Always good to give Paul Ryan the cold shoulder whenever possible
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The Resistance is alive and well in the halls of the Capitol. On Friday, congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) organized #SleevelessFriday in response to outdated (and vague) dress codes related to Speaker’s Lobby attire.
Thank you to all my colleagues who joined me for #SleevelessFriday — because women have the right to bare arms! pic.twitter.com/PhMEf2v4ZP
— Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) July 14, 2017
The outcry over enforcement of the old rule bubbled up on July 6th when Independent Journal Review reporter Haley Byrd tried to use pieces of her notebook paper to cover her shoulders, but was kicked out of the Speaker’s Lobby anyway. Other female colleagues also attested to similar treatment.
Can confirm I was warned the next time I would be removed https://t.co/M0BTcFYchO
— Kellie Mejdrich (@kelmej) July 6, 2017
This is real. Fellow female reporters barred from Speaker’s lobby for wearing sleeveless dresses while doing their jobs. (It’s hot in DC) https://t.co/8evY6wQmA8
— K Tully McManus (@ktullymcmanus) July 6, 2017
And while it’s worth noting that there are wardrobe limitations for both women and men in certain areas on Capitol Hill, women tend to be disproportionately impacted and unduly sexualized by dress codes. As Laura Bates, a co-founder of The Everyday Sexism Project, noted about the pervasiveness of this issue, “There’s a real culture being built up through some of these dress codes where girls are receiving very clear messages that male behavior, male entitlement to your body in public space is socially acceptable, but you will be punished.”
Love the new uniforms for women on Capitol Hill. pic.twitter.com/AxZoehm1cz
— Sarah Lerner (@SarahLerner) July 6, 2017
On Thursday, House Speaker Paul Ryan announced his intent to amend the rules, saying that its enforcement could “stand to be a bit modernized.” And women working in Congress made sure to underline this point on Friday.
On #SleevelessFriday @RepSpeier tells me she thinks House dress code had been selectively enforced & was not fair to females in press. pic.twitter.com/hue0ZIxCUh
— alison (@alisonnews) July 14, 2017
The House dress code must be updated to respect a woman’s right to bare arms – #SleevelessFriday pic.twitter.com/Oyjv22Wfqv
— Jan Schakowsky (@janschakowsky) July 14, 2017
When will the Speaker’s Lobby dress code allow sleeveless dresses? This is 2017, not 1817—women have a right to bare arms! #SleevelessFriday pic.twitter.com/HElFgIn47c
— Rep. Roybal-Allard (@RepRoybalAllard) July 14, 2017
…But it’s 2017 and women vote, hold office, + choose their own style. Time to update House Rules to reflect the times! #SleevelessFriday pic.twitter.com/hSJarEsKKy
— Chellie Pingree (@chelliepingree) July 14, 2017
Proud to join my colleagues for #SleevelessFriday! It’s time to modernize the dress code here at Cap. Women have the right to #BareArms! pic.twitter.com/WZ9xfVN5kN
— Rep. Lois Frankel (@RepLoisFrankel) July 14, 2017
Standing with my sisters in Congress for #SleevelessFriday! House dress code should reflect a modern women & respect our right to bare arms! pic.twitter.com/GYwXGySBoL
— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) July 14, 2017
Keep resisting and persisting, ladies!