantage in sport suggesting that transwomen retain some of that advantage." Still, policy around transgender athletes goes beyond pure science, the researchers added. "To determine whether the advantage is unfair necessitates an ethical analysis of the principles of inclusion and fairness."
"Trans athletes want to participate in sports for the same reasons as anyone else."
Meanwhile, transgender athletes are the ones bearing the brunt. In late May, a Connecticut policy that allowed transgender girls to compete in girls' high school sports was found to violate the civil rights of athletes who have always identified as female. The lawsuit was brought forward by three athletes, all cisgender girls, after two transgender girls saw success in high school track meets; according to the lawsuit, the transgender athletes won a combined 15 championship races since 2017.
Yet according to Helen Carroll, an advocate for LGBTQ+ athletes who worked on the NCAA's handbook, that level of success - whether relevant or not - doesn't seem to be the norm. In a 2019 interview with Wired, she estimated that there are 150 to 200 transgender student-athletes in the NCAA. A few stand out for their successes, such as sprinter CeCé Telfer from Franklin Pierce University, who won the Division II national championship in the 400-meters, and cross country runner June Eastwood of Montana. But "you don't hear a thing about" most of the other transgender athletes in the NCAA, Carroll said; their performances haven't led to controversy.
What Challenges Do Transgender Athletes Face in the NCAA?
In addition to backlash and discrimination, transgender student-athletes in the NCAA face additional hurdles. One of these, Mosier said, is a "discrepancy in policy."
In March 2020, Idaho passed a law banning transgender women and girls from competing in women's sports, applying to all sports teams sponsored by public schools, colleges, and universities. As Mosier observed, the new law (HB500) "directly conflicts with the NCAA guidelines that allow trans athletes to participate, so athletes in Idaho or who are at a school that would play in Idaho are at risk of being fully banned from participating." Many other states are considering, or have considered, similar bills that prohibit transgender women from competing in women's sports.
How Can the NCAA's Policy Transgender Student-Athletes Evolve?
The NCAA's guidelines have created opportunities for students "to be their authentic selves and continue to play the sports they love," Mosier said. He noted that hundreds of transgender athletes have competed in college without issue. Nine years after the passage of the inclusion guidelines, though, it may be time for an update.
"The NCAA must update its guide for transgender athletes, which still uses outdated terms that were removed from common use in 2013," he said. The policy should also make an effort to recognize nonbinary athletes, "who also need policies for participation," Mosier said. According to an NCAA spokeswoman, "The policy is currently under review by several NCAA committees."
There are various medical, social, and political aspects at play when it comes to transgender inclusion in college sports. But at the heart of the issue is this: "Trans athletes want to participate in sports for the same reasons as anyone else," Mosier stated. "Playing sports at any level leads to positive outcomes in all areas of our lives. All people should take an interest in ensuring trans athletes are included in sport and protected from harmful legislation and policy."
The 19 Coolest and Comfiest Jeans Money Can Buy
As trends come and go, there's one staple piece that always remains in our closets: a solid pair of jeans. When the seasons change, so do the washes and cuts, and we're here to inform you about 2020's coolest pairs you'll see everywhere. Straight-leg silhouettes, raw hems, and vintage-inspired pairs are what we're excited to spend our money on this year.
To make your search for the perfect pair easy, we curated a list of the hottest picks out there. From brands like Levi's to H&M and Madewell, no doubt these top picks will blow you away. The best part: prices start at just $25, so what are you waiting for? Keep reading to find your next match.
These 130+ Disney Princess Tattoos Are the Fairest of Them All
Disney princess love is a forever kind of love, and there's no better way to show this sentiment than with a beautiful, princess-inspired tattoo that will last a lifetime. From timeless quotes to artistic depictions of Disney princesses - Ariel, Belle, Snow White, Pocahontas, Mulan, Aurora, Merida, Cinderella, Tiana, Moana, Snow White, Jasmine, and even unofficial additions to the royal lineup, Anna and Elsa - this impressive ink will inspire your next tattoo and open you up to a whole new world of magical markings.
- Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes and Hilary White
Related: Disney Just Released New Princess Wedding Dresses For Your Own Happily Ever After
Athlete A: Bela and Marta Karolyi Have Denied Having Any Knowledge of Larry Nassar's Abuse
Bela and Marta Karolyi are lauded as the driving force behind USA Gymnastics's (USAG) rise to dominance, but their legacy was tarnished after it was reported that former team doctor Larry Nassar regularly abused athletes during treatments at the couple's famed training center. Netflix's Athlete A takes a closer look at the Karolyis' controversial coaching methods, but you may be curious if the duo is still involved with the program they helped build for more than 30 years.
Bela's reign and subsequent retirement as national team coordinator of USAG preceded his wife's. He's best known for helping propel Mary Lou Retton to Olympic stardom in 1984, and urging an injured Kerri Strug to vault once more to clench the country's first team gold at the 1996 Olympic Games. (That moment is shown through a different lens in the documentary.) After a disappointing run at the 2000 Olympics, Bela retired and passed the baton to Marta, who helped lead Team USA to back-to-back gold medals in 2012 and 2016. Marta's retirement after the Rio Games marked the end of the couple's tenure at USAG.
Just weeks after the Final Five dominated the field in Rio, the Indianapolis Star broke its story about the allegations against Nassar. The Karolyis have repeatedly denied having any knowledge of the abuse, but many gymnasts, parents, and coaches have alleged that the couple created a culture of fear and silence that helped to enable it, with some even suing the Karolyis for damages.
Unlike former USAG president Steve Penny - who faces charges for tampering with evidence related to the Nassar case - the Karolyis are not on USAG's permanently ineligible list, but given that the organization has moved its training camps away from the Karolyi ranch, it seems unlikely that they'll ever be involved with the program again. Whether they'll be freed from civil lawsuits alleging they played a role in Nassar's crimes remains to be seen.
Warning: These Sexy Movies on Netflix This July Are Dangerously Hot
As if July wasn't hot enough, Netflix's movie offerings for the month are hotter than ever. From sexy rom-coms to erotic thrillers to sensual biopics, Netflix has a hot-and-heavy movie for everyone this July - though you'll want to make sure to crank the A/C and chug some water before watching. Why stay inside to watch a movie on a summer's day, you ask? Unlike a day at the beach, sexy movies won't give you a sunburn, leave you with sand in your pants, or require you to go anywhere but your couch. Here are some hot movies to check out on Netflix this July if you think you can handle the heat.
Athlete A: Bela and Marta Karolyi Have Denied Having Any Knowledge of Larry Nassar's Abuse
Bela and Marta Karolyi are lauded as the driving force behind USA Gymnastics's (USAG) rise to dominance, but their legacy was tarnished after it was reported that former team doctor Larry Nassar regularly abused athletes during treatments at the couple's famed training center. Netflix's Athlete A takes a closer look at the Karolyis' controversial coaching methods, but you may be curious if the duo is still involved with the program they helped build for more than 30 years.
Bela's reign and subsequent retirement as national team coordinator of USAG preceded his wife's. He's best known for helping propel Mary Lou Retton to Olympic stardom in 1984, and urging an injured Kerri Strug to vault once more to clench the country's first team gold at the 1996 Olympic Games. (That moment is shown through a different lens in the documentary.) After a disappointing run at the 2000 Olympics, Bela retired and passed the baton to Marta, who helped lead Team USA to back-to-back gold medals in 2012 and 2016. Marta's retirement after the Rio Games marked the end of the couple's tenure at USAG.
Just weeks after the Final Five dominated the field in Rio, the Indianapolis Star broke its story about the allegations against Nassar. The Karolyis have repeatedly denied having any knowledge of the abuse, but many gymnasts, parents, and coaches have alleged that the couple created a culture of fear and silence that helped to enable it, with some even suing the Karolyis for damages.
Unlike former USAG president Steve Penny - who faces charges for tampering with evidence related to the Nassar case - the Karolyis are not on USAG's permanently ineligible list, but given that the organization has moved its training camps away from the Karolyi ranch, it seems unlikely that they'll ever be involved with the program again. Whether they'll be freed from civil lawsuits alleging they played a role in Nassar's crimes remains to be seen.
The 19 Coolest and Comfiest Jeans Money Can Buy
As trends come and go, there's one staple piece that always remains in our closets: a solid pair of jeans. When the seasons change, so do the washes and cuts, and we're here to inform you about 2020's coolest pairs you'll see everywhere. Straight-leg silhouettes, raw hems, and vintage-inspired pairs are what we're excited to spend our money on this year.
To make your search for the perfect pair easy, we curated a list of the hottest picks out there. From brands like Levi's to H&M and Madewell, no doubt these top picks will blow you away. The best part: prices start at just $25, so what are you waiting for? Keep reading to find your next match.
These 130+ Disney Princess Tattoos Are the Fairest of Them All
Disney princess love is a forever kind of love, and there's no better way to show this sentiment than with a beautiful, princess-inspired tattoo that will last a lifetime. From timeless quotes to artistic depictions of Disney princesses - Ariel, Belle, Snow White, Pocahontas, Mulan, Aurora, Merida, Cinderella, Tiana, Moana, Snow White, Jasmine, and even unofficial additions to the royal lineup, Anna and Elsa - this impressive ink will inspire your next tattoo and open you up to a whole new world of magical markings.
- Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes and Hilary White
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An Abortion Fund Co-Director on What The Latest Supreme Court Victory Really Means
The Supreme Court narrowly confirmed Louisianans right to accessible reproductive care in a five-to-four vote on Monday, reinforcing the right to abortion access in the United States. The case was heard despite a nearly identical Supreme Court judgement from 2016 that ruled requiring abortion providers to have hospital admitting privileges was unnecessary, on the grounds that it placed undue burden on patients seeking care. After earning what feels like a repeated victory, some pro-choice advocates are describing this latest Supreme Court ruling as bittersweet, with past decisions - including ones with significant precedent, like Roe v. Wade - suddenly up for debate with increasing frequency in the courts.
We spoke to one such leader in the pro-choice movement, Oriaku Njoku, about the latest Supreme Court decision. Njoku is the co-founder and co-director of Access Reproductive Care - Southeast, a regional abortion fund that Njoku describes as providing "logistical support to Southerners who are trying to access reproductive healthcare," all while working toward the abolition of stigma and restoration of "dignity and justice, especially in communities of color that have been impacted by all sorts of reproductive oppression." Read on for Njoku's take on the implications of this Supreme Court ruling.
POPSUGAR: What were your first thoughts on the Supreme Court ruling? Were you surprised?
Oriaku Njoku: My unfiltered version of the outcome of this is just, 'Thank you for doing your job.' The court did exactly what it was supposed to do. And it's upholding the past decisions that we've had that just came through four years ago [in the Whole Women's Health vs Hellerstedt case]. It felt like because it's been this targeted attack in states towards people being able to make decisions around what's best for themselves and their families, and using our bodies as what feels like political pawns, any other decision besides the one they made today would have felt like it was not coming from an unbiased or just place. It would have felt like it was obviously politically motivated, because that's what a lot of these [anti-abortion] attacks are doing on the state-level. I'm very pleased, and at the same time, we still have lots of work to do to make sure that in another two or four years we're not doing the same thing again.
PS: What do you think this second win against required hospital admitting privileges at abortion clinics means for the people your organization helps in rural areas, in the Southeast and elsewhere?
ON: Roe v. Wade made abortion legal, but it didn't necessarily make it accessible for a lot of people that need to access care. A lot of folks are traveling hours - hundreds of miles - to access abortion care. They're even crossing state lines to do so. So for folks that live in rural communities, especially in Louisiana, this [Supreme Court ruling] means that even though there are unfortunately only three clinics right now that are independent clinics providing abortion care in the state of Louisiana, it reduces the necessity for people to have to travel out of state and to figure out the logistics of getting across state lines to access basic healthcare. That's really, really encouraging.
PS: We spoke to the now-President of Planned Parenthood about how COVID and reproductive justice intersect last month, but a whole lot has changed in the world since then. I'd love to hear from you how you think about this ruling in the context of COVID-19 as well as protests against police brutality, and if you see a connection between the three.
"I feel like when folks talk about admitting privileges, it's under the guise of increased safety, when the reality is abortion care is safe. It's one of the most safe procedures that you can have."
ON: I think the common thread with all of this is the impact of systemic anti-Blackness on the ability of our people in our community to be able to thrive, and to live without shame or fear or stigma - or without the threat of dying or being murdered by the state. At one point, it was reported in April that 80 percent of people who were in hospitals [with COVID-19 in Georgia] were Black. And so when you're thinking about the impact of the medical industrial complex and people of color - especially Black people - trying to access care, we think about [systemic racism] when it comes to abortion access at the same time. Even in the '60s and '70s, when you were hearing about some of these old stories, white women were still able to get their abortions. They'd be like, "Oh, I'm taking a trip. I'm going to Mexico, I'm going to Puerto Rico, I'm going to New York." That wasn't necessarily the case for Black folks in the South or Black folks in the Midwest trying to access care. And unfortunately it goes back to the idea that yes, Roe v. Wade is legal, but it's not fairly accessible.
When we're thinking about surviving under systems that were never actually intended for us to thrive, this is actually a time to say, "If we're making demands around one of the basic tenets of reproductive justice - which is to be able to raise your children and your families in communities that are sustainable, where you can thrive; when you think about that piece and think about just the basic human right of being able to have access to things like clean water, health care, clean air, food, and thinking about how the systems have kept us from being able to thrive - my hope is that with the uprisings, with the heightened awareness of [injustice] that people have in this moment, that this will actually be a catalyst for some positive change and not just [surface-level] change. Like, "Oh, we're going to "do better" and now start to celebrate Juneteenth as an organization even though this has been a holiday for 155 years, you know?' Not that kind of thing. But what are some actionable steps that we can make in this moment that are systemic and actually going to benefit all of us?
PS: Can you talk about what the sticking point is [for anti-choice leaders] with abortion clinics and admitting privileges? Why has that been such a particular area of contention?
ON: I'm definitely not a lawyer, but I feel like if the opposition had a starter pack for shenanigans, this would be one of the things that would be, like, "What's something we can do that's so outlandish that would stop people from getting care?" I feel like when folks talk about admitting privileges, it's under the guise of increased safety, when the reality is abortion care is safe. It's one of the safest procedures that you can have. And so perpetuating this idea of stigma and fear and [of abortion] not being safe is actually so far from the truth and reality of abortion, that making doctors [have admitting privileges] into an ER hospital [is a distraction.] If the ER hospital nearby is a Catholic hospital and they are against abortion, you're not going to get admitting privileges at that hospital. If you are a traveling doctor who has to come in-and-out of state because [you work in] a state that maybe only has one, two, three, or four abortion clinics, then there may be some reluctancy to give admitting privileges to people who are able to provide that care. It's just nit-picking at things to really target abortion providers. Because abortion is legal, [anti-choice people] are making it as hard to access as possible.
PS: Is there any action that you would want our readers to take to get involved today? One thing you'd ask them to get started on right away?
ON:Outside of making some contributions to the actual groups in Louisiana who put a ton of sweat and tears into this fight - Women With a Vision and New Orleans Abortion Fund, the independent abortion funds that are in Louisiana - they want to have more of a local impact wherever they are. Going to the National Network of Abortions Funds website and looking up abortion funds in their own state. Hopefully people can get tapped into that and make contributions to some of those organizations so we can keep eliminating barriers to abortion.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
There's a Theory That Dead to Me Is a Grace and Frankie Prequel and . . . We're Into It
After binge-watching the morbidly dark, buddy comedy Dead To Me in its entirety, I craved another strong female relationship, but without the homicidal subplot. Naturally, that desire led me to another Netflix original, Grace and Frankie. A striking similarity between the lead characters of both series made me wonder if Netflix is secretly making their own Marvel-esque universe. Certainly, Netflix has built a culture within its original content by recycling familiar actors in new releases, and even cross-promoting on shows (cue To All The Boys I've Loved Before star Lana Condor crashing an episode of Nailed It!). While it may seem far-fetched to link the happy-go-lucky lives of Grace and Frankie to Dead To Me's Jen and Judy, here are five reasons why it isn't totally impossible.
1. Identical Personalities
Jen (Christina Applegate) is a strong-willed, uneven tempered blonde with killer looks. Grace (Jane Fonda) is exactly the same, plus a few decades. Both women have a sharp tongue used most often to criticize the hippie antics of their best friends. Jen and Grace both begrudgingly befriended a brunette flower child with a minor marijuana habit. Frankie (Lily Tomlin) and Judy (Linda Cardellini) follow their hearts, guided by spiritual connections to the universe and soul-soothing crystals. While Judy and Frankie's organic, quirky auras provide comic relief in each show, they also balance Grace and Jen's coarse personalities.
2. An Affinity for the Beach
Both shows make a point of flaunting the wealth of their locations and proximity to beach life. Jen and Judy call Laguna beach home, but who's to say they didn't relocate to sunny San Diego years later, and change their names to Grace and Frankie? Jen built her career on selling multi-million dollar beach homes, and Grace was very adamant about keeping the beach house after her divorce. One Reddit thread even noted that the shows may use the same sets. Coincidence? I think not.
3. Judy and Frankie's Infertility
A major plot line in Dead To Me's first season is Judy's struggle to conceive and carry a child to term. After experiencing five miscarriages, she had nearly given up her dream of becoming a mother. After an assumed pregnancy scare, Judy learns that she is no longer able to become pregnant. Frankie has two adopted sons, and also struggled to conceive with her ex-husband, Sol (Sam Waterston).
4. Grace and Jen's Unhealthy Relationships
Both Grace and Jen have a tendency to stay in unhappy relationships for far too long. Jen and her husband were at each other's throats constantly before he died, and it was later revealed that he had been having an affair for over a year. Grace's husband also had an affair for twenty years, citing her lack of love for him as a reason for straying. Grace admitted to never truly being happy with him, and Jen often berates herself for not leaving her husband when things got rough. If Grace is future Jen, it seems that some old habits don't die.
5. Connected by the Men in Their Lives
The death of Jen's husband brought her to Judy, and the death of Judy's ex-fiancee forever bonded her to Jen. Even when the two have a falling out, they are always brought back together by the secrets they share about their deceased partners. Grace and Frankie hated each other, only connected by their husbands' law partnership. When that law partnership blossomed into something more, the two women were forced together, inevitably falling into an enviable friendship. In both shows, the friends regularly swear each other off, only for their shared circumstances to push them back into each others' good graces by the next episode.
Well, thoughts on this theory?
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