Although California touts itself as one of the most progressive states in the United States, female leaders in the state’s political world want it to be known that sexual harassment is not limited to the entertainment industry. In a letter penned by more than 140 California female legislators, aides and lobbyists, political women in the state called out men in positions of power for making their female counterparts objectified and challenged them to change this culture.
In the days following the Harvey Weinstein allegations of sexual abuse in the entertainment industry, social media has turned into a virtual safe haven for women to come forth and reveal their own stories of sexual harassment. Millions of women have used the hashtag #metoo to bring their secrets out of the dark. For years the Golden State has led the fight for equality and social change, which is why the accusations coming out of such a progressive institute that champions the end to the same conduct they are being accused of might come as a surprise.
The letter from the female professionals delves into this hypocritical behavior. “As women leaders in politics, in a state that postures itself as a leader in justice and equality, you might assume our experience has been different,” it reads. “It has not. Each of us has endured, or witnessed or worked with women who have experienced some form of dehumanizing behavior by men in power in our workplaces.”
Some conduct that these women have endured have included nonconsensual touching, inappropriate comments and sexual innuendo. The perpetrators of these acts often hold the key to their victim’s career, so in most cases these women have to choose between their professional futures and personal safety.
“Why didn’t we speak up Sometimes out of fear. Sometimes out of shame,” the letter reads. “Often these men hold our professional fates in their hands. They are bosses, gatekeepers, and contacts. Our relationships with them are crucial to our personal success.”
One of the most disturbing recounts of harassment was made by Pamela Lopez, a partner at a Sacramento lobbying firm. She described in graphic detail how an elected official cornered her in the women’s bathroom, locked the door and exposed himself at a Sacramento bar during a gathering of lawmakers and lobbyists. When the lawmaker upped the ante, asking her to touch him while he was pleasuring himself, she rejected his advances but tried not to cause a scene. This passive approach is all but necessary to sustain a successful career as a woman in California politics.
Christine Pelosi, the leader of the California Democratic Women’s Caucus, described how legislators act differently in Sacramento. “They’re not at home. This is not behavior by and large that they would engage in at home. They’re almost at camp or something.”
The campaign is only getting started, as the group is launching a website “We Said Enough” at wesaidenough.com. The website adds, “Inappropriate, sexually harassing behavior cuts across every industry and facet of our society. No matter a woman’s age, weight, religion, sexual orientation, race, social status, or position of power, she is not insulated from this behavior. It is pervasive.”
The ‘We Said Enough” website is a platform by which women are invited to share their stories, leaving perpetrators nameless, but bringing light to a widespread issue they are hoping will change with awareness.
