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Eating disorders are difficult – not just for the sufferer, but admittedly for the people who care about that person, too. This is an article specifically for those of you who need a place to start, who are saying, “I know that my friend or family member has a history with an eating disorder. Now what?”

Are you using casual ableism in your everyday language? Many people do without realizing the impact of what they’re saying – so here’s Annie Elainey to clear things up.

A person of size in a bright, colorful dress has their hand covering half their face with an exasperated expression.

“You’re wearing that? You’re so brave!” It’s possible to fat shame someone without meaning to – so look out for these sneaky phrases that can cause more harm than good.

(Trigger warning: violence against women.) Misogyny is omnipresent in our society, but it has an especially widespread presence in video games. Female characters in games (if present at all) rarely play any significant role. Instead, they’re often reduced to background decoration used to advance the male protagonist’s journey — often through hypersexualized and/or violent means.

I remember it more clearly than I want to – the memory of being forced to acknowledge the illness that my diet had spiraled into. We were at a pizza place, my friend Rob* and I. Despite everything that was going on,the only topic that I had energy to talk about was calories. A grimace passed Rob’s face, and he looked me right in the eye when he said: “I think you have a problem.”

Society doesn’t want to blame men for making the choice to rape women. It wants to blame women for enabling men to make that choice and usually it succeeds. Rapists very rarely get to accept responsibility for their choice to rape. Even rape victims blame themselves for their rapist’s choice to rape them. So I spent between two or three decades feeling unable to tell anyone in case they wouldn’t believe me. (Trigger warning.)

Bisexual folks have been made the butt of so many jokes, have had their identities excluded from queer communities, and have been accused of perpetuating transphobia and the gender binary. But the castigation of bi identities from queer and gender non-conforming movements reinforces a prejudice that harms people across the gender and sexuality spectrum.

Dating is already difficult and nerve-wracking for some. But throw unaddressed, internalized white supremacy into an interracial romantic dynamic, and things can get really uncomfortable really quickly. Check out this comedic video to learn about – and avoid! – common racist tropes that many Black women experience while dating White men.

Trans folks are people, just like cis folks are. But the way some cis people talk to trans people implies otherwise. Disrespectful questions, trivialization of trans issues, conflation of gender identity and sexual preference all add up to the dehumanization of trans folks. Check out this video compilation of some of the most common transphobic microaggressions!

All men have been hurt by the traditional gender system. You may have accepted these realities as just part of being a guy. But feminists say that’s not right and men are more than that.

Abuse can include many things, including disrespect, controlling behavior, jealousy, or just being mean. Learn 10 different types of abusive personalities.

Before we can think about whether or not we’ve ever experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, we need to become familiar with different definitions and forms of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is intimidation of a sexual nature. It is any type of unwelcome sexual advance, from a crude joke to aggressive sexual bullying. And there are actions that you can take against it.

How do you look out for sexism when you’re dating? It can be hard to spot, so here are some subtle cues that may warn you to reconsider a next date with the person showing these signs.

When someone wants to tear apart my writing, they often bring up my presumed gender to do so. My presumed femaleness is never mentioned with respect. They say, “Stop being so easily offended, b*tch.” Femaleness is used to discredit me in a way that maleness is not. When I’m presumed male, my maleness never comes up at all. Because maleness is our societal default setting, it’s never mentioned.

Going to the gynecologist, as a trans man in a transphobic world, can be an incredibly uncomfortable and verbally violent experience. Consequently, many men avoid getting necessary medical services like pap smears—which could lead to a completely different discomfort. Here’s some advice on how to safely negotiate your pap test as a trans man.

Person in glasses and a blue shirt against a gray wall with their hand up, as if to say "Stop"

Language around trans women is constantly evolving. So if you’re a cis ally, let’s make sure you don’t use these phrases and accidentally cause harm.

Person is overwhelmed and confused

So you know that some people are non-binary – but do you know that these common (and harmful) myths about them are false?

Telling a woman to “play hard to get” might seem like helpful dating advice. But you’ll be surprised to know which sexist ideas you’re promoting when you suggest that.

Two chili peppers against a red background

The “spicy Latina” is curvaceous, loud, and seductive – and she’s probably influenced your idea of what it means to be Latina. This author’s experience shows why this stereotype is so terrible.

Person holding up a pill

Did you know that more birth control options could exist? Here’s what’s holding us back from them.