Strong Opinions Loosely Held Season 1 Episode 4 Women's Rights Get Sued

Women's rights have been a hot topic for decades, with many laws and policies being put in place to ensure gender equality. However, some people still believe that these laws infringe upon the rights of others, leading to lawsuits and court cases. In episode 4 of Strong Opinions Loosely Held, titled "Women's Rights Get Sued," host Elisa Kreisinger dives into the complexities of these legal battles and what they mean for women's rights today.

The episode begins with Kreisinger interviewing lawyer Jill Filipovic, who has worked on several high-profile cases involving women's rights. Filipovic explains how many of these lawsuits are aimed at rolling back progress that has been made in the fight for gender equality. For example, she cites cases where employers have claimed that they shouldn't have to cover their female employees' birth control, arguing that it goes against their religious beliefs.

Kreisinger then speaks with feminist writer Jessica Valenti, who shares her own experiences with lawsuits aimed at feminist activists and organizations. Valenti argues that these types of lawsuits are often frivolous and meant to intimidate women into silence. She also points out how the legal system is often stacked against women, particularly women of color and low-income women.

The episode goes on to explore several different cases, including the infamous Hobby Lobby case in which the Supreme Court ruled that corporations could opt out of providing birth control coverage to their employees. Kreisinger speaks with lawyer and writer Irin Carmon about how this case set a dangerous precedent for other lawsuits targeting women's reproductive rights.

The episode also looks at the recent #MeToo movement and how it has led to a wave of lawsuits against powerful men who have been accused of sexual harassment and assault. Kreisinger speaks with employment lawyer Lindsay Lieberman about the challenges of bringing these cases to court and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.

Throughout the episode, Kreisinger emphasizes how these lawsuits are not just about legal technicalities, but about the fundamental rights of women. She also highlights the ways in which women have fought back against these attacks on their rights, from organizing protests to sharing their stories online.

"Women's Rights Get Sued" is a powerful and timely exploration of a complex issue that affects millions of women around the world. Kreisinger's thoughtful interviews with legal experts and activists shed light on the many challenges facing the feminist movement, while also highlighting the resilience and strength of the women who continue to fight for their rights in the face of adversity.