THIS WEEK ON TO THE CONTRARY.•• FIRST, THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE FOR WOMEN.

THEN, REACTION TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S DOUBLE GUT PUNCH TO THE LGBT COMMUNITY THIS WEEK.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES: WOMEN CEOS.

WHAT'S HOLDING UP THE PROGRESS?

HELLO, I'M BONNIE ERBE.

WELCOME TO TO THE CONTRARY, A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

UP FIRST, WHAT'S NEXT FOR HEALTHCARE?

THE REPUBLICANS SEVEN YEAR QUEST TO REPEAL OBAMACARE ENDED WITH A SURPRISING TURN AS SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN CAST THE DECIDING VOTE AGAINST THE SO-CALLED "SKINNY" REPEAL OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

MCCAIN, ALONG WITH TWO WOMEN SENATORS - LISA MURKOWSKI OF ALASKA AND SUSAN COLLINS OF MAINE - WERE THE THREE REPUBLICANS TO BREAK WITH THEIR PARTY.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD PRESIDENT CECILE RICHARDS CALLED IT A GRASS ROOTS VICTORY FOR WOMEN SAYING "WOMEN STOPPED THIS BILL IN ITS TRACKS."

SO, CONGRESSWOMAN EDWARDS DID WOMEN STOP THIS BILL AND WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR HEALTHCARE?

>> CLEARLY AND ESPECIALLY WITH THE LEADERSHIP AND COURAGE OF LISA MEASURE COULD YOU SKY FROM ALASKA AND SUSAN COLLINS THE FUTURE IS BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, HEARINGS AND DATA AND LET'S FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE THERE.

>> AMERICANS WILL CONTINUE TO BEND UNDER THE WEIGHT OF OBAMACARE AS IT CONTINUES TO COLLAPSE AND WOMEN WILL SUFFER.

>> I THINK YOU WILL SEE AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE WHICH IS BIPARTISANSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT BUT I THINK IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE REMAIN STRONG AND POSITIVE WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> I'M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT BIPARTISANSHIP IN THE FACE OF THIS.

SENATOR McCAIN PUT IT NOW IS THE TIME TO DO GOOD TOGETHER.

>> WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP?

McCONNELL, HOW CAN HE BE BIPARTISAN AFTER HAVING BEEN SO PARTISAN FOR SO LONG INCLUDING EXTENDING BACK THROUGH THE WHOLE TWO OBAMA ADMINISTRATIONS?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE DIFFICULT BUT I THINK YOU KNOW, UNDER THE HEALTH COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE AND CHAIRMAN ALEXANDER THEY HAVE STARTED TALKING TO DEMOCRATS ABOUT A COMPROMISE AND ABOUT A NEW BILL AND TRYING TO BE MORE OPEN AND INCLUSIVE THIS TIME.

>> TALKING TO DEMOCRATS A GOOD IDEA?

>> IT SOUNDS REALLY GOOD BUT THERE ARE HUGE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CONSERVATIVES AND REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE MEDICAID EXPANSION AND TALK ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE, THE BUSINESSMAN DATE.

THERE'S VERY BIG DIFFERENCES THAT I THINK ARE GOING TO BE HARD TO OVERCOME.

>> AND AGAIN, IF THE PARTY CANNOT AGREE, THE WOMEN GENERALLY OR THE THREE WOMEN SENATORS WERE IN UNISON AGAINST MOST OF THE PROPOSALS THAT CAME THROUGH THE SENATE AND ON THE OTHER SIDE YOU HAVE RAND PAUL AND TED CRUZ AND THAT BAND OF SENATORS THAT REALLY WANT IT REPEALED AND LET THE BOTTOM DROP OUT OF THE HEALTHCARE MARKET.

>> YEAH, ON THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE YOU HAVE DISAGREEMENTS HOW ARE YOU GOING TO LOWER PREMIUMS AND INSURE THAT AMERICANS HAVE THE ACCESS TO THE CARE THEY WANT AND TO BRING IN DEMOCRATS WE HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS?

>> DO YOU REALLY THINK IF REPUBLICANS GOT WHAT MOST OF THEM WANT WHICH IS TO REPEAL OBAMACARE AND THEN START FRESH.

BUT IN THE INTERIM, LET 22 MILLION PEOPLE FALL OFF THE ROLLS.

I MEAN IS THAT GOING TO WORK?

WON'T THOSE VOTERS TURNOUT IN THE NEXT ELECTION AND SAY YOU'VE REALLY RUINED MADE MY LIFE SO MUCH MORE DIFFICULT HERE?

>> NOBODY HAS TO WORRY ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE MOVING ON.

McCONNELL HAD THREE TRIES THIS IS THE THIRD ATTEMPT AND IT FAILED AND IT TELLS YOU THAT RAND PAUL AND THE SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY SAID THAT I WANT A ONE HIT REPEAL.

IT DID NOT HAPPEN.

THE SKINNY REPEAL BILL HE GOT THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS AND A CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AND FROM THAT WE SAW THE FAILURE.

THIS IS OVER.

THIS IS COMPLETELY A THING WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SIT TOGETHER AND CHIP AWAY AT THIS LAW.

THAT IS THE ONLY OPTION.

TRUMP VOTERS, I THINK, ARE GOING TO HAVE THEIR HEALTHCARE THANKS TO TWO FEMALE SENATORS AND SENATOR McCAIN.

>> THIS IS ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND I THINK THAT THERE ARE DEMOCRATS PARTICULARLY IN THE SENATE WHO ARE WILLING TO SIT DOWN WITH REPUBLICANS.

I THINK THAT THAT IS BEGINNING TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW.

AND THE RESULT OF THAT IS GOING TO BE NOT A REPEAL IT'S GOING TO BE SAYING WHAT IS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT?

WHERE IS IT THAT WE NEED TO FIX IT AND SHORE UP THE MARKETS AND THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO IMPROVE IT.

BUT YOU HAVE TO START FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO REPEAL IT AND I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

>> WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP THERE IS NO TELLING HE MAY WANT TO TRY AGAIN.

>> WELL, WE KNOW THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS WILLING TO SIGN ANYTHING.

>> THIS IS AN UNUSUAL PRESIDENCY WITH ALL KINDS OF THINGS HAPPENING THAT ARE ABNORMAL.

>> HE HAS A SHORT ATTENTION SPAN AND ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THAT.

>> THE SENATE RULES ARE SETUP SUCH THAT THEY HAVE TO DO HEALTHCARE BEFORE THEY CAN GET ON TO THE NEXT TOPIC.

>> INDEED.

BUT I THINK TRUMP IS GOING TO TAKE HIS HANDS OFF.

IT'S BEEN TOO MESSY AND HE LOST HIS POLITICAL CAPITAL.

HE SENT MIKE PENCE TO THE HILL AND HE IS LOVED ON THE HILL.

>> HE IS PERSONALLY ATTACKED WHICH I WANT TO GET TO, SENATOR MURKOWSKI AND A LOT OF SENATORS AND I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT YOU PARTICULARLY THOUGHT, HE ATTACKED HER AND TOLD HER SAID IT WAS HER FAULT AND SHE DESERTED HER PARTY AND DESERTED HER COUNTRY AND SHE CAME BACK AND PUT ON INDEFINITE HOLD HIS NEXT SIX HIGH LEVEL NOMINATIONS TO THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT UNDER THE COMMITTEE SHE CONTROLS.

THAT WAS REALLY A COWBOY-COWGIRL SHOOT OUT.

DID SHE WIN OR DID HE WIN?

>> I DO NOT THINK ANYBODY WON OUT OF THAT.

IT MAY SEEM LIKE SHE IS STANDING UP FOR HER CONSTITUENCY BUT WHEN YOU LOOK BROADER THAN THAT WHAT HAS BEEN AT STAKE IS FAR GREATER THAN EGOS.

>> WOULDN'T SHE HAVE BEEN SEEN AS COMPLETELY WEAK IF SHE DID NOT COME BACK AT HIM?

HE ALMOST WENT AFTER HER THE WAY HE WENT AFTER ROSIE O'DONNELL.

>> IT'S POSSIBLE THAT OTHER HOLDOUTS GOT PHONE CALLS FROM DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATION MEMBERS ABOUT DIFFERENT PROJECTS IN THEIR STATE AS WELL THAT WE NEVER HEARD ABOUT.

>> I THINK HE CALLED BOTH ALASKAN REPUBLICANS AND THREATENED TO WITHHOLD A LOT OF MONEY.

>> AND THE SENATOR IS SOMEONE THAT YOU DO NOT MESS WITH AND SHE TOLD YOU DO THIS TO ME AND I WILL NOT LET YOUR APPOINTEES GET CONFIRMED.

THIS IS I A SERIOUS EXAMPLE HOW SENATORS CAN VOTE AND THE WAY THEIR CONSCIENCE TELLS THEM TO.

AND WE NEED MORE WOMEN LIKE HER, FOR SURE.

>> DID HE -- HE GOES AFTER EVERYBODY SO YOU CANNOT SAY IT'S BECAUSE SHE WAS A WOMAN BUT HERE IS A WOMAN WITH POWER THAT GAVE AS GOOD AS SHE GOT.

>> AND SHE OBVIOUSLY KNOWS HER POWER.

AND THE CHALLENGE HERE IS THAT THE MESSAGE THAT THAT SENT TO OTHER SENATORS THAT THE PRESIDENT REALLY CAN'T BE IF HE WANTS TO LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER FIGHT AND ANOTHER DAY HE CANNOT GO AROUND BULLYING SENATORS.

>> WILL HE LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY?

>> HE WILL UNFORTUNATELY LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY.

HE NEEDS TO START BEING MORE CAREFUL WITH THE SENATORS.

THEY HAVE THEIR BACKS UP ABOUT JEFF SESSIONS.

AND NOT HAPPY WITH HIM ABOUT THAT.

AND I THINK THE SENATORS PROVED THEIR POINT.

>> I LOVE THIS.

THEY ARE EQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

THEY CHECK ON EACH OTHER AND IT'S AWESOME BECAUSE THE SENATE HAS POWER THEY ARE EQUAL TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

>> LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

FROM HEALTHCARE TO TRANSGENDER RIGHTS.

LGBT GROUPS ARE OUTRAGED AT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR TWO DECISIONS THIS WEEK THEY SAY VIOLATE CIVIL RIGHTS.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF URGING A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT TO RULE DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION IS NOT COVERED BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION IS NOT COVERED BY CIVIL RIGHTS LAW.

FORMER PRESIDENT OBAMA'S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERED LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE AND ALSO PROTECTED LGBT PEOPLE FROM WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

THIS REVERSAL WILL HAVE IMPLICATIONS AND COULD PARTICULARLY IMPACT DISCRIMINATION POLICIES IN EDUCATION.

>> WE KNOW THAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS NOT GOING TO BE LIMITED TO EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS.

BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN ATTACKS ON THE RIGHTS OF LGBT PEOPLE UNDER EXISTING FEDERAL SEX PROTECTIONS.

IN AREAS OF EDUCATION FOR INSTANCE WHEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RESCINDED LIFE-SAVING GUIDANCE PROMOTING THE PROTECTION OF TRANSGENDER STUDENTS ISSUED A YEAR BEFORE.

>> THE MOVE CAME THE SAME DAY PRESIDENT TRUMP TWEETED PLANS TO REINSTATE A BAN ON TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN THE MILITARY.

HE SAID THE ARMED FORCES QUOTE CANNOT BE BURDENED WITH THE TREMENDOUS MEDICAL COSTS AND DISRUPTION THAT TRANSGENDER IN THE MILITARY WOULD ENTAIL.

END QUOTE.

IN SO DOING, HE REVERSED AN OBAMA ADMINISTRATION POLICY STILL UNDER REVIEW.

KRISTEN BECK, A FORMER NAVY SEAL AND A TRANSGENDER WOMAN SAYS A BAN ON TRANSGENDER SOLDIERS WOULD HURT THE AMERICAN MILITARY.

>> THE ARMED SERVICES THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY, EVERY FORTUNE 500 COMPANY YOU WANT TO BRING IN THE YOUNG PEOPLE IF YOU WANT THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST AND MAKE AMERICA GREAT OR THE MILITARY GREAT YOU BETTER OPEN YOUR EYES UP AND LOOK AT WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

YOU ARE TURNING ALL THE PEOPLE OFF AND MAKING ALL THE PEOPLE I DON'T WANT TO GO THERE.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TWEETS NOT WITHSTANDING, THE PENTAGON SAYS CURRENTLY SERVING TRANSGENDER PERSONS WILL NOT BE IMMEDIATELY LET GO.

TRUMP APPARENTLY ISSUED THE TWEET BECAUSE MAJOR DIFFERENCES WERE BREWING BETWEEN RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVES AND OTHERS ON CAPITOL HILL ABOUT THE MILITARY FUNDING TRANSGENDER OPERATIONS.

ESTIMATES VARY WIDELY BETWEEN WHETHER A COUPLE THOUSAND OR 13,000 TRANSGENDER SOLDIERS CURRENTLY SERVE.

IT'S ESTIMATED THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPENDS BETWEEN 2.4 MILLION AND 8 MILLION PER YEAR ON MEDICAL TRANSITIONS, A SHRED OF THE $600 BILLION DEFENSE BUDGET.

>> I HAVE A TRANSGENDER FRIEND OF MINE IN UNIFORM RIGHT TODAY AND POSSIBLY WILL BE KICKED OUT.

AND THAT PERSON SPEAKS SEVEN LANGUAGES AND YOU ARE GOING TO KICK THAT PERSON OUT.

HOW DO YOU REPLACE THAT?

THAT PERSON BRINGS EXPERIENCE AND THE ESTIMATES IT WILL COST $8 MILLION FOR ALL OF THE SURGERIES AND THE STUFF YOU HAVE TO DO FOR TRANSGENDER TROOPS ALL THE HUGE EXPENSES $8 MILLION ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

THAT IS ONE TIRE ON A JOINT RIDER.

THAT IS ONE 10TH OF WHAT THE MILITARY PAYS ON VIAGRA PILLS ALONE.

IN ONE YEAR.

AND YOU ARE TALKING TO ME ABOUT EXPENSE?

THAT IS A FALLACY.

>> SO DEBRA, THE AM DISCUSS BRIEF, THE TRANSGENDER MOVE TOOK PLACE AND IT AFFECTS MAYBE 13,000 PEOPLE.

IF THE ADMINISTRATION'S POSITION IS THAT TITLE VII DOES NOT PROTECT GAYS IN THE WORKPLACE THAT IS GOING TO AFFECT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MUCH WIDER RAMIFICATIONS WITH THAT AMICUS BRIEF THERE RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THE LGBT COMMUNITY IS RIGHT TO BE UP IN ARMS ABOUT THE TRANSGENDER ISSUE IN THE MILITARY.

BUT THEY ALSO SHOULD BE WATCHING THIS CAREFULLY, TOO.

AND WITH THE SUPREME COURT -- >> YOU ARE A FORMER JUDGE WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

WILL IT BECOME LEGAL FOR COMPANIES TO SAY YOU'RE GAY AND YOU'RE FIRED OUT OF HERE >> YES, IT WILL.

BECAUSE THE LAW THEN WILL SAY YOU ARE NOT COVERED.

YOU HAVE NO CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS.

SO -- >> ARE THERE STATE PROTECTIONS?

>> THERE WILL BE STATE PROTECTIONS THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION AND POINT.

BUT RIGHT NOW STATES INCLUDING MY STATE OF MISSOURI ARE DISMANTLING PROTECTIONS AND MAKING IT EASIER TO FIRE PEOPLE IN THE WORKPLACE AND DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THEM.

THERE IS A PATTERN HERE.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> NO ONE WANTS TO SEE DISCRIMINATION OCCUR.

WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT THE MILITARY PIECE IS EARLIER THIS YEAR MILITARY TIMES THEY POLLED PEOPLE IN THE MILITARY AND ASKED THEM WHETHER THEY THINK TRANSGENDERED SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN SERVING WOULD BE HARMFUL AND 41% SAID THEY WOULD BE HARMFUL TO THE READINESS OF THE TROOPS.

12% SAID THEY WOULDN'T.

AND I THINK CONSERVATIVES ARE THINKING OK THAT IS FINE.

I DON'T WANT MY TAX DOLLARS GOING TO PAY FOR MEDICAL SERVICES THAT ARE ELECTIVE LIKE BOTOX.

>> I THINK OF RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVES BECAUSE IT IS RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVES AND THEY DON'T WANT $8 MILLION SPENT ON TRANSGENDER OPERATIONS OR MEDICATIONS, BUT THEY ARE FINE WITH $80 MILLION GOING TO VIAGRA.

WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

AREN'T THEY LOSING THEIR PRIORITIES A LITTLE BIT HERE?

>> I THINK FOR THEM IT IS A PRINCIPLED STANCE AND PRINCIPLES TIED TO RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

>> WHY ARE THEY NOT OPPOSING VIAGRA WHICH IS GOING TO HAVE MEN HAVE MORE SEX?

>> IF THAT IS PROBABLY OUT OF WEDLOCK.

>> WITHIN THE FAMILY DYNAMIC THEY MAY THINK THAT IS OK. >> THE HYPOCRISY IS UNBELIEVABLE HOW PEOPLE CAN MAKE IT SEEM OK FOR THERE TO BE SECOND CLASS AMERICANS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TWEETS WERE UNPRESIDENTIAL HE IS THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF AND THOSE TWEETS WERE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

I DO NOT THINK THIS NEEDED TO BE TALKED ABOUT.

IT NEEDED TO.

>> WHAT THE LATEST FROM THE PENTAGON IS UNTIL THERE IS A DIRECTIVE TO THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAN PUT A POLICY TOGETHER YOU DON'T KNOW HOW LONG -- AND THEN PROMULGATED -- >> FILLED WITH CHAOS.

AND THE CHAOS IS NO GOOD ESPECIALLY FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WEAR THE UNIFORM OR THIS IS AMERICA, THE IDEA OF PROTECT GOOD CLASSES HERE SO MANY OF US DESPITE WHAT SIDE OF THE POLITICAL AISLE YOU ARE ON CAN AGREE THERE NEED TO BE PROTECTED CLASSES.

THE PEOPLE DESERVE RESPECT.

THEY HAVE BEEN PUBLICLY SHAMED AND I THINK RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVES ARE HIDING.

AND I THINK THEY ARE BEING HYPOCRITICAL.

>> BUT THEY ARE CONTROLLING THE PARTY AND THEY CERTAINLY CONTROL THE WHITE HOUSE RIGHT NOW.

>> THEY DO.

BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP IS BEING PUPPETTED BY THE VICE-PRESIDENT ON THIS.

THIS IS VICE-PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE.

HE COMES FROM A VERY RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVE BACKGROUND AND I RESPECT THAT.

BUT HONESTLY, AGAIN, GO BACK TO THE LAW.

>> DO YOU THINK TRUMP HAS ENOUGH OF A BRAIN TO SAY TO PENCE LOOK YOU CAN HAVE SOME OF THE STUFF BUT I'M NOT GIVING YOU -- >> BRAIN OR NOT.

THE PRESIDENT IS TRYING TO BE PRESIDENTIAL AND TO HIM THROWING STUFF OUT THERE, LOOK THIS IS A WIN.

I'M DOING WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT YOU ELECTED ME TO DO THIS TO HIM IS MAKING GOOD ON THE PROMISES TO THE BASE.

>> IT'S SO MISPLACED.

ON THE TRANSGENDER ISSUE, IT OCCURRED I THINK ON THE DAY THAT MARKS THE DAY THAT TRUMAN INTEGRATED THE ARMED SERVICES HOW IRONIC THAT IS.

BUT THERE WAS A RAND STUDY THAT SAID THERE WAS NO IMPACT ON READINESS AND ABILITY TO SERVE.

SO I THINK WE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO REAL DATA.

AND I TAKE SOME OF MY GUIDANCE FROM OR RIN HATCH THE SENATOR FROM UTAH WHO SAID PEOPLE ARE BORN LIKE THAT AND THEY ARE PATRIOTIC AND HAVE A DESIRE TO SERVE THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SERVE AND OUR WORKPLACES MOVED BEYOND THIS.

SOME OF THE MOST TECHNOLOGY FIRMS AND OTHER FIRMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE DOING SO WELL AND CONTRIBUTING TO OUR ECONOMY THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A FULLY NON-DISCRIMINATORY WORKPLACE.

I THINK THAT THE COUNTRY MOVED ON AND IT'S TIME FOR THE CONSERVATIVES TO MOVE ON.

>> PUTTING IT INTO LAW, IS IT GOING TO SET THE COUNTRY BACK IN TERMS OF SOCIETAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS LGBT?

>> NO DOUBT.

BUT WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

AND SO I THINK THERE IS A COMPELLING ARGUMENT THAT WILL BE MADE IN THE COURTS THAT WILL LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE.

THE REALITY OF OUR WORKPLACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND YOU KNOW, WE MAY BE TALKING ABOUT THIS IN THE SAME WAY THAT WE TALK ABOUT MARRIAGE EQUALITY.

TALKED ABOUT IT A YEAR AGO.

>> FINAL THOUGHT ON THIS IS THAT WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID HE DID THIS IN A TWEET AND DID IT BECAUSE OF A MISSOURI CONGRESSWOMAN WENT TO HIM AND SHE WAS TRYING TO GET THE MEDICAL PROCEDURES CARVED OUT OF THE BILL AND HE SHOOTS FROM THE HIP AND GOES, HEY, EVERYBODY IS GONE OUT OF THE MILITARY.

AND I MEAN THIS TYPE OF POLICY, IT'S VERY DANGEROUS.

>> I KNOW A LOT OF CONSERVATIVES WHO AGREE AND I LOVE THAT YOU BROUGHT THAT UP ABOUT THE OPERATIONS.

TAXPAYER DOLLARS WE DON'T WANT THAT.

BUT THERE IS A LOT BEHIND THAT.

YOU ARE RIGHT.

HE BLUE IT UP.

>> -- BLEW IT UP.

>> I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY RADICALS ON EITHER SIDE WOULD PIN SO MUCH OR SUCH A TINY LITTLE PART OF THE BUDGET IT JUST MAKES NO SENSE.

>> .01%.

>> BEHIND THE HEADLINES WOMEN C.E.O.

'S WHY ARE THERE SO FEW AT THE TOP?

>> 6% OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES HAVE WOMEN IN THE TOP POSITION IN A WIDELY READ ARTICLE IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES", THE REPORTER SPOKE WITH WOMEN WHO ARE ALMOST THERE ABOUT WHY MORE WOMEN AREN'T IN THE NUMBER ONE POSITION.

>> IT'S MUCH HARDER THAN WE HOPED BY NOW.

I BELIEVE THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS WOMEN CAN SUCCEED.

AND I THINK THAT HOWEVER WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT ASSERTION AND AMBITION ARE VERY, VERY HARD FOR A LOT OF MEN TO SEE AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN PUSHY, AGGRESSIVE, OFF PUTTING.

>> WOMEN ARE 30% MORE LIKELY TO BE VIEWED AS INTIMIDATING, BOSSY OR AGGRESSIVE ACCORDING TO A 2016 STUDY.

>> SOME OF THE SUCCESSFUL C.E.O.

'S DID NOT NECESSARILY ACT LIKE MEN THE ENTIRE TIME.

THEY WERE, IN FACT, LEADING IN THEIR OWN WAY.

SOME PROBABLY LED LIKE MEN WHATEVER HOWEVER WE WANT TO DEFINE THAT.

OTHERS WERE ABLE TO DIFFUSE A SENSE THAT THEY WERE TOO AGGRESSIVE OR TOO ASSERTIVE AND SOME WAYS BY LEADING A LITTLE BIT MORE BY CONSENSUS, BY BEING VERY FIRM AND DIRECT IF THEY SAW BIAS.

BUT TRYING TO CALL IT OUT IN WAYS THAT PEOPLE COULD HEAR.

SUCH AS ONE OF THE TECHNIQUES A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID IS IF YOU ARE DEALING WITH A MALE SUPERIOR AND SAID I WONDER HOW YOU WOULD FEEL IF YOUR DAUGHTER ENCOUNTERED THIS?

>> WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

WHY AFTER SO MANY YEARS IN THE WORKPLACE DO WOMEN STILL FACE ENORMOUS BARRIERS?

>> THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT REASONS.

THEY RANGE FROM THE WAY THAT MANY WOMEN ARE SOCIALIZED TO PERHAPS ASKEW A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF COMPETITION IT IS NOT TRUE FOR EVERY WOMAN.

IT'S SOMETIMES DIFFICULT FOR ASSERTIVE WOMEN TO BE SEEN AS WOMEN THEY LIKE THEREFORE IN A GAME, IF YOU WILL, WHERE BREAKING INTO THE CIRCLE OF A LARGELY MALE KIND OF FRIENDSHIP OR CAMARADERIE IS MORE CHALLENGING.

SO I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF BARRIERS.

>> ONE NUGGET SHE TOOK AWAY FROM THE RESEARCH IS THAT WOMEN SHOULD BE ARMED TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE WITH REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.

>> WOMEN SHOULD BE AWARE MORE AWARE OF THE OBSTACLES THEY WILL ENCOUNTER SO THEY CAN SCHOOL THEMSELVES TO APPROACH THEM WHATEVER WAYS SUITS THEIR OWN PERSONALITY.

I THINK THERE ARE MANY ROADS.

>> YOUR GENERATION, DO THEY HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OVERLY HIGH EXPECTATIONS BASED ON THE PERCENT OF PROGRESS TO THE C.E.O.

SUITE?

>> I WOULD NOT CALL THEM OVERLY HIGH.

BUT THE EXPECTATION IS THERE BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A MORE EMPOWERED SOCIETY NOW WHERE THE NARRATIVE IS OUT THERE THAT WOMEN CAN DO ANYTHING.

YOU CAN BE AN ENTRY LEVEL WORKER ONE DAY TO BEING THE BOSS, THE C.E.O.

THE NEXT DAY.

I THINK MILLENNIAL WOMEN SEE THAT AND FEEL THAT AND I'M ENCOURAGED I THINK THERE ARE MANY ROADS TO THE C SUITE AND WOMEN IN MY GENERATION ARE PUSHING PAST THE TRADITIONAL MENNALITY AND SAYING I CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING.

HOWEVER THE THOUGHT PROCESS IS LOOK IF YOU ARE A YOUNG MOTHER YOU HAVE OTHER OBLIGATIONS AND YOU MAY NOT BE WELL EQUIPPED TO BE A LEADER.

>> AND I FEEL LIKE I AM IN A THROWBACK ZONE.

AND IT DOES SEEM THERE ARE A LOT OF PARALLELS THE EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN C.E.O.

'S AND POLITICAL LEADERS AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO BREAK THAT BARRIER YET AND MY HOPE IS THIS YOUNGER GENERATION OF WOMEN DOES PER SELF THEMSELVES FROM THE OUTSET BELONGING IN THE C SUITE AS THAT CHANGES THEIR MALE PEERS WILL CHANGE AS WELL.

BUT NOT THERE WITH OUR GENERATION.

>> WHAT I TOOK FROM SUSAN IS LIKE A LOT OF MANAGING RELATIONS WITH MEN IN THE WORKPLACE.

IF HE SAYS SOMETHING DISCRIMINATORY AGAINST YOU YOU SAY, WELL HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOUR DAUGHTER'S BOSS SAID THIS TO HER?

AND IT'S ALL THESE SORT OF DEALING WITH THE BLATANT SEXISM THAT STILL PER MATES SOCIETY.

>> LISTENING TO HER MADE ME TIRED.

ARE WE STILL HERE?

YOU KNOW WE'RE STILL HERE.

AND THERE'S THE ATTITUDE LOOK AT THE PRESIDENT'S SON WHEN HE WAS TALKING ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE IF A WOMAN GETS SEXUALLY HARASSED SHE CAN MOVE AND GO TO ANOTHER JOB.

WOULD YOU SAY THAT ABOUT A MAN?

IS A MAN'S JOB NOT MORE VALUED TO SAY WOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO MOVE AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE WHEN CONDITIONS ARE NOT RIGHT FOR YOU.

I THINK WOMEN FACE THOSE TYPE OF CHALLENGES THAT THEIR WORK IS NOT TAKEN AS SERIOUSLY.

>> I MEAN WHEN I LOOK AT MILLENNIAL MEN, I THINK THE EMBRACE AMONG OUR CULL YOUR IT OF FLEXIBILITY OF THINGS THAT WOMEN HAVE TAKEN US OUT OF THE WORKFORCE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR KIDS THAT IS GOING TO HAVE A LONGER TERM IMPACT ON THE PERCEPTIONS FOR WOMEN.

I'M MORE OPTIMISTIC WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE BUT WE HAVE TO PAIR THIS WITH PARENTING AND HOW ARE WE RAISING OUR YOUNG MEN TO LOOK AT WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE AT HOME?

>> BRIEFLY, ARE MORE YOUNG WOMEN LOOKING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES IF THEY ENCOUNTER SEXISM IN THE WORKPLACE?

>> WITH OR WITHOUT SEXISM ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS HOT.

A SIDE HUSTLE IS HOT BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THE WORKFORCE TODAY IS NOT WHAT TOMORROW WILL LOOK LIKE.

>> THAT IS IT FOR THIS EDITION FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE, PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO THE CONTRARY SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> FUNDING ON-LINE VERSION OF THIS EPISODE OF TO THE CONTRARY, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.