Longform Editorial
'In the Mirror, What I Saw Was a Monster': Living with Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Those who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) fixate obsessively on one or more perceived flaws in their appearance, resulting in depression and social anxiety—and, in extreme cases, thoughts of suicide. But despite the severity of the condition...
The Infuriating History of White Women Voting Against Women’s Rights
Since the 80s, people have thought that women, as a unit, vote more liberally than men. While this is generally true, white women have a storied history of defying this trend, voting for Republican candidates against their own best interests.
In Hong Kong, Accessing Abortion Is Difficult, Expensive, and Dangerous
Legal restrictions, overcrowded public hospitals, and steep private clinic prices often prevent young women in Hong Kong from terminating their pregnancies safely. For many, the only viable option is to cross the border into mainland China, where a...
I Spent a Weekend in Stars Hollow with Thousands of Obsessive Gilmore Girls Fans
Washington, Connecticut is known for being the inspiration for Stars Hollow, the idyllic town in which "Gilmore Girls" is set. I made a pilgrimage there—along with 1500 other people—to honor our impossibly chipper, coffee-swilling TV gods.
The Legend of Goddess Bunny, Hollywood's Forgotten, Disabled, Trans Art Star
The Goddess Bunny entertained generations of gay punks through her tap dancing, film roles, and avant-garde performances. I assumed she had died—until one of her adopted "sons" sent me a message, asking me to tell her story.
Boneghazi: How a Grave-Robbing Controversy Tore an Online Witch Community Apart
A year ago, a lone necromancer posted in a queer witch group on Facebook, offering to ship some human bones they'd discovered in a walk through the cemetery across state lines. What transpired next left the witch community fragmented—and resulted in...
How a Harrowing Photo of One Woman's Death Became an Iconic Pro-Choice Symbol
In 1973, Ms. magazine published a haunting photo of a woman named Gerri Santoro, who'd died of a back-alley abortion. At the time, no one could have predicted what an impact it would have on the pro-choice movement.
Bold and Beautiful: Behind the Scenes at America's Biggest Trans Beauty Pageant
For the first time in its history, the Queen USA transgender beauty pageant awarded a national title. With talent from across the country and celebrity judges like Caitlyn Jenner and Kelly Osbourne, the event aims to raise funding for healthcare for...
'The Palate of the Common Man': The Oral History of The Cheesecake Factory
The women and men behind the Cheesecake Factory reveal the untold story of how a tiny Beverly Hills restaurant known for its brown bread became a global chain mentioned in Drake songs and on "Keeping up with the Kardashians."
How an Extremist Anti-Abortion Protest Resulted in a Safe Haven for Women
In 2015, a radical anti-abortion group tried to establish a headquarters in a vacant house next door to the only remaining abortion clinic in Montgomery, Alabama. Their plan backfired—and the building is now a safe haven for patients and pro-choice...
The Grandma Suing a Utah Prison Over Her Teenage Grandson's Suicide
Janet Crane alleges her intellectually disabled grandson spent most of his life being bullied, beaten and abused in various Utah facilities. Now she's fighting for justice.
'I Hope You Get Raped Again': The Threats You Face as a Woman in Sports Media
For many women in sports reporting, daily sexist harassment and death threats are part of the job.