Hi John,

Sabrina here — wait no, that’s not right. I guess I’ve gotten just as used to hearing from Sabrina and relying on her #hottakes on all things gender justice as you have, John!

Well, the bad news is I’m not Sabrina. The good news is I’m going to fill her shoes today as best I can (perhaps with a few more puns) and bring you your fix of all things “justice for her, justice for all” content. Up first: the three Supreme Court cases next week that could be the biggest threat to rolling back LGBTQ rights in the workplace and all of our rights to be free from workplace sex discrimination — in decades.

All. The. Rights.

Next week the Supreme Court will hear three cases that essentially ask the same question: Should LGBTQ workers be excluded from federal protections against sex discrimination? We wrote a brief alongside other gender justice organizations that argues — spoiler alert — no!

The protections for LGBTQ folks that already exist in federal law are based on the law’s sex discrimination protections (namely: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans discrimination on the basis of sex) because, you know, discrimination against LGBTQ workers is always, inherently tied to their sex.

Title VII provides protections against sex stereotyping — like firing a woman because she doesn’t conform to stereotypes of what a woman “should” be, for instance. This means that these cases do far more than threaten LGBTQ workers’ rights, they threaten all workers’ rights. Because it turns out all workers — LGBTQ or not — who don’t conform to an employer’s views on gender could be at greater risk of being fired if these civil rights are rolled back.

• Our gif(t) to you: Five things to know about these cases with GIFs!
• Because there’s nothing like a good explainer: “The Supreme Court Showdown Over LGBTQ Discrimination, Explained.”
• Reminder: The Equality Act could help strengthen protections for LGBTQ people.
• If you’re in the Washington, D.C., area, come rally tomorrow at the Supreme Court!

#MeToo Turns Two

Two years ago next week, #MeToo went viral. One year ago, Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court after multiple allegations of sexual assault surfaced from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Debbie Ramirez, and Julie Swetnick. For many across the country, these two moments represent the contradictions inherent to the movement: Kavanaugh’s confirmation battle called for extraordinary strength and often pain, but also revealed our resiliency, power, and grace.

Last year’s truth remains: The Senate didn’t give the women a fair hearing. As we recently learned from a New York Times investigation, the FBI didn’t respond to any of the people who reached out to corroborate Ramirez’s story, nor to any of the people Ramirez named that may have been able to speak to it, nor to Senator Chris Coons (R-Del.) who offered relevant information. Today, we’re repeating our call: Congress must conduct a full and complete investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct against Brett Kavanaugh and the many ways the Senate process failed.

• Survivors have shouldered the burden of sharing their stories and calling for accountability for too long. It’s time for those in power to heed their calls: Here’s how.
• Sexual harassment is never okay. Tell Congress: Support robust protections against workplace harassment.
• Read our very own Fatima Goss Graves’ reflections: “I will never forget sitting just a few rows behind Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, watching her give testimony with unimaginable strength and grace. And I will never forget the power, anger, and generosity of the #MeToo movement that continues to grow stronger.”

FEATURED: BOY BYE

...to Georgia’s unconstitutional abortion ban! 🎉🎉🎉 A federal judge temporarily blocked Georgia’s six-week abortion ban, siding with the plaintiffs—including our very own Abortion Rights Project partner, the Feminist Women’s Health Center. The fight isn’t over but as a former Atlantan (current in my heart), I’m thrilled that for now people in Georgia will continue to be able to make the best decisions for their lives, futures, and families.

Must-Dos:

• The Trump administration is STILL trying to get out of collecting data around the wage gap, which is the first step to stopping pay discrimination. So we’re STILL demanding equal pay in the workplace. Join us!

Must-Reads:

• 721 attorneys. 3,680 requests for help. 160 funded cases. The Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, which we administer, is helping low-paid women across the country get the legal help they need.
• 40,000 child care providers in California can now bargain for better wages and better working conditions, thanks to a new law Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) just signed, giving some child care providers — predominantly women — in the state some union rights. That’s good news for child care providers, the children they take care of, and their families.
• Justicia para ella, justicia para todxs: It’s Latinx Heritage Month, and our staff came together to write about the harms the Latinx community faces, and how the community heals.

Your Feminist Moment of Joy

Hustlers. HUSTLERS. Can we talk plllleeeasseee talk about the movie “Hustlers”?

It wasn’t one moment of feminist joy, it was 110 MINUTES OF PURE FEMINIST JOY. From J-Lo’s iconic coat, to Cardi B and Lizzo and Sasha (her flute, of course), and Constance Wu’s everything, “Hustlers” is breaking box office records and breaking down how the Wall Street crash of 2008 hit women and women of color, the realities of child care, sexual harassment, and more.

But it’s also breaking down barriers. The film had the largest ever debut for a movie starring women of color (including Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, Cardi B, Lizzo, Keke Palmer, and more). And that, John, is a movie we’ll always hustle to the theaters to see.

Still not Sabrina,
Hannah Finnie
Senior Manager of Campaign and Digital Strategies
National Women’s Law Center