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Wednesday, Sep 16, 2009 2:01 PM UTC

Are you there, blog? It’s me, Margaret

A new place to go to talk about Aunt Flo

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Topics: Broadsheet, Health, Love and Sex,

Just received a press release about a new blog by — who knew? — the Society for Menstrual Research, a nonprofit, interdisciplinary research organization founded in 1979 whose membership includes researchers in the social and health sciences, humanities scholars, healthcare providers, policymakers, health activists, and students with interests in the role of the menstrual cycle in women’s health and well-being, all of whom presumably get their periods at the same time. In any regard, it’s clearly someone’s creative time of the month, because here’s the release’s genius headline: “If it bleeds, it leads.”

The blog — called re: Cycling — is kind of a hoot. There is plenty to discuss (and not just about first-period stories, though that’s always a draw): a remedial menstruation lesson on Tyra; a supposedly girl-powerful HHS campaign that winds up being a whole lot of product placement; the gender switcheroo commercial “Zack at 16” (that blogger: not a fan); a new Jewish ritual (post-period) bath in rural Montana; a study suggesting (not so convincingly) that women at auctions bid higher than men when they have their periods; a discussion — hey! inspired by Broadsheet! — about why our culture is more squicked out by menstrual blood than by blood-and-gore blood; a shelving unit in the shape of a giant maxi pad. (No word on coordinating tampon lamps.)

In all seriousness, though I’m not a big period-power gal, I’m glad our little friends have a whole research society all their own — and that we have a place where we can observe the spot they occupy at the intersection of physiology and pop culture. Enjoy it daily! Or, you know, monthly. 

Lynn Harris

Award-winning journalist Lynn Harris is author of the comic novel "Death by Chick Lit" and co-creator of BreakupGirl.net. She also writes for the New York Times, Glamour, and many others. More Lynn Harris.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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