Adele
25
(XL)
Adele still has it. She proved it with the first peek at this album when she released “Hello.” Some say she has gone too mainstream pop, and that might be true for one or two of the songs, but the album as a whole is great. It’s hard to top her previous album, 21, and I don’t think she does that here. However, it is still wonderful. Her voice has gone through hurdles and surgeries, but she still has the chops that captivated her fans. Though her voice is the highlight of her music, my favorite aspect of Adele’s work has always been her songwriting. She doesn’t disappoint. The album is slightly more optimistic than the heart-wrenching 21, and it’s a welcome change. My favorite songs are “I Miss You,” “Water Under the Bridge,” and “Million Years Ago.”
Andra Day
Cheers to the Fall
(Warner Bros.)
Thirty seconds into the first song on this album and I’m sold on Andra Day. She fills the hole that has been mostly empty since Amy Winehouse tragically passed away four years ago. Her voice reminds me a bit of Winehouse’s. Listen to the song “Only Love” to see why I say this. Every track that follows provides further proof. This album is perfectly bluesy and soulful. Day also manages to pull off a disco vibe in “Mistakes.” Do yourself a favor by checking this album out. It has no weak spots. My favorite songs are “Forever Mine” and “Honey or Fire.”
Troye Sivan
Wild EP
(Capitol/EMI Music Australia)
At age 20, Troye Sivan knows how to make an EP. The full-length album comes out in early December, and this six-track demo makes me impatient for it. Sivan an openly gay, multi-talented YouTube celebrity, also has a previous CD and a few mainstream movies under his belt, most notably X Men Origins: Wolverine. His musical style is subtle pop and electronic, and the album is slow and sexy, serious and hopeful. Sivan’s voice is delightfully crisp. He has captured the attention of notable artists like Taylor Swift, who raved about the Wild EP on Twitter. My favorite songs are “Ease,” “Wild” and “Be Quiet.”
Kylie
Christmas
(Parlophone/Warner Bros.)
Kylie Minogue has never really come to mind when I think of Christmas, but she might after listening to this oddly fun album. I assumed I would hate it, and I’m confused by the fact that I rather enjoyed it. I really liked her rendition of “Santa Baby,” which suits her vocal style. Although I’m not a huge fan of the slower and more serious songs, she really pulls off the more lighthearted tracks like “Let It Snow.” This album might not be for everyone, but if you want to add some upbeat zest to your holidays, give it a shot. My favorite songs are “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”
Abortion Rights
1. LGBTQ+ People Get Abortions
LGBTQ+ people get abortions.
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While straight women are often the focus of conversations about abortion, queer women, trans, nonbinary people, and intersex people get abortions, too. In fact, lesbian (22.8%) and bisexual (27.2%) women who have been pregnant are more likely to have had an abortion than heterosexual women (15.4%) who have been pregnant, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
2. The fight for abortion rights and the right to gender-affirming care are connected
LGBTQ+ people fighting for abortion rights
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Like attacks and bans on gender-affirming care across the country, abortion bans challenge the fundamental principle that everyone should have the ability to control their own body — free from outside interference or pressure, especially from politicians. Attacks on both gender-affirming care and abortion should remind us of the countless challenges LGBTQ+ communities, and other communities who are marginalized because of racism and discrimination, have overcome to assert their rights and claim their space. By championing reproductive rights, queer people can help dismantle oppressive systems that seek to control and limit personal agency, ultimately fostering a society where everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can thrive.
3. Abortion Stigma Damages Mental Health, Especially for Queer People
abortion and mental health
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Abortion stigma carries harmful mental health risks. Research shows that people who experience abortion stigma may face higher levels of psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is especially true for queer communities.
4. Abortion Bans Put Family Planning at Risk
Family Planning
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Many LGBTQ+ people look to assisted reproductive technology, adoptions, or surrogacies to start a family. Heightened restrictions for abortion and other reproductive health care could potentially harm queer peoples’ ability to make decisions with their own family planning. Support of abortion rights means LGBTQ+ people can have reproductive options and the flexibility to make decisions about their family planning — everything from abortion to IVF.
LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality go hand in hand as they both strive to stop discrimination and inequality. Access to legal abortions as well as reproductive rights are crucial in achieving gender equality. By fighting for abortion rights, the LGBTQ+ community advocates for bodily autonomy and reproductive choices, and takes a firm stance against gender-based discrimination and inequality. By championing reproductive rights, the LGBTQ+ community contributes to dismantling oppressive systems that seek to control and limit individuals' agency, ultimately fostering a society where all individuals, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can thrive and exercise their rights.
How to Get Involved
Real change can only be achieved through collective action and solidarity. While efforts to advance LGBTQ+ rights have progressed in recent years, these protections are not guaranteed. Engaging in the fight for abortion rights can help ensure a more equitable future for everyone. Visit Planned Parenthood to get involved.