Two girls giggle by a clothes rack that reads “Women’s long sleeves,” clothes draped across their arms as they weave through shelves of semi-worn garments. A schoolgirl with a bulky book bag peeks over at the tattered record section while waiting in line for the fitting room. A guy convinces his friend to buy the […]
Social Justice
Animal Testing Is Inaccurate and Scientists Should Use Alternative Methods
Here’s something you probably don’t know: over 90% of drugs that prove safe and effective in animal trials fail when they’re tried on humans. In 30% of those cases, the failure is because of harmful side effects, but the other 60% flop simply because humans are different from mice, dogs, and other species widely used […]
From Catwalk to Cause: The story of Julie Anderson’s “Feminine Collective”
This is the story of Julie Anderson, a supermodel and the creator of Feminine Collective, a place for women to share their stories as the antithesis of what mainstream media offers women today. The story delves deep into Julie’s childhood and career, and how she established Feminine Collective from her experience.
A Lifelong Fight: Navy Veteran Alex Miller’s Journey through War, Homelessness, and Trauma
Alex Miller recognizes that he has beat the odds. “Statistics aren’t on any of our sides,” said the 37-year-old U.S. Navy veteran turned New York writer. “Most Black people sink to the bottom. I don’t know how many actually make it out.” For most of his life, Miller fought to escape the destructive effects of […]
The Hidden Hunger of Transgender Men
On a hazy morning in April, Daniel-José Cyan, a 26-year-old from the Bronx, opens his deserted fridge to find a single piece of moldy mozzarella cheese. He holds it up to the light and knowing he had to eat something, against his better judgment, takes a bite. “Even looking in the fridge can cause me […]
From Empty Glasses to Open Pages: Queer Bookstores Are Changing the Narrative
For at least a century, LGBTQ people have found bars indispensable places to meet friends and lovers, organize politically, feel safe, and let loose. But in the past few decades, gay bars in the US and around the world have been closing at a steady rate, from a complex mix of factors that social scientists are […]
Beyond Barbie: How Art Could Save Your Vulva – and Your Sex Life
Sophie Sandberg stands in the dim light of her bedroom, holding a mirror between her legs, trying to get a clear look at the shape of her vulva. “I remember thinking it wasn’t how it was supposed to look,” she says. “And it wasn’t attractive. There were different colors. And being 14 at the time, […]
Environmental activist Heeta Thakkar believes the government is beautiful
“Living in NYC, our government is honestly so beautiful,” says Environmental Activist Heeta Thakkar, who founded Zero Waste Schools (ZWS), a student-run organization that provides waste management solutions to NYC schools. Thakkar’s appearance is unassuming—a pair of blue jeans and a black winter coat hardly indicative of the fire in her belly. But her ambition […]
Abortions Covered in Full By NYU Health Insurance Starting This Fall
Students at NYU interviewed this past weekend were relieved to learn that abortions will now be fully covered by the university-sponsored health insurance plan starting in fall 2023, whether the procedure is elective or medically necessary. “It makes me feel a lot safer, the fact that I know I could get one if need be […]
Biologists’ Battle Against Marine Debris In South Florida to Save Sea Turtles
It takes place in the Biscayne National Park, Southern Florida, where tons of trash from all around the world were washed to the remote islands in the park. Morgan Wagner and Vanessa Walsh are two biologists who work in the park. Besides the scientific research they are responsible for, they also need to organize trash […]