Misogynistic jokes spark Rep. Helena Moreno taking #ItsNoJoke campaign to next level

New Orleans state Rep. Helena Moreno isn't laughing about the serious issues affecting women in Louisiana. And she's not laughing about what she has described as misogynistic jokes told by legislators at the State Capitol that garner embarrassing headlines nationwide.

After launching what started as a social media campaign called #ItsNoJoke this summer, Moreno is moving into the next phase of her plan, which she hopes will tap into discontent about a lack of equal opportunities for women and channel it into action and advocacy.

On Monday, Moreno is to announce that the campaign has transitioned into a true nonprofit advocacy organization, a 501(c)4, that she's named the Ignite Advocacy Network.

"We've got to ignite a big fire to create the types of changes needed for women," she said.

During the legislative session in May, state Rep. Kenny Havard, R-St. Francisville, proposed an amendment adding a weight limit to a measure that would have governed the age limits for exotic dancers. He quickly withdrew the proposal, calling it a joke, after he was openly chastised from the floors of both the House and the Senate. He also received interview requests from media as far away as Scotland and Japan.

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