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A Female Judge Just Blocked Trump's Attempt to Rescind the Birth Control Mandate


For a lot of women—particularly those of child-bearing age—one of the best parts of former President Barack Obama‘s Affordable Care Act is the fact that employers are required to offer free birth control to employees through their health insurance policies. Keeping in mind the high cost of the Pill, IUDs, and other forms of contraception, the news that they would now be totally covered came as a huge breath of fresh air, reducing stress for women worried about how they’d scrape together another $100 for next month’s Pill pack or dissuaded by the cost of longer-term options—even if those ultimately worked better for them. (Reminder: There is no one-size-fits-all option for contraception.)

The one type of employer currently excluded from this mandate are religious organizations. However, President Donald Trump, via the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, attempted to undo the entire requirement by issuing a change in policy in October—until a female judge on Friday put a temporary stop to it.

Word that Trump would try to undo Obama’s birth control mandate has been floating around since the end of May, when Vox got a leaked document saying that all employers—not just religious organizations—would be able to apply for a religious or moral exemption. Trump administration lawyers say that the change in policy protects “a narrow class of sincere religious and moral objectors from being forced to facilitate practices that conflict with their beliefs.”

Luckily, a federal judge in Pennsylvania stopped Trump’s attempt in its tracks by issuing an injunction on Friday that orders the administration not to enforce the change in policy. Appointed by Obama, the judge, Wendy Beetlestone, wrote in her ruling that Trump’s rules “conjured up a world where a government entity is empowered to impose its own version of morality on each one of us. That cannot be right.”

The downside is that her injunction is only temporary, but the upside is that for now, our free birth control is safe.

Related Stories:
–Here’s How to Send Donald Trump Your Birth Control ‘Bill’
–The Trump Administration Just Quietly Cut $214 Million From Teen Birth Control Programs
–Get Ready: President Trump Is About to Make Birth Control a Lot More Expensive



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'Big Little Lies' Season 2 Is Officially Happening—With a Female Director


After months of rumors, speculation, and false starts, it’s official: HBO’s hit limited series Big Little Lies is coming back for a second season. Yes, you read that correctly. Madeline Martha Mackenzie and her band of Monterrey mothers are returning for seven more episodes of delicious, female-focused drama. And this time, a female director, Andrea Arnold (who’s responsible for the 2016 acclaimed indie drama American Honey), will helm the entire thing.

“I’m thrilled to be bringing back this talented team of artists,” Reese Witherspoon said in a statement from HBO. “It gives us the opportunity to delve deeper into the lives of these intriguing and intricate Monterey families and bring more of their stories back to the audience who embraced and championed them. I’m beyond excited to be working with talented and acclaimed director Andrea Arnold who will be at the helm. Andrea’s unique storytelling style will be a welcome addition to the filmmaking team.”

Arnold’s participation is perhaps the most exciting part of this announcement—besides, ya know, the fact Big Little Lies season two is happening at all. The first season of the show swept the Emmy Awards this year and was lauded for its dedication to telling nuanced, raw female stories. It only makes sense that a female director take the reins this time around to make sure these women’s stories are fully realized.

David E. Kelley, who wrote the screenplays for the first season, will also write the scripts this time around. The plot was partially conceived by Liane Moriarty, who wrote the original Big Little Lies novel.

“This is inspired by the overwhelming response by audiences around the world, conceived once again by Liane Moriarty, realized by David Kelley, and now in the hands of visionary filmmaker Andrea Arnold,” Nicole Kidman said in HBO’s statement. “What a journey this has been. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to keep exploring these female characters and make this series with my friends.”

At this point, only Kidman and Witherspoon are confirmed to star. However, HBO notes most of the cast is expected to return and negotiations are currently happening. Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz, and Alexander Skarsgård were the other stars of season one, though it seems unlikely Skarsgård would come back because—spoiler alert—his character died.

When Big Little Lies season two will premiere is a mystery at this point, but we’re sure it’ll be worth the wait.

Related Stories:

Liane Moriarty Reveals the Domestic Abuse in Big Little Lies Is Based on Real Events

Big Little Lies Season Two Story Lines Are in the Works

Riverdale Totally Referenced Big Little Lies on This Week’s Episode



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The Winners of Our #NewView Film Competition Convinced Us That The Future Of Film Is Female


In the year 2017, just 11 percent of the directors of Hollywood’s top-grossing films are women. How crazy is that? Yet, Patty Jenkins‘ Wonder Woman earned $821 million in box office sales, and proved to us and the world that women are more than capable of creating a successful AF film. So Glamour set out to help improve those measly numbers. We partnered with Girlgaze to launch the #NewView film competition, which provides young aspiring female directors with the ultimate prize: a chance to direct their own work. Meet our five winners, picked by epic judges (Shonda Rhimes, Zendaya, and more!) and watch their inspiring videos below.

Party Dress

Party Dress

Directed by Molly Fisher

What the director says:
“It’s a short film about Harper Klein, a 12-year-old tomboy who attends a birthday party in a pink party dress,” says Brooklyn director Molly Fisher, 30. “While it’s not necessary autobiographical, the story is extremely personal: I was once a melancholy tomboy who didn’t fit in to the girl cliques or the boy cliques.”

What the judges loved:
“This humanizes the struggle some feel when they don’t fit in their body.”
—Gia Coppola, filmmaker

“Beautifully and heartbreakingly told…. Tender and real, with a great lead performance.”
—Geena Davis, actor, founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media

What she won:
Molly will direct a fashion video for South Coast Plaza with a $5,000 minimum production budget, with at least 10% of the total approved cost to be paid to Molly as her fee.

The Looking Ceremony

The Looking Ceremony

Directed by Fany de la Chica

What the director says:
“This film follows Isa, a real gypsy living in Andalusia, Spain, as she experiences a tradition in which older women in her family confirm her virginity,” says New York City director Fany de la Chica, 33. “She must decide whether she marries her fiancé or escapes with her true love.”

What the judges loved:
“These enforced traditions are hard to break free of, so I was moved by the context of the local women in this film.”
—Amanda de Cadenet, CEO and founder, Girlgaze

“A stunningly portrayed compelling perspective and peek into a young woman’s life struggling to find her own path.”
—Chloë Grace Moretz, actress and activist

“I love how it portrays a culture with strong traditions, but with a modern protagonist taking her destiny into her own hands.”
—Crystal Moselle, filmmaker

What she won:
Fany will shoot a video for THEOUTNET.com with a minimum production budget of $40,000 with at least 5% of the total approved cost to be paid to Fany as her fee.

Q.U.E.E.N.

Q.U.E.E.N.

Directed by Brittany “B.Monét” Fennell

What the director says:
“Q.U.E.E.N. follows 16-year-old Imani, who struggles to find her voice,” says director Brittany “B.Monét” Fennell, 27. “Through self-discovery and a little bit of courage, she faces her biggest fears at a rap battle.”

What the judges loved:
“I love the raw talent the girl demonstrates while exposing the harsh truth that not every battle can be won.”
—Bela Bajaria, vice president of content acquisition, Netflix

“It crackles with personality and originality while it takes us on an emotional journey in such an impressively short amount of time.”
—Shonda Rhimes, writer, producer

“B.Monét manages to break my heart in two and a half minutes with the moving mother-daughter relationship at the core of this piece.”
—Jill Soloway, artist

What she won:
Brittany “B.Monét” Fennell will shoot a LuMee video with the theme “2 Sides to Every Story,” using LuMee lighting and a minimum production budget of $5,000, with at least 10% of the total approved production cost to be paid to Brittany.

Pocket-Sized Feminism

Pocket-Sized Feminism

Directed by Valerie Schenkman

What the director says:
“The spoken-word piece ‘Pocket-Sized Feminism’, by Blythe Baird, felt like a rally call,” says Chilean American director Valerie Schenkman, 30. “This documentary shows women reading the poem to camera paired with footage from the D.C. Women’s March. It shows that women will mobilize to speak their truths.”

What the judges loved:
“It touched on the issues women face, through the strong and relatable voices of our mothers, sisters, and friends.”
—Lilly Singh, entertainer

“It showcases our unity versus our division.”
—Regina K. Scully, producer, documentary filmmaker, and founder and CEO of the Artemis Rising Foundation

What she won:
Valerie will shoot a Birchbox promotional video with a minimum production budget of $5,000, with at least 10% of the total approved production cost to be paid to Valerie as her fee.

The Black Mambas

The Black Mambas

Directed by Jess Colquhoun

What the director says:
“I tell the story of Leitah, a 23-year-old mother who is part of the South African anti-poaching unit The Black Mambas,” says director Jess Colquhoun, 24, of the documentary. “I was in awe of the fact that night and day, rain or shine, these group of unarmed woman act as the park’s ear and eyes to any sign of danger.”

What the judges loved:
“Having been to the bush in Africa, I found it captured the beauty and power of the women who protect it.”
—Jada Pinkett Smith, actress, producer, and activist

“The Black Mambas shows brave women doing what women can do.”
—Sheila Nevins, president of documentary films and family programming, HBO

“She reflected a rarely seen point of view on an untapped storyline.”
—Victoria Mahoney, director

What she won:
Jess will shoot a 2018 Glamour Women of the Year-related video with a minimum production budget of $5,000, with at least 10% of the total approved production cost to be paid to Jess as her fee.

About #NewView
These incredible films were selected from more than 800 entries. In addition to receiving a $3,000 prize, our winners will be directing short films
for our #NewView sponsors Birchbox, LuMee, THEOUTNET.COM, and South Coast Plaza as well as Glamour. The Utah Film Center also awarded each honoree $5,000. Special thanks to our entrepreneurial adviser, Katia Beauchamp, and all of our judges: Amanda de Cadenet, Amandla Stenberg, Bela Bajaria, Chloë Grace Moretz, Cindi Leive, Crystal Moselle, Dawn Ostroff, Dee Rees, Ellen Kuras, Geena Davis, Gia Coppola, Inez van Lamsweerde, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jill Soloway, Kimberly Peirce, Lilly Singh, Rashida Jones, Regina K. Scully, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Sheila Nevins, Shonda Rhimes, Tracee Ellis Ross, Victoria Mahoney, Zendaya.



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Matt Lauer Once Gave a Female Coworker a Sex Toy As a Gift, According to a New Bombshell Report


As the post-Weinstein reckoning rages on, longstanding Today show anchor Matt Lauer is the latest prominent man in media to be fired for sexual misconduct.

On Wednesday morning, NBC announced that Lauer had been terminated. In a memo to company employees, NBC News Chairman Andy Lack wrote that the decision stemmed from “a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer” and revealed that though this was the first of its kind, “we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.”

Shortly after the news broke, Variety‘s New York Bureau Chief Ramin Setoodeh ‏tweeted that he and reporter Elizabeth Wagmeister had spent two months investigating “serious sexual harassment allegations” against the Today host, and NBC was aware of their work. Within hours of NBC’s announcement, Variety published their report and revealed numerous disturbing allegations of sexual harassment against Lauer.

Three women spoke to the publication—choosing to remain unnamed for fear of career retaliation—and their accounts were corroborated by friends and colleagues. One of the women said she once received a sex toy from the former anchor, who also detailed how he would want to use it on her in an “explicit note.” Another said Lauer once called her into his office, dropped his pants, and exposed himself to her—then chastised her when she refused to engage in a sexual act. And numerous Today employees said it was well-known that Lauer often made lewd comments to female colleagues, be it asking them who they’d slept with or telling them which fellow co-hosts he wanted to sleep with during rounds of “fuck, marry, kill.”

Per Variety, the complaint that resulted in Lauer’s termination stemmed from an incident that first occurred during the 2014 Sochi Olympics and continued for several months. On Monday, an NBC employee met with human resources about the continued encounters and the network quickly took action—but others say that past complaints “fell on deaf ears given the lucrative advertising surrounding Today.”

According to the bombshell report, Lauer’s office was fashioned with a button under his desk that “allowed him to lock his door from the inside without getting up.” This gave him the power to initiate sexual contact with female employees without fear of someone walking in, two women told Variety. And when Lauer was traveling on assignment, he would often fixate on young women on staff, often inviting them back to his hotel rooms.

“There were a lot of consensual relationships, but that’s still a problem because of the power he held,” a former producer told Variety. “He couldn’t sleep around town with celebrities or on the road with random people, because he’s Matt Lauer and he’s married. So he’d have to do it within his stable, where he exerted power, and he knew people wouldn’t ever complain.”

Lauer’s former Today co-hosts addressed the possibility of additional allegations coming forward as they announced the news Wednesday morning.

“As I’m sure you can imagine, we are devastated and we are still processing all of this,” Savannah Guthrie said to viewers at the top of the broadcast. “I will tell you right now we do not know more than what I just shared with you, but we will be covering this story as reporters, as journalists. I’m sure we will be learning more details in the hours and days to come. And we promise we will share that with you.”

Though Guthrie said she was “heartbroken” for her former colleague, she also made clear that she was similarly distraught for “the brave colleague who came forward to tell her story and any other women who have their own stories to tell.”

“This reckoning that so many organizations have been going through is important, it’s long overdue and it must result in workplaces where all women—all people—feel safe and respected,” Guthrie added.





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Al Franken's Female 'SNL' Colleagues Wrote a Letter to 'Stand Up' for Him


Less than a week after Lena Dunham had to apologize for defending Girls writer Murray Miller against accusations of sexual assault, 36 women from former Saturday Night Live casts have written a letter in support of senator Al Franken.

The senator and SNL alum was accused of alleged sexual harassment and groping by radio host Leeann Tweeden last week, who also shared a photo of Franken grinning while groping her. A few days later, another woman, Lindsay Menz, came forward claiming he grabbed her at a state fair during a photo, including a picture of the alleged exchange. Franken has since apologized to Tweeden and called for an ethics investigation, while telling CNN he does not recall the incident with Menz, but feels badly about her feeling “disrespected.”

Now, the senator’s female colleagues from SNL have written a letter supporting him, saying he never sexually harassed them and applauding him for his apology to Tweeden. It reads:

We feel compelled to stand up for Al Franken, whom we have all had the
pleasure of working with over the years on Saturday Night Live (SNL).

What Al did was stupid and foolish, and we think it was appropriate
for him to apologize to Ms. Tweeden, and to the public. In our
experience, we know Al as a devoted and dedicated family man, a
wonderful comedic performer, and an honorable public servant. That is
why we are moved to quickly and directly affirm that after years of
working with him, we would like to acknowledge that not one of us ever
experienced any inappropriate behavior; and mention our sincere
appreciation that he treated each of us with the utmost respect and
regard.

We send our support and gratitude to Al and his family this
Thanksgiving and holiday season.

The letter is signed by 36 women who include former SNL writers, production assistants, producers, and cast members. Although NBC made the letter public on Monday morning, it’s already been harshly criticized. Twitter users have particularly zoomed in on the section about “inappropriate behavior,” saying that Franken not harassing his colleagues doesn’t preclude him from harassing someone else. Others have compared the letter to Dunham’s defense of Miller and the slew of female Fox News anchors who defended Roger Ailes, who resigned following allegations of sexual harassment.





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Reformation Cast Female Leaders in Male-Dominated Industries in Its Latest Campaign


Reformation‘s collection of holiday-ready party dresses is here—and instead of photographing models in the luxe maxis and jumpsuits, the brand cast women who are leaders in a variety of male-dominated fields to front its campaign, bringing a new meaning to power-dressing.

“We’ve always admired like-minded women who get sh*t done and make a big impact in whatever field they’re in,” Reformation founder Yael Aflalo tells Glamour. “So we wanted to celebrate a group of ladies who share that passion for leadership and change.” The cast includes a venture capitalist, a banker, an engineer, and an entertainment and fashion lawyer. Not too shabby.

“I think our customers are already modern women who are on the way to accomplish great things in life, if they haven’t already,” Aflalo says. “But maybe campaigns like this can make them feel inspired to make an impact in this world, and remind them that being smart and successful is super hot. The pretty dress is just a cherry on top.” ‘

All four campaign stars are wearing the brand’s Holiday Collection, which just launched online. The Layley dress, which retails for $248, is modeled by Kirsten, who founded her own venture capital firm.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Reformation

Katy, a banker who works with companies invested in social and environmental causes, wears the Olivine dress, which goes for $278.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Reformation

Kate, meanwhile, the branch chief of operations for engineering “at a certain space agency,” dons the Pleated Maxi dress ($428.)

PHOTO: Courtesy of Reformation

The Jasper top ($98) and Clint pant, $178, are worn by Jamie, who works as a top entertainment and fashion attorney.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Reformation

“Our goal is to design beautiful, sustainable clothing that makes women feel confident, sexy and powerful from the inside out,” Aflalo says. “We do think clothes have the power to make you feel a bit more confident. Power dressing is not as much about what you’re wearing, like a business suit vs a backless dress, but more about how it makes you feel.”

You can shop Reformation’s Holiday Collection here.

See More:

Reformation Is Launching an Affordable Sister Line—and Everything’s Under $150

Victoria’s Secret Angel Lais Ribeiro Reveals The $2 Million 2017 Champagne Nights Fantasy Bra

20 Logo-Heavy Pieces That’ll Make You Feel Like a Street-Style Star

Wait, You Can Now Rent Clothes From Ann Taylor For $95 a Month



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