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Fifty-six days out from the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, Donald Trump’s Department of Justice announced that it will do something unprecedented: execute people on federal death row during the transition period. There are five executions scheduled before the January 20 inauguration, including one just five days before Biden is sworn in. 

The DOJ, under General Attorney William Barr, ended a 17-year pause on federal executions when they resumed them last summer. In a statement released Friday, the DOJ described the upcoming executions as being for people who committed “staggeringly brutal murders.” Barr’s DOJ has already executed eight people this year, despite many states pausing due to the coronavirus pandemic. But, if these five go forward, it would mean the DOJ under Trump and Barr will have executed 13 people in just six months, which is a huge shift for federal executions that had been quite rare until last year.

The decision to continue executions during the presidential transition period is unprecedented; you’d have to go back over a century, to Grover Cleveland in 1889, to find a president who went forward with executions between an electoral defeat and the swearing-in of their successor. “What is clear is that this administration wants these prisoners dead before Joe Biden takes office,” Executive Director of the Death Penalty Information Center Robert Dunham told CNN.

It’s possible that the rush to execute people on death row before Biden’s inauguration may be because Biden his against the death penalty and hopes to end it at the federal level when he takes office. “The president-elect opposes the death penalty, now and in the future, and as president will work to end its use,” transition spokesman, T.J. Ducklo, told NPR.

Among the five people scheduled to be executed before January 20 is Brandon Bernard, who will be the youngest person in nearly 70 years to be executed by the United States for a crime committed when he was a teenager. He was 18 when he and a friend were convicted of murdering two youth ministers; his accomplice, Christoper Vialva, was executed in September after he exhausted all of his appeals.

Lisa Montgomery, the only woman currently on federal death row and the first woman to be executed by the U.S. in almost 70 years, is scheduled to be executed on January 12 for killing a pregnant woman, cutting out her baby, and passing the baby off as her own.

Dustin Higgs, a Black man, was convicted of ordering a triple homicide and his execution is scheduled for Martin Luther King Day; Higgs did not actually pull the trigger in the case and the person who did received life in prison.

A Black man named Corey Johnson is also scheduled for execution on January 14. He was convicted of killing seven people as a part of a drug trade and his attorneys are arguing that Johnson has an intellectual disability that should prevent him from being eligible for execution but that no jury has heard evidence to rule on it.

Lastly, Alfred Bourgeois will be executed December 11 for the abuse and 2002 murder of his daughter. His attorney is also seeking to have his case re-tried to take an intellectual disability into account.

Despite the nature of the crimes of all five awaiting execution, advocates continue to push back on the death penalty as an inhumane form of retributivist punishment. The fact that Trump is carrying this out in his final days in office only speaks to the nature of his presidency, and where his priorities lie.

“The federal government has already presided over the executions of eight people so far this year,” Hannah Riley, a spokeswoman at the Southern Center for Human Rights, told NPR. “The death penalty is always unconscionable, but it is especially egregious to carry out executions as hundreds of people are dying of COVID-19 in this country every day.”

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Winter may be classified as cozy sweater, hot toddy, and holiday season, but the downside is it's also dry skin season. While the skin all over our bodies may be more parched than usual, certain areas are especially prone to be dryness, and the hands are one of them. Throw increased hand-washing in the mix as a protective measure during a global pandemic, and your hands might be drier now than ever before.

"Your hands are one of the most at-risk parts of your body for developing dryness and irritation because of constant exposure to environmental aggressors," Joshua Zeichner, MD, of Zeichner Dermatology, says. "Factors like hand-washing, weather, household cleaning, and even friction from weightlifting can disrupt the skin barrier."  Dr. Zeichner says that those factors may create microscopic cracks in your skin's outer layer, making hydration disappear. "This translates to dry, itchy, cracked hands," he explains.

Hadley King, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist, says that increased use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer has resulted in a spike in hand dermatitis. However, she stresses that even if you're dealing with dry skin, you shouldn't stop thoroughly cleansing your hands. "Don't stop washing and sanitizing," she says. "After you've sanitized or washed, and your hands have dried, apply a moisturizer to replenish your skin."

A good moisturizer with the right ingredients can make all the difference in how your hands feel this winter. Ahead, we asked the experts everything to look for in an effective hand cream that gets the job done.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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“It’s one of the most supportive communities anywhere on the internet,” says Marcy Howell, a member and moderator of r/ABraThatFits, one of the biggest fashion forums on Reddit and a platform dedicated to topics relating to, as the name suggests, bras that fit. “The breadth of knowledge is amazing. I’ve never seen a question go unanswered, and some of them are fairly obscure and complicated.”

It’s because of this that A Bra That Fits has amassed nearly 200,000 members since starting 10 years ago. From creating its own size calculator to developing a measuring technique specifically for the community, it has become one of the most helpful places on the internet, a safe space where anyone can go to ask for eco-friendly bra recommendations and the best places to find a reasonably priced bra during the pandemic.

With a fashion landscape that’s flooded by buzzy, Instagram-friendly brands, whose sizes often only go up to DD, and measuring techniques are limited, the need is clearly there. For proof, look at the many people joining r/ABraThatFits thinking they were one size, only to discover they’re at the totally opposite end of the spectrum. “Results say 36DD but I’ve been a 36A most my life,” wrote one user recently. “Thought I was a 36D for years but apparently I’m a 36G cup according to the calculator. To be quite honest, I’ve never even heard of a G cup. I always thought anything beyond a DD was humongous, according to what bra sizes I’ve seen sold in shops,” wrote another.

Like many of its most active members, moderator Chloe Molyneux discovered /r/ABraThatFits in the early 2010s. “Finding /r/ABraThatFits is like stepping into a different world where everything you thought you’d known is false,” she says. “Throughout the years, it has fine-tuned a way of not only measuring to get the best starting point bra size — the size you try first — but also has built up a collection of guides explaining how breast shape affects the way a bra fits.”

In addition to offering shape guides, a glossary, and even how-tos on alterations, /r/ABraThatFits uses a system that requires six different measurements as opposed to the usual two (band and cup size) for its calculator. “We have created our own terminology that is easy to understand, as well as more in-depth information for all the bra nerds out there who are passionate about excellent fit, including in-store bra-fitters who frequent our subreddit,” Molyneux says.

It also offers a comprehensive list of sizing systems by brands and countries, a resource that fuels one of the biggest discussions happening every day inside /r/ABraThatFits, and inspires people to think beyond the basic sizing system that exists in the U.S. Many threads are dedicated to various bra brands around the world, with Poland being a favorite for its exacting fits and extensive sizes. (The community has even created a massive guide on Polish bras.) “Hi lovelies! I just recently discovered the amazing world of Polish bras and their fit. Would like to try them but don’t know where to start,” one user recently posted.

“A lot of readers don’t even know about non-matrix sizes,” says Howell, referring to sizes 32A-38DD, the most commonly manufactured and sold options in the U.S. “Around the world, bras come in sizes from 22AA to 60PP. Even if you’re not a math person, you can see how American matrix sizes represent only a tiny, tiny portion of the population, and that’s why American women hate their bras — they’re being forced to wear bras that do not fit.”

Another thing you won’t see in the community is any kind of advertisements or brand promotions, a rarity on social media platforms and in media. “Companies don’t advertise on our forum and we don’t have affiliates,” says Molyneux. “This honesty makes members trust each other and respect their advice and opinions. If a bra brand is doing good work, it will get popular by word of mouth and by reviews shared to /r/ABraThatFits or bratabase.com [a community-driven bra-fit website with a database of fits and photos from nearly every brand].” 

The community is unique for the way it’s made up of people who love helping others find the right fit. Members often post measurement-checks and photos of the fit to receive advice in real-time. “Many have gained a strong understanding of how a bra should fit, what sizes are needed, which bras come in which shapes, which bras can be bought in which country, and also take the member’s personal preferences into consideration,” says Molyneux. “Sharing this power with others in the form of guides, advice, and support is what has made the wonderful community it is today.”

But perhaps one of the things that keeps people coming back is just how inclusive the space is. “Both the community and the moderation team keep a tight rein on any sort of judgment. It is body-positive, trans-friendly, and extremely welcoming,” says Howell. “I have been warmed by seeing how the community comes together to help people with special needs, single fathers who know that their daughters need a bra but don’t know where to start, women far outside the matrix easily found in department stores, who have been miserable all their lives and can move without pain for the first time in decades.”

“We pride ourselves in our commitment to acknowledge the uniqueness of everyone who joins,” adds Molyneux. “We know bodies come in many shapes, sizes, and genders. This is why our tagline is ‘Anyone who wants one deserves A Bra That Fits!’”

With r/abrathatfits, you can now find one, too — and join a community that will cheer you on while you do it.

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The following contains spoilers for Happiest Season.

Elena Joy Thurston knows the anxieties of dating someone who isn’t out to their parents. But she considers herself the poster child for how not to handle it. Thurston met her partner Kristen while learning to fly fish in Arizona in 2017. By Thanksgiving the next year, the two were dating and in love. Kristen was planning to spend the holiday with her family and decided to bring Thurston along — mostly because she didn’t want her beloved to be alone. At the time, Thurston was a single mom who’d just gone through a divorce. She was in the process of leaving the Mormon church and was focusing on regaining her mental health after undergoing a form of conversion therapy as an adult.

“When she found out I had no one to have Thanksgiving with, there was no question in her mind that she was bringing me with her,” Thurston says. The problem: Kristen wasn’t out to her parents. Thurston was concerned. “I was saying, ‘You’re ashamed of me. How can you be in love with me if you’re ashamed of who we are?’” Thurston remembers. So at about 10 p.m. the night before the holiday, Kristen texted her mom and told her she was in love with a woman, as Thurston watched her nervously from across the room.

Looking back, Thurston says she’d do things differently. “I now realize what a tender and significant moment it is to be honest with your family and come out to them,” she reflects. “Now I know, your partner coming out has nothing to do with you.”

Thurston, now 41, wishes she’d been in a different place and had more examples of what it means to come out — like a guidebook or a movie like Happiest Season, a romantic comedy in which Abby (Kristen Stewart) goes home for Christmas with her girlfriend Harper (Mackenzie Davis), who isn’t out to her parents. 

The film is undeniably funny, but it also has heart. There are several moments that astutely capture what it’s like to be in a relationship where one person isn’t out to their parents. In one blowout scene, Abby confronts Harper and says, “Do you know how painful it’s been to watch the person that I love choose to hide me?” Harper responds, “I’m not hiding you. I am hiding me.”

“That scene, I cry every time I watch it,” Mary Holland, who co-wrote the script and stars in the movie as Harper’s sister Jane, tells Refinery29. “It’s so important to hear Harper’s side of it… She’s having this massive internal battle and struggling so hard to get through… And that is such a scary process. In that scene, it was so important for us to express that struggle and how hard it is for people.” 

Whether you’re from Arizona (like Thurston) or suburban Pennsylvania (like the fictional Harper), weighing whether to come out to family can be emotionally draining, to say the least. “Spending time with family of origin who don’t know or won’t acknowledge what can be a big part of someone’s identity can be destabilizing and cause stress, regression, dissociation, or other symptoms,” says Dulcinea Pitagora, PhD, LCSW, a sex therapist who uses they/them pronouns. That stress can be exacerbated by the holidays, and when there’s more than one person’s feelings on the line. We turned to experts like Dr. Pitagora for advice on handling the holidays when you’re in Abby and Harper’s shoes or if you’re going through something similar.  

Set boundaries.

If you’re in a relationship with someone, it’s natural to want to share your warm, glowy happiness. But if you’re not out, or your partner isn’t, it can complicate things. One of the best ways to navigate this is to communicate with your partner and set healthy boundaries, says Ty David Lerman, MA, LPC-S, a relationship and sex therapist who specializes in LGBTQ+ issues. 

If you’re the one who isn’t out, be as clear as you can with your partner about why. During the holidays, ask them to understand that you’re not comfortable with them meeting your family yet. It might mean saying, “I appreciate you wanting to be involved, but I’m not ready to take that step yet,” Lerman says. Or, “I don’t feel safe enough in my relationship with my parents, and I’m going to choose not to come out. Please respect that.” 

On the other hand, if you’re out and your partner isn’t, it’s crucial to both respect their boundaries and set your own. If, like in Happiest Season, your partner asks you to go back into the closet to meet their parents, consider how that will make you feel and remember that it’s OK to say no. “Ask yourself, ‘Is it compromising my moral code to put myself back in the closet in order to show up for you?’” Lerman says. “That’s a big ask.” 

Lead with compassion.

If you’re in a relationship where one or both of you aren’t out to your family yet, Lerman says it’s best to communicate openly and kindly with each other. “Lead with compassion,” he says. “If we’re the partner of someone considering coming out, it’s important to lead with the part of us that understands the fear and the worry they might be feeling.”

“Say, ‘I hear that this is where you are and it’s valid,” Lerman continues. “’You’re allowed to not be ready yet. I can respect that and honor that.’” As Levy says to Stewart in Happiest Season, “Just because Harper isn’t ready, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you.”  

On the other hand, if your partner does decide to come out around the holidays, let them know you’ll be there for them no matter how it goes, Thurston says. Tell them you have their back, and be ready to have it. 

Take all the time you need.

This is something Thurston says she wishes she and Kristen had done more of before Thanksgiving 2018. “We rushed it,” she reflects. Coming out is up to an individual, and it’s worth putting some thought into the decision. Asking questions like, “Will I be safe, physically and emotionally?” can be helpful when weighing your options, Lerman says. He adds that it’s also crucial to “prioritize our needs over wants.” You might want to share your relationship with your fam, but the need for safety should outweigh that, if that’s a factor.

It’s important to consider timing, too. The holidays can be stressful. Because of this, you might consider waiting for a less hectic time, Lerman says. “It may be a little less convenient to do it another time, because everyone’s often already together for the holidays, Lerman says. “But it’s going to set you up for greater success if you take the path of least resistance.” 

If you do decide to come out during the holidays, make a concrete plan, but also be flexible and give yourself permission to back out at the last minute if you’re not up for it, Dr. Pitagora says. If you do come out, “Go into it having done all the self-care possible,” Dr. Pitagora says. “Have an aftercare plan in place, which could include taking space to decompress or a phone call with a supportive friend to process and reaffirm. It’s also fine to leave the gathering, so it’s not a bad idea to have a plan in place for exiting early, for example if transportation is limited, what would good alternatives be?” 

As for Thurston, she now runs a nonprofit, the Pride and Joy Foundation, where she supports LGBTQ families and the allies that love them. She’s learned a lot about coming out in the last few years, and even spent this week leading up to Thanksgiving doing a live Zoom advising people about coming out over the holidays. “I tell people, ‘You need to get in touch with your own self,’” she says. “Ask: ‘Is it invalidating for you to show up and not be who you are? Or is this a moment to protect yourself? Is it self care to not be vulnerable with your family through the holidays?’” 

Thurston wishes she’d helped Kristen parse through these questions two years ago. She says if could talk to herself then, she’d say: “Your partner’s coming out has nothing to do with you, so stop taking offense that they’re not coming out to the people who have the most influence in their lives. This is potentially the riskiest undertaking — to be honest and vulnerable with their family — and your job is to support them through that, not to force them through it.” 

Anne Cohen contributed to the reporting of this story. 

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This holiday season, Team Unbothered wants you to put your coins where your mouth is. So we’ve rounded up a list of dope businesses owned by Black women for you to support this Black Friday. Satin lined beanies, organic hair serums, pure matcha powders, poppin’ eyeshadow palettes, and more trustworthy Black-owned products are waiting patiently for you to scoop them up off the shelves. Hey, some are even on sale, if you're in the deal-hunting spirit. And for the ones that aren't taking part in the whirlwind of Cyber Week madness, you can never go wrong with dishing out a few extra bucks to support a Black-owned business.

Here are 16 mostly independent brands fully run by Black women that you can support this year — because #BuyBlack should be more than a hashtag.

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Wishing you and yours a happy Thanksgiving this week! As we celebrate differently this year, we are reminded how grateful we are for the health and safety of our loved ones, for the shelter over our heads and food in front of us. This year has put a lot into perspective and we will never take time with those we care about for granted. We can’t wait for a day where we can all celebrate together again, but in the meantime, we are appreciating what we do have and enjoying this quiet time at home together.

xx Julia, Thomas & Clementine

The post Happy Thanksgiving appeared first on Julia Berolzheimer.

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