Some of the state laws included in this toolkit are based on sexist constructs — most often the notion that women need to be excessively protected because they are inherently weaker or more delicate than men. This harms women by robbing them of agency, and it harms men by imposing upon them the roles of both protector and aggressor. We take issue with this framing, but the laws are included here because our objective is to make the relevant statues accessible to everyone.
While street harassment is most often directed at women by men, some men, especially transgender individuals and members of the LGBTQ community, experience harassment as well.
The women authors of this guide are not advocating for laws that protect us as women —we’re advocating for laws that protect everyone. If you find a law in your state that is problematic — or problematically enforced — we encourage you to take action to change it. You can contact us for help.
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