The Happy Trail

This summer I made dozens of new friends, travelled across the Pacific Northwest and was introduced to lifestyles that I had never even considered. But one of the biggest ideas that I was introduced to this summer was that of a consent culture. A consent culture is one in which the axis of all sexual interaction— or rather all human interaction— is based around consent. Now obviously this includes radical changes to our ideas of consent in sex, but it also means a shift towards complete and total respect towards...

By now, most of us have heard the most popular song of the end of summer, “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell Williams and T.I. Aside from being the number-one track on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, the song has gained additional attention in many circles for the way that some have interpreted the message of the track. Much of this controversy is centered on the song’s title, lyrics and music video. Recently there has been a lot of chatter in the media and on campus about...

Kink, or kinkiness, is a sexual preference that does not get enough accurate representation in mainstream media. Kink covers a wide variety of sexual behaviors and interests, and is not all whips and chains and gimp suits like some would have you believe. Understanding kink as atypical sexual behavior requires first that one understand “typical” sexual behavior. According to The British Medical Journal, “vanilla sex” includes mutual masturbation, oral sex, anal sex, frottage (or grinding) and penetrative sex without any element of BDSM or fetishism. The term “kink” is a...

Puget Sound is a sexy, sexy place. In order to get in on the sexy action, there are a few basic concepts on which all students should have a firm grasp before embarking on their sexual conquests – consent, open communication, and diversity of sexual expression. Consent is rule number one when it comes to gettin’ down. In fact, call it rule zero. Sex without consent is not sex, it is rape. One of the most well-known slogans of consent culture is the phrase, “No Means No,” which is absolutely...

Lately in the mainstream media, there has been a focus on the prevalent nature of sexual violence on college campuses across the country. Most recently, a lawsuit was brought against Occidental College for the school’s alleged mishandling of sexual assault accusations. Many similar lawsuits have been brought against other colleges and universities in the wake of the U.S. Board of Education’s 2011 “Dear Colleague Letter,” which reminded every institution of higher education that it is their responsibility to investigate and prevent instances of sexual harassment, violence and discrimination. According to...

You’re getting hot and heavy. The moment feels just right, and you don’t want anything to come in and wreck it. Unfortunately, the chances are any time you get intimate with someone, it won’t go exactly the way you planned out in your head. A million things can happen that might burst your sexy-bubble: hair in the mouth, queefing, head-bumping, clothing getting stuck and unexpected visitors are just a few possible mishaps. Luckily, there are a handful of ways to get The Mood back and to even avoid “losing” it...

For some, the dating world is easy to navigate, but for the vast majority of us it’s an exercise in dealing with one’s own awkwardness. How do I know if they’re into me? How much are they into me? Is this a date, a one-night stand or a casual fling? Sex education isn’t only about the mechanics of sexual activity or the options available for birth control. Sometimes it’s about how to make sure your interactions with your intended partner are positive for everyone involved both in and out of...

Hair is all over our bodies, whether it’s leg hair, arm hair, head hair, pubic hair, facial hair, nose hair or eyebrows. There are a variety of ways to remove body hair, including waxing, shaving, threading and laser hair removal. Some people remove their body hair, while others do not. Nobody has control over someone else’s body; whether a person removes hair or not is a personal choice. Frequently, people argue that when a woman shaves she is giving in to societal and gender norms. But what if she’s not?...

Men and women have different sexual needs; the same is true of their sexual health. While taking care of your private parts may seem like a daunting task, with a little bit of information you’ll be well on your way to maintaining a healthy reproductive system inside as well as outside of the bedroom. Here’s a primer on taking care of your sexy bits. For the ladies: Be sure to check your breasts monthly for signs of discoloration or possible lumps. While breast exams are now considered an optional part...

To say that Beyoncé Knowles is one of the most influential women in pop culture today is an understatement. In 2013 so far she has performed arguably the most spectacular Super Bowl half-time performance in history, been on the cover of almost every major magazine, released a documentary, become spokeswoman for Pepsi and started her world tour, “The Mrs. Carter Show.” Commercial popularity and economic success often comes with scrutiny, however, especially when it involves female celebrities’ own views on women’s rights. Recently, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry stated they...

The stigma against women’s sexuality is staggering. Despite great strides that have been made toward visibility and acceptance for queer and sexually empowered women, gay women are often pegged as “fake” or are accused of betraying their fellow lesbians if they decide they like men, too. Consider, for instance, a hypothetical freshman girl: she comes to school for the first time, unsure of her place in this tight-knit campus community. How will she be seen by others? The allure of labeling herself in order to feel more connected to her...

Menstruation, or the process of shedding the uterine lining, occurs on a monthly basis in women from the time they hit puberty to the time they go through menopause, with the exception of the months they are pregnant and/or breast-feeding. Though, it should be acknowledged that women are not the only ones who menstruate. Trans-men and people who are facing gender dysphoria—when a person is not content with the sex he or she was assigned at birth—also menstruate. Every single day, people are menstruating all around the world, so you’d...