How MAHA Seized Hold of the Birth Control Conversation
Fifteen years ago, feminists started to voice their criticisms of hormonal contraception, hoping drug companies would take note. Instead it gave birth to a backlash.
Lux Alptraum
contributor
Lux Alptraum is a writer, author, and podcast host whose work has appeared in a range of publications, including The New York Times, New York Magazine, WIRED, Fortune, and more. Follow her on Bluesky at @luxalptraum.com
The Real Gaetz Story Is Less About Sex Trafficking, More About Poverty
The story of the former congressman’s victim — and the many underage sex workers and trafficking survivors like her — is tragic in no small part because of the dire economic circumstances that drove her to sex work.
The Complicated Politics Around Sex Work and the NYC Mayoral Race
Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has consistently supported decriminalizing sex work. So why has media coverage consistently misrepresented his position?
Mifepristone Reaches a Milestone Amid a Hostile Environment
Twenty-five years ago, a French medication developed in the 1980s called RU-486, now known as mifepristone, became available in the U.S. market. Since the Dobbs decision, it's helped make abortion more accessible — at least for now.
Are Zoomers … Prudish?
Until recently, the media bombarded us with cautionary tales about adolescent promiscuity. Now, they’re worrying about teens eschewing sex. Why do we wring our hands over the sex lives of young people?
When Survivors’ Language Is Misappropriated
“Gaslighting” and “love bombing” are part of a language survivors use to describe weapons in the arsenal abuse. But these words are becoming part of our national idiom — and losing their meaning.
Does It Matter Whether Plan B Is Contraception or an Abortifacient?
In the U.S., all matters relating to reproductive health, no matter how straightforward the science, become unnecessarily complicated by so-called morality. Perhaps the wrong questions are being asked.
How the Workplace Can Be a Safe Haven for Domestic Abuse Survivors
Navigating the demands of a job while trying to flee an abusive relationship can be near impossible due to safety and economic issues. One organization is working to fix this.
Was the #MeToo Backlash Inevitable?
Sex pests called out during #MeToo are being absolved and are trickling back into the spotlight. But the massive movement’s mission—to out and oust powerful abusers—proved to be unsustainable. Here’s what should have happened.
Our Biggest Health Care Risk Is Not a “Coat-Hanger Abortion”
At a time when health providers are being threatened with criminal charges even for tending to people having miscarriages, medical care has never been more inaccessible. Can we safely self-manage our health care?