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"NUMTinder" – An online dating group exclusively for people who are really into public transit. The wheels on the bus are a real turn on, apparently.

Arkansas

The Story

New laws in Arkansas are raising alarms for the LGBTQ+ community.

What's going on?

Last week, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signed a bill into law allowing health care workers to refuse treatment on moral or religious grounds. It's known as a "conscience" or "refusal" law. Since the 1970s, such laws have let health care officials say 'I'll pass' on performing (or helping perform) abortions or other procedures that go against their religious or moral beliefs. At least 46 states have refusal laws – and former President Trump tried to implement a similar rule nationwide in 2019. Now, new versions of these laws could be targeting LGBTQ+ patients.

How so?

Starting this summer, health care providers in Arkansas can legally decline to perform non-emergency procedures that violate their beliefs. Meaning, pharmacists could refuse to fill birth control or PrEP prescriptions, doctors could reject giving hormone treatments or performing gender reassignment surgery, and counselors could decline therapy to a same-sex couple.

What are people saying?

Critics like the Human Rights Campaign, the ACLU, and the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce say it targets an already vulnerable group and could exacerbate the discrimination in health care the LGBTQ+ community already faces. Gov. Hutchinson defended the new measure, saying it doesn't target a specific group of people – just certain services. And reminded people that there are federal laws banning discrimination on the basis of sex and gender. But this isn't the only law Arkansas has passed against the LGBTQ+ community.

What do you mean?

Like Mississippi and Tennessee, last week, Gov. Hutchinson also signed a law banning transgender women and girls from playing on women's sports teams. He said it would "promote and maintain fairness." (Because all sports play fair, right NCAA?) And yesterday, Arkansas lawmakers passed a bill that would ban gender-affirming medical care to transgender youth (think: puberty blockers, transition surgery). If the governor signs it, Arkansas will be the first state in the country to approve such a ban. But at least 25 states have intro'd over 60 bills targeting trans youth just this year.

theSkimm

Amid a pandemic and a growing mental health crisis, new laws across the country are targeting a community that already faces severe discrimination. And in Arkansas, that means going so far as to potentially block treatment that could mean life or death for some people.

History of Anti-Asian Racism in the US

Two weeks ago today, a gunman killed eight people at three spas in or near Atlanta. Six of the victims were women of Asian descent. The news rattled the country, especially as major cities across the nation saw a nearly 150% rise in anti-Asian hate crimes last year.

All of this has sparked calls to "Stop Asian Hate" and Americans across the country are showing up to support the Asian American Pacific Islander community.

And one way to do that is by understanding the long history of discrimination the AAPI community has faced in the US and utilizing the resources here to do something about it.

And Also...This

What people are plugged into…

Derek Chauvin's trial. Yesterday, it began with opening statements in Minneapolis. Chauvin's accused of killing 46-year-old George Floyd when he pinned him to the ground and knelt on his neck for about nine minutes last Memorial Day. Before the trial started, Floyd's family and lawyers knelt in front of the courthouse for that amount of time. And one of the family lawyers called the trial a "referendum on how far America has come" in its fight for equality and justice. Here's what happened:

• Witnesses: Three people testified yesterday. Including a 911 dispatcher who saw live video of Floyd's arrest. She said she called the supervising sergeant because something felt wrong. And thought the video was "frozen" because officers restrained Floyd for so long.

• The defense: They tried to discredit the dispatcher. And said Chauvin did "exactly what he had been trained to do." They claimed there was no evidence Floyd's airflow was restricted, and that the autopsy showed he had underlying health conditions (like hypertension).

• The prosecution: They showed a video of police restraining Floyd. And let the jury hear George Floyd say "I can't breathe" 27 times. And said Chauvin "betrayed" his badge when he used "excessive and unreasonable force."

• Next up: Testimony resumes today. And the trial's expected to last four weeks.

Reliving this horrific time in America's history is hard. Here are some resources that can help.

Where the crackdown is getting worse…

Hong Kong. Today, China cut the number of directly-elected seats in Hong Kong's legislature by nearly half. In 2019, Hong Kong saw months of pro-democracy protests in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory, gaining national attention. But this move is seen as Beijing's latest effort to curb Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, raising concerns about China's growing influence in the territory. Earlier this month, Beijing added more seats to the committee that elects Hong Kong's leader. Now, the new legislature will be expanded to 90 seats (from the original 70). And 20 of them will be elected by the public (instead of 35). And those who want to run for election will need to be vetted by a committee to make sure they're "patriots."

What else people are paying attention to…

COVID-19. Yesterday, the CDC said the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines were 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 two weeks after the second dose. But despite over 51 million people in the US being fully vaccinated, COVID-19 cases are back on the rise as variants continue to spread and restrictions are eased across the country. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said she's worried of an "impending doom" if people don't take the necessary precautions to limit the spread of the virus. So wash your hands, practice social distancing, and consider double masking.

What ship has (finally) sailed...

The Ever Given. Nearly a week after it got stuck in the Suez Canal, the 200,000-ton cargo ship was freed. Big deal, since the canal is one of the most important oil routes in the world. And the blockage reportedly cost the industry nearly $10 billion in trade a day. Now, investigators are looking into how this happened, especially since it had another accident in 2019.

When a not-so-haunted house opens…

So does a Schitty motel.

Ever had a UTI? You're far from alone. In fact, UTIs are the second most common type of infection in the US. Btw, women get them up to 30 times more often than men. Cool cool cool cool cool.

Something that can make it worse? Antibiotic resistance. Aka when antibiotics no longer work to cure the infection. More bad news: experts say antibiotic-resistant UTIs are becoming more and more of a problem.

Enter Uqora, a company that's all about improving your urinary health. With UTI relief products that aim to tackle symptoms head-on. And supplements that proactively work to keep your urinary tract healthy. Cranberry juice not included. Psst...Skimm'rs get 15% off their purchase, plus a money-back guarantee.

1. Things that'll make cleaning your bathroom more bearable. Your least favorite household chore just got a bit easier. Get to work with an electric scrubbing brush, a mold and mildew remover, and a pumice stone. Sleeves = rolled.

2. Bras for those days you wish you didn't have to wear a bra. This female-founded company can help you say 'bye' to pokey wires and 'hello' to all-day comfort. Oh, and they give Skimm'rs 15% off their first purchase. Bra-mazing.*

3. 16 pet products that'll solve common problems. Like when you've got fur everywhere. Or unexpected stains on your carpets. It doesn't have to be a ruff life if you have the right tools. Check 'em out.

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. A food plan that can help you eat smarter. This company believes your diet should be as unique as you are. They'll analyze your DNA to make a personalized nutrition plan juuust for you. Btw, Skimm'rs get up to 56% off right now. Gene-ius.*

2. A lightweight hair dryer brush. This one comes with a special glove. So you can get shiny, straight-from-the-salon hair and keep your hands safe. Get a special today-only deal when you buy it here now.*

3. Food that will unleash your fur baby's best life. This company crafts healthy recipes tailored to your pup's unique needs. Then ships it right to your door in recyclable packaging. PS: Skimm'rs can save 80% with code SKIMM80 this week only. Go fetch.*

4. Pimple patches that'll help you fight dreaded maskne (mask acne). We're dedicated to wearing our face masks, but the pimples that may come along with them? No thanks. These pimple patches can help soak up all the bacteria sitting underneath your skin. So breakouts heal wayyy faster and are visibly less red. Sigh of relief sold separately.

PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Monday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more.

Skimm’rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

Standing tall with all...Stephenie L (UT). She's the CEO & Founder of Encircle, a nonprofit that offers housing, support, and therapy to at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. And they just broke ground for another Encircle House.

If the shoe fits, make it up to three sizes larger...Ayla R (AK). She and her business partners, Laura and Celia, started Pandere, a company that makes shoes for people who suffer from lymphedema and other conditions causing feet to swell.

(Some) Birthdays...Amy Shwartz (IL), Leo Villavicencio (NY), John Lombardi III (NY), Nikki Fuchs (NY), Stephanie Koko (VA), Julianna Grucz (MI), Mary Anderson (DC), Mike Rice (NY), Heidi Warner (MD), Amanda Pokorny (OH), Anna Armstrong (MD), Gregory Little (OH), Bonnie McKinstry (TX), Brendan Coyne (NY), Erika Reid (GA)

PS…we've also got a video wall to shout out a woman in your life who's making an impact on you. Check it out.

Meet April: she was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 27. We spoke to her about some of the symptoms she experienced and what the healing process was like.

And if you're looking for other smart ways to spend your time…

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Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Maria Martinolich, and Clem Robineau

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