Ashley Peaches

Dear Ashley,

I was quite disappointed and shocked in the quality of articles that are appearing in the student newspaper-especially your “porno” column. It is sad to see that the newspaper staff has to resort to a sex column to maintain student readership. It was equally disappointing to see your name heading the column.

Sincerely

Uptight Non-Trad

Dear Uptight,

To start this semester off, I would like to address your concerns about my column. While the sentiment is not merely your own, most feedback from the student population (and faculty I might add) has been positive.

In saying that, I have to point out that I don’t think you’ve actually seen any real porn if you can equate my column with a porno. That being said, I’d like to talk about why it is important for all persons, especially the college aged ones, to be open and honest about sex.

We are no longer in the sexual dark ages. The problems that sexually active students face, which according to a survey released by the university of Minnesota in 2007 is more than 70 percent, are and can be preventable if an open dialogue is established between any and all sexual partners. At The Bulletin, we feel is it important to start the conversation that affects so many of our readers.

While some questions that I address are silly and based on myths, all of the questions I address are information that people may never have thought to find themselves. And if any of the information that I give is in question, you could look up the answers just as I have, or talk to a medical professional.

The important thing to remember here is that this is a student publication and the advice I provide benefits a majority of students. Unfortunately, I cannot please everyone, and you, Uptight, are in that category. I only hope that you realize that by shutting yourself off from your own sexual curiosity, you are hindering your ability to have an open and honest relationship with your partner and your current or future children.

Talking about sex does not, I repeat does not, force or put ideas into young persons’ minds about what they can do that they are not already doing. Talking about sex helps prevent all of those things that your mother is supposed to warn you about. In an age of unwanted pregnancy, STIs and AIDS, the best thing we can do, as a society, is to be open about all the things that come up in life.

Even for those who wish to remain abstinent, and more power to you on that one, you should still talk about sex. There is more to sex than vaginal intercourse and knowing what your boundaries are and what you consider “sex” is important for both partners even in a relationship where there is no “sex.”

College students should talk about sex so that each and every option is weighed before actions are taken. So I encourage all of you to talk to your partner about their previous partners. Get tested together or ask your partner to get tested. Talk about birth control options before you have to talk about emergency contraception. The best thing for a relationship is honest communication. Talk about love. Talk about life. And most importantly, talk about sex. Because whether you like it or not, Uptight, sex is how life begins and talking about sex can open up new possibilities for bettering life.

If you find it is hard to talk about sex with someone or you don’t want to talk about sex with someone, maybe you’re not ready to have sex. Uptight, I am not encouraging people to have sex or engage in any sexual practices at all. I am encouraging people to be proactive about their sex life, educate themselves and make the best decision possible for their own situation.

So thanks for reading my column. If it has intrigued you enough to read it even though you are ‘oh so offended’ than it must not be that bad. And if it is that bad, you can stop reading it.

As always, keep it in your pants.

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