Stories by Sarah Seltzer

Sarah Seltzer is a freelance writer based in New York City. Her work has been published at the Nation, the Christian Science Monitor, Jezebel and the Washington Post. Follow her on Twitter at @sarahmseltzer and find her work at sarahmseltzer.com. subscribe to Sarah Seltzer's feed

Campus Rape Horror Stories Persist: How Can We Change the Status Quo?

Posted on: Apr 23, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Schools keep messing up how they handle rape cases. What gives, and what can we change?

Abortion in America: Here Are the Facts, 40 Years After Roe

Posted on: Jan 8, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Numbers and realities don't always reflect the rhetoric.

Stewart Rips GOP Congress for Delaying Sandy Aid

Posted on: Jan 8, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Back from vacation, host offers choice words to congressional Republicans, "If you guys can't vote for this, we're fucked for the next two years."

Gabby Giffords Takes on NRA, Announces Push for Gun Control

Posted on: Jan 8, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Injured congresswoman uses op-ed, Diane Sawyer appearance to take on NRA, fight for a curb on weapons.

Right Wing Gun Nuts Manipulate Data, Falsely Claim Hammers and Clubs More Deadly

Posted on: Jan 4, 2013, Source: AlterNet

Too bad the meme has been totally debunked

2012: The Second-Worst Year for Abortion Rights Since Roe

Posted on: Jan 4, 2013, Source: AlterNet

The GOP can't stop, won't stop, restricting a woman's right to choose.

Study: Booze Damages the Brain, Pot Does Not

Posted on: Dec 21, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Alcohol damaged teens' brain tissue; marijuana did not.

Rachel Maddow: The Conservative Movement is Just a "Complete Mess"

Posted on: Dec 21, 2012, Source: AlterNet

From Jim DeMint to "Plan B," Maddow on the GOP's meltdown.

3 Brave Women Who Risk Their Lives for Justice

Posted on: Dec 14, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Despite death threats, exile and violence, activists remain undeterred.

26 Killed At Connecticut Elementary School, 20 of Them Children: Can We Ever Talk About Gun Control?

Posted on: Dec 14, 2012, Source: AlterNet

A school shooting worse than Columbine, this time affecting children as young as kindergarten, at the end of a year of deadly mass shootings.

In Landmark Ruling, European Court Sides With Torture Victim; Slams CIA's Rendition Program

Posted on: Dec 14, 2012, Source: AlterNet

European Court of Human Rights rules in favor of a German car salesman kidnapped and "interrogated" as suspected terrorist, uses WikiLeaked docs as evidence.

New Law Makes Commercials Quieter

Posted on: Dec 14, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The CALM act mandates that commercials be no louder than the television shows they accompany. Thanks, I guess?

10 Best Countries In Which To Be Born in 2013 (Hint: America Isn't One Of Them)

Posted on: Dec 9, 2012, Source: AlterNet

A new quality-of-life index shows that when it comes to the best place to be born in 2013, the US is way behind.

Anti-LGBT Donor Has Ties to White Supremacist and Secession Groups

Posted on: Dec 7, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Activists are pressuring a group opposed to marriage equality to return the cash.

What Happens When Journalists Cover Someone Who Later Commits Suicide?

Posted on: Dec 7, 2012, Source: AlterNet

A recent case has brought this most difficult of journalistic issues to the fore.

'Crisis Pregnancy Center' that Made Couples Study the Bible Now Suing for Taxpayer Dollars

Posted on: Nov 30, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Controversial center is looking for a federal loan to build its operation.

Hazing Epidemic Continues: Coach Reportedly Witnessed Sexual Assault, Congratulated Victim

Posted on: Nov 30, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Multiple lawsuits reveal culture of disturbing "hazing" at Illinois high school.

5 States Where GOP Extremists Are Pushing Repugnant Anti-Women Laws

Posted on: Nov 28, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Some GOPers are continuing to fight the same noxious battles, in some cases putting women’s access at risk.

Occupy's Rolling Jubilee Has Raised Enough to Forgive Almost $7 Million of Debt

Posted on: Nov 16, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Symbolic OWS action will have real-world consequences: less debt.

No Heat, No Electricity -- Desperate New Yorkers Beg for Help Post Sandy

Posted on: Nov 16, 2012, Source: AlterNet

While victims and volunteers look to government, Madonna moons fans to get them to donate.

Woman Dies After Being Denied Abortion: When Religious Rules Trump Science

Posted on: Nov 14, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Ireland's anti-choice policies lead to a woman's death, and to domestic and international outcry.

Red Staters (and More) Already Talking Secession After Obama Victory

Posted on: Nov 12, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Petitions for secession popping up on White House site, while Texas Tea Partier talks withdrawal from union.

MSNBC Making Moves Against Fox, While Right-Wingers Revolt Against Conservative Media

Posted on: Nov 12, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The downfall of Fox may be the story of the election.

Occupy to Buy Up and Relieve People's Debt?

Posted on: Nov 10, 2012, Source: AlterNet

New movement will raise money to buy debt--and then relieve it.

The 5 Most Sexist Moments of the Campaign

Posted on: Nov 9, 2012, Source: AlterNet

It wasn't just GOP candidates being sexist; the media and even Democrats targeted female candidates with questionable language and ads.

Florida to Grade Black Students on a Different Scale Than White Students?

Posted on: Nov 9, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Instead of trying to fight the racism evidenced by educational gaps, Florida will institute different standards for black, white students.

12-Year-Old Rape Victim Called "Negligent" and "Careless" by School District in Legal Papers

Posted on: Nov 2, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Rape culture shows up in California legal filings.

"Please Don't Leave Us!" NYers Desperate for Help -- Latest Sandy Updates, What You Can Do

Posted on: Nov 2, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Staten Island, Breezy Point, Red Hook and Long Beach are in danger of a real a disaster.

The 5 Worst Reactions to Sandy

Posted on: Oct 31, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Disasters very often bring out the best neighborly instincts in people, but they also bring out some terrible comments and reactions.

The Power Outage Didn't Divide NYC: Income Inequality Did

Posted on: Oct 31, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The line wasn't between those with electricity and those without, but between those who had recourse and those who didn't.

Report: Romney Blocked Birth Certificates for Kids of Gay Families

Posted on: Oct 26, 2012, Source: AlterNet

New report shows yet another example of discriminatory practices in the Governor's office.

Tina Fey Unleashes Her Wrath on Akin and GOP Rape Apologists

Posted on: Oct 26, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Comedian asks: "what is happening? Am I a secretary on Mad Men?"

Right Wing Pitches Fit Over "Girls" Star Lena Dunham's Funny Obama Ad

Posted on: Oct 26, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Dunham's ad contains mild innuendo. Cue GOP freakout in 3, 2, 1...

Why Right-Wingers Can't Stop Saying Insane Things About Women and Rape

Posted on: Oct 24, 2012, Source: AlterNet

There are reasons why extremists with little regard for women’s social equality feel empowered to say whatever comes to mind.

Colbert, Stewart Skewer Paul Ryan's Soup Kitchen Fake Photo-Op

Posted on: Oct 17, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Only Paul Ryan's team could make volunteering at a homeless shelter look bad.

CNN Anchor Clashes with Anti-Gay Activist; Tosses Him From the Show

Posted on: Oct 17, 2012, Source: AlterNet

After he says a tolerance program is like "poisoned Halloween candy" she says, "buh-bye"

Romney's "Binder Full of Women Story" May Be Funny; It's Also Not True

Posted on: Oct 17, 2012, Source: AlterNet

The then-Governor didn't seek out women candidates for his cabinet; they were presented to him, sources say.

Heaven Is Real; Is God Dead? 5 Controversial and Ridiculous Magazine Covers

Posted on: Oct 17, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Using controversial images about race, gender and religion helps sell copies. But does it help readers?

Skinny Minnie? Our Culture's Bizarre Obsession With Stick-Thin Women

Posted on: Oct 16, 2012, Source: AlterNet

An impossibly thin Minnie Mouse shows that the assault on healthy self-image continues. But so does the pushback.

4 Right-Wing Sex Panics Debunked by Reality

Posted on: Oct 12, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Conservatives and the media are obsessed with the idea that everything will lead to more sex. They're wrong.

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