As our venerable columnist Katha Pollitt goes on leave to work on a book, we welcome our widely read blogger and contributor Jessica Valenti as a guest columnist in her stead. Over the past year, Jessica has been writing for TheNation.com on feminism, reproductive rights and sexuality, among other topics. She'll explore those subjects, and more, in her “Body Politic” column, which will
 appear biweekly until Katha returns.