TRIGGER WARNING - Themes of rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and suicide.  Please be advised.

Female researchers and scientists face sexist attitudes when attending herpetology conferences, according to this article from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/16/us/turtle-researcher-women-bikinis-richard-vogt.html.  "Herpetology has historically had a 'macho, bro culture'," says the article, and one female scientist who was interviewed said, "she had routinely witnessed obscene photographs and sexual innuendos in herpetology talks, though she said it had become less common in recent years.  Still, she said that culture had made her less inclined to attend professional herpetology conferences. Others who spoke out on social media said they, too, avoided such meetings or switched career paths."

Other groups have protested against the toxic culture that endangers the mental health and physical safety of women in herpetology as they study reptiles and amphibians.  According to Inclusive Herpetology, "Misogynistic culture at conferences jeopardizes TSA’s (Turtle Survival Alliance) core mission of promoting global conservation of turtles and tortoises; this culture has driven numerous women from herpetology." (https://inclusiveherpetology.wordpress.com/)

These sexist attitudes are represented by Repashy, which makes pet food for reptiles and fish, and its product, "Morning Wood: Our Super Firm, Long Lasting Formula for Fish that Like to Suck Hard Wood".

Locker room talk IS rape culture! 

So what's it doing on a jar of fish food where kids and teens and families have access to it on store shelves and pet food websites???

Please keep sharing this petition on social media.  Tell Repashy to rename its fish food.  It is NOT funny.  It normalizes rape culture and sexist attitudes towards women and girls.

This update includes a Pyramid of Sexual Violence made by The Equality Institute (https://www.equalityinstitute.org/about).  It shows how behaviors such as "locker room banter" and "Boys will be boys" at the bottom of the pyramid influence actions at the top, including rape.   The Equality Institute says, "Rape doesn't happen in isolation -- it's the manifestation of gender inequality in a society.  It all starts with unequal attitudes and behaviors, so don't ever say 'it was just a joke'." (https://mobile.twitter.com/theeqi/status/961838320681615360). 

Here is a video by Teen Vogue about Charlie Coleman: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VzC_Ss5oO4Q

Commenting on rape culture, Coleman talks about his sister, Daisy Coleman, and her rape at age 14 (that trauma eventually led to her suicide in 2020, followed by the suicide of their mother four months later).  Coleman says in the video, "We see comments being made about women, saying, ‘Oh, it’s just locker room talk -- boys will be boys.’  That’s accepting the culture as it is and allowing it to grow."   

Coleman also says, "If there's one thing in this world that I think that young men need to learn to carry on through their lives is respect for another.  Start by talking about, 'You have to respect this person', it's not about what she's wearing.  If the kid comes home at thirteen years old and talking with his friends about, 'Oh my God!  Did you see her butt today in social studies?', or the volleyball team will go on their daily run past the field and they'll be like, 'Oh my gosh!  Those spandex!', kind of thing, it's...it's...  People talk like that.  It's actually more disgusting than we see it as.  And it happens all too often because we haven't been taught.  It is up to the parents, the role models, the older brothers, the older sisters to start putting these ideas in kids' heads that this is not a thing that's okay."

If Repashy can make pet food products for many people to enjoy without invoking images of rape and sexual harassment and the objectification and domination of women by using locker room language, then they can certainly rename its "Morning Wood" fish food and description.  It is in Repashy's best interests to be a part of the solutions against rape culture, and NOT be a part of the problem.  Please tell them to change.

Thank you for your support.  Please share this petition.  Safety and respect for all.

CC Teal

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can seek help by calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). For more resources on sexual assault, visit RAINN, End Rape on Campus, Know Your IX, and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

If you or someone you care about is thinking about suicide there are ways to get help.  For immediate assistance call 911.  Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.TALK (8255) or chat online using the Lifeline Crisis Chat anytime, 24/7.