The Happy Trail

Sex outdoors: a great escape?

The weather is warming up, and clothes are being stripped off. Summer is just around the corner, and it seems like the perfect time to explore sex outside! But before you frolic around town, there are a couple things that you should consider. First of all, what are we talking about here? When I talk about outdoor sex, I don’t mean sex in remote wilderness locations for just you, your partner and the mountains. Many might think of that as the ideal. I’m talking about sex in public and semi-public...
The Happy Trail

In defense of a small school hookup culture: How a close-knit community can build accountability

I would like to share some reflections gathered over the last three and a half years in regards to small-school hookup and dating culture. At small schools, or in small communities, it’s easy to build a reputation. This can be good or bad. A small community can hold people accountable to their actions. One example of this is Peer Allies. In the last three years they have grown into a recognizable and widely effective force on campus in fighting sexual assault due in part to the ability to engage a...
The Happy Trail

Facebook provides new gender options

Earlier this month, tech giant Facebook changed how its users are able to identify in terms of their gender. As of Feb. 13, users in the U.S. are now able to identify as one of 58 various options including the traditionally used male and female. Some of the most recent examples include identities such as Cis, Trans*, Genderqueer, Pangender and Twospirit. Users are also now able to select which pronouns they wish to use. This means that instead of the typical ‘he’ or ‘she’, people can now be referred to...
The Happy Trail

Testing services on campus now free

As the school year picks up steam, things tend to get hotter and heavier. Have you thought about what you or your partner might be carrying around with you besides textbooks? STDs (or STIs, as the two are interchangeable) are real and alive on college campuses. Just last year, there were eleven reported cases of chlamydia at Puget Sound according to the Center for Health and Wellness (CHWS). Getting and STD test is simple and can save you anxiety and, quite possibly, your life. While there is no single test...