Portland State Vanguard. Vol. 72 Issue 20

VG PORTLAND STATE VANGUARD

VOLUME 72 • ISSUE 20 • FEBRUARY 13, 2018

Love& Sex

NAME THAT GENITALIA! P. 13

GUIDE 2018 Booty call etiquette

Dating app horoscope

P. 9

P. 15

Tips for a healthy breakup

SEX & GENDER VOCABULARY

P. 8

P. 14

INTERNATIONAL

Costa Rican presidential candidates share surname, not policies P. 6

NEWS Transfers Finish Free P. 2

OPINION Your Valentine purchases promote slavery P. 19

VIKING VOICES National Condom Week P. 20

SHOURESHI ANNOUNCES NEWEST FREE TUITION OPPORTUNITY

LOW-INCOME OREGONIAN TRANSFER STUDENTS CAN QUALIFY BRIAN MCGLOIN AND ANNA WILLIAMS Low-income students who live in Oregon and transfer to Portland State may now be able to graduate debt-free, according to an announcement from PSU President Rahmat Shoureshi on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Beginning fall 2018, the Transfers Finish Free program will cover tuition and fees for up to 15 credits per term for a maximum of four academic years. Oregon resident students who qualify for the federal Pell Grant and enroll at PSU full time with a 2.5 or greater unweighted GPA can apply to the program. Students can keep program benefits as long as they enroll full time at PSU with at least a 2.0 GPA. “PSU is an [accessible] institution that cre-

ates opportunities for students to obtain a valuable college education to open up career opportunities,” Shoureshi said in a statement. “Transfers Finish Free will make it easier for eligible transfer students—who are the majority of PSU’s student body—to attend the university without struggling to find funds to cover tuition.” The program mirrors PSU’s Four Years Free program, which kicked off in fall 2017. Roughly 492 in-state PSU freshman enrolled in the program at the beginning of the year, some of whom may not have considered attending a four-year university without transferring from a community college. PSU Vice President for Enrollment

Management and Student Affairs John Fraire said in a statement the success of Four Years Free “has generated demand for additional programs to help increase access for transfer students.” Fraire added, “Transfers Finish Free is our answer to helping [more] low-income community college students attend PSU.” This year PSU also enrolled a record freshman class that included an increase in racial diversity. Fraire said this was the result of the admissions department reaching out to more students living in Oregon and the Portland Metro area. Fraire stated that he hopes Four Years free will draw even more students to PSU by in-

centivizing Oregonian college students to get good grades so they can qualify to finish their degrees debt-free. Diana Jimenez Alcala, a new PSU student who recently transferred from Portland Community College said, “with this program, I can completely immerse myself in my studies.” Students will have to accept and use all federal and state grants to pay for tuition before PSU pays the remainder. Neither program pays for housing or living expenses, so students might still have to work outside of their full-time course load. Interested transfer students must apply to PSU and submit their FAFSA by July 1 and their final transcript by Aug. 1.

Contents COVER PHOTO BY ZELL THOMAS, DESIGN BY AARON UGHOC

NEWS

PSU COMMUNITY MEMBERS WELCOME, RESIST DAMORE VISIT

P. 3

PULITZER-WINNING HISTORIAN: ABOLISH CURRENT PRISON SYSTEM

P. 4

STEM STUDENTS TRY ON BRAIN-READING HEADSETS

P. 4

INTERNATIONAL

PANEL DISCUSSES WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN, TUNISIA

P. 6

COSTA RICA PRESIDENTIAL RACE

P. 6

LOVE & SEX GUIDE

P. 7–18

STAFF

COCKY CHIEF Missy Hannen

EDIT ORI A L EDITOR-IN-QUEEF Evan Smiley

COPY EDITORS Molly MacGilbert Jesika Westbrook

MANAGING EDITOR Danielle Horn

CONTRIBUTORS Reem Alkattan Anju Babu Andrew Gaines Andrew D. Jankowski Jake Johnson Kirk Jungles Brian McGloin Claire Meyer Brad Nichols Katherine Piwonka Leigh Sachiye Justin Thurer Anamika Vaughan Li Jun Wu PJ Zettle

NUDES EDITOR Anna Williams INTERNATIONAL EDITOR Fiona Spring ARTS & CUDDLES EDITOR Alanna Madden OPINION EDITOR Nada Sewidan ONLINE EDITOR NOW HIRING

PHO T O & MULTIMEDI A PHOTO EDITOR Zell Thomas MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Emma Josephson PHOTOGRAPHERS & VIDEOGRAPHERS Silvia Cardullo Brian McGloin MODELS Rachel Ferguson Kailyn Neidetcher Heidi St. Clair PRODUC TION & DE SIGN SEDUCTION MANAGER Aaron Ughoc DOM DESIGNERS Robby Day Chloe Kendall

OPINION

CHOCOLATE, DIAMONDS AND MODERN DAY SLAVERY

P. 19

VIKING VOICES

P. 20

COMICS

P. 21

ON & OFF CAMPUS EVENTS

P. 22–23

IT’S OKAY TO TALK ABOUT ABORTION

SUB DESIGNERS Sydney Bardole Georgia Hatchett Elena Kim Lisa Kohn Jenny Vu DIS T RIBU TION & M A R K E TING DISTRIBUTION & MARKETING MANAGERS Colleen Leary Aaron Ughoc T ECHNOL OGY & W EB SIT E STUDENT MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR Corrine Nightingale TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANTS Damaris Dusciuc Long V. Nguyen Annie Ton

A DV ISING & ACCOUN TING COORDINATOR OF STUDENT MEDIA Reaz Mahmood STUDENT MEDIA ACCOUNTANT Sheri Pitcher To contact Portland State Vanguard, email info@psuvanguard.com Mission Statement Vanguard’s mission is to serve the Portland State community with timely, accurate, comprehensive and critical content while upholding high journalistic standards. In the process, we aim to enrich our staff with quality, hands-on journalism education and a number of skills highly valued in today’s job market.

About Vanguard, established in 1946, is published weekly as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Student Media Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers and do not necessarily represent the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. Find us in print Tuesdays and online 24/7 at psuvanguard.com Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @psuvanguard for multimedia content and breaking news.

Special thanks to the MK Gallery for providing the venue for this issue’s photo shoot.

NEWS

PSU COMMUNITY MEMBERS WELCOME, RESIST DAMORE VISIT

PROTEST, SIT IN AND TWO ALTERNATIVE EVENTS PLANNED ANNA WILLIAMS As ex-Google employee James Damore prepares to visit campus on Saturday, Feb. 17 for a “We Need to Talk About Diversity” talk at Hoffman Hall, Portland State and greater Portland community members plan alternative events and protests to resist the controversial speaker. The Free Thinkers student group and Peter Boghossian, PSU philosophy professor and atheism advocate, will host Damore and former Evergreen State College professors Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying at the event. Google fired Damore in 2017 after he released a memo claiming biological differences between men and women led to the lack of diversity in the tech industry. Damore is now suing Google for alleged discrimination. Weinstein and Heying resigned from Evergreen last year and settled with the college for $500,000 after protesting the school’s Day of Absence, in which participating white students were asked to leave campus to talk about racial oppression. Associate Students of Portland State University will hold a “This is what diversity looks like” party in the PSU Park Blocks during the talk, and the Women in Computer Science group will co-host an event for students to network with tech employers, receive feedback on their resumes, and participate in mock interviews.

THE MEMO

Damore, a former Google engineer, was fired in August 2017 because parts of his memo violated Google’s code of conduct. At the time, Business Insider reported, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the memo went too far “by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace.” Damore’s memo stated Google’s “left bias has created a politically correct monoculture that maintains its hold by shaming dissenters into silence.” It continues, “This silence removes any checks against encroaching extremist and authoritarian policies.” Seemingly trying to prove Google’s diversity-promoting biases are not grounded in fact, Damore argues lack of diversity in the tech industry is caused by insurmountable biological differences between men and women. Specifically, Damore argues women are more people-oriented, less stress-tolerant, and more neurotic than men, making the tech industry an unsuitable workplace for most women. To support his claims, however, Damore’s memo links to a number of Wikipedia pages. It does also link to a few psychological stud-

WICS TECHNICAL LEAD KARIS SPNSLER SPEAKS WITH NEWS EDITOR ANNA WILLIAMS. EMMA JOSEPHSON/PSU VANGUARD ies, but according to additional fact-checking by Business Insider, Damore misrepresents what the studies report about gender differences. Additionally, substantial research suggests both sexes share more psychological similarities than differences. “[Damore] just doesn’t have enough context to make these arguments valid,” WICS technical lead Karis Sponsler said. “What [his argument] doesn’t quite grasp is the culture in which those arguments are brought in.” Sponsler continued, “that argument presumes that culture has no influence on people as they’re brought up... it says you were born the exact way you’re going to end up.” Betcher said he was open to hearing arguments like Sponsler’s. “If there’s a way we can get women to feel like that there are no barriers, then I’m all for that,” he said.

WHY DAMORE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT SPEAK ON CAMPUS

The Free Thinkers mission statement, according to Betcher, “goes something like ‘opposed to all forms of dogmatism insofar as those types of ideas harm human progress.’” Betcher said FT wanted to bring Damore to campus because “he was fired for going against a narrative, and that narrative has become somewhat dogmatic in some circles.” Betcher added, “since we’re against dogmatism...what he did aligns with what [FT] is about as far as speaking the truth, being honest, reporting in-

formation [and] citing your sources.” Boghossian, according to Betcher, is an unofficial mentor to FT. In an email he refused to answer interview questions unless Vanguard published his response “in its entirety without being edited.” It is standard practice for news organizations to edit quotes for clarity and brevity. Though Betcher said he could not speak for the professor, he explained “What [Boghossian] is going to want from this event is to give people a chance to hear another position about diversity or multiculturalism or whatnot and be open to revising those beliefs.” He added that Boghossian often says in his classes, “Don’t pretend to know things you don’t know, be honest, be trusting of reason [and] be willing to reconsider your beliefs.” Sponsler said she believes Damore really believes his own arguments, but they are “blatantly ignorant [and] dressed up as intellectualism.” She added, “while I want to protect free speech, I don’t want the college to bring in somebody who is essentially an intellectual flat-earther.”

THE RESISTANCE

“We wanted to put on an event that would give people a reason to skip [Damore’s talk],” Sponsler said. “If you want to actually focus on your career, rather than go listen to somebody who was fired from theirs...then come to our event.” ASPSU’s event flyer for the diversity party states, “Departments and student groups will be

given room to set-up tables or booths and an opportunity to educate the community about the work they’re doing to promote diversity at PSU.” The group will also give participants an open mic opportunity to share their experiences through “speech, song, poetry or performance.” Organizers who plan to sit in at Damore’s talk wrote on Facebook: “Attend the event with us, bring your homework and some headphones, bring a sign that tells James Damore what you think of him, have a silent dance party, literally do anything that isn’t engaging this glorified internet troll.” ASPSU President Brent Finkbeiner and Vice President Donald Thompson III wrote in a joint statement that rather than trying to counter Damore’s event, “[ASPSU] saw an opportunity to celebrate our community values.” They added, “[when] we talk about diversity, the discussions wouldn’t be complete without the perspectives of diverse individuals.” A source that did not want their name published wrote in a message that anti-fascist organizers may have planned “to buy out as many tickets as possible so [fewer] people would be able to get seats.” These organizers, according to the source, may also attempt to cut off power to Hoffman Hall during Damore’s speech. “There might be some people that shout something every once in a while,” Betcher said, “but I’m not nervous. If it happens, it happens and we’ll deal with it.”

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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NEWS

PULITZER-WINNING HISTORIAN: ABOLISH THE CURRENT PRISON SYSTEM BRAD NICHOLS

Pulitzer prize-winning historian Dr. Heather Ann Thompson presented on the findings of her book Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy Thursday, Feb. 8 in an event hosted by the Portland State history, Black studies, and criminology and criminal justice departments. Thompson spent 13 years researching the Attica State Prison uprising, during which she uncovered details of the revolt that had been stifled by the state of New York. On September 9, 1971, around 1,000 of the 2,200 Attica inmates took 42 guards and staff members hostage. The inmates then named 28 demands to relieve what they said were civil rights violations and abuse. Five days later, 300 armed state troopers entered the Attica Correctional Facility, deployed an opaque wall of tear gas, then shot into the smoke for over two minutes. When the smoke cleared, 39 men, including nine prison guards, were found dead from gunfire and over 100 more suffered gunshot wounds. Investigations following the revolts revealed inmate and witness accounts of severe

physical, mental and sexual abuse by prison employees against prisoners. Thompson is known as an expert in the racial politics of mass incarceration and has consulted for organizations like the Prison Policy Initiative and the Scholars Strategy Network. She has also presented on her book across the U.S. and internationally. In a Q&A, Thompson described her process of writing Blood in the Water, as well as what her investigation taught her about America’s prison system at large. Vanguard: What drove you to research Attica for so many years? Thompson: As it is with most Americans, prisons were completely out of sight, out of mind for me. I thought of them as these places where horrible, horrible people went and that I certainly must not know anyone in prison. I had a naive understanding of prison. However, this particular story has so many twists and turns—and bad guys and murders and cover-ups—that nobody wanted me to tell any part of the story, civil rights or otherwise.

It then became this kind of 13-year odyssey to find the documents, conduct interviews and get to what the real story was. I felt a responsibility to learn more about that and tell the history of it. During the retaking of the prison, there were so many deaths [of ] prisoners and guards alike. Following that, the men of Attica were tortured, and there were numerous investigations and trials. This story goes on for 30 years. [W]hen I started to write the book, we still didn’t know who the shooters were, why only prisoners had been indicted, and we still didn’t know what happened. VG: Were you able to answer those questions? HT: Yes, I was. All of them as a matter of fact. What happened was a massive cover-up involving the state of New York and its governor at the time, Nelson Rockefeller. Historians don’t use the term lightly, I might add. We don’t believe in conspiracies. We have to show that there was a concerted cover-up, and that’s just what I found. I even found one of three documents that named the shooters and published their names for the first time in history.

VG: What do you believe needs to change in America’s prison system? HT: Everything. And I mean everything. I am a firm believer that our prisons, as they exist today, need to be abolished. And I know that abolition is a hard thing to wrap our heads around. That being said, putting human beings in cages does not make our society safer, and it does not make victims feel as though they have been honored. We need to rethink how injustice works in America and consider how it works in other places and in other contexts. We are not even remotely close to that yet. So, for now, I am perfectly content to work extremely hard to do things like ending solitary confinement and ending the juvenile justice system. This may seem controversial, but it is only controversial because we assume there are two sides to it. There are no two sides to slavery, there are no two sides to the Holocaust, and there are no two sides to mass incarceration. The system that we have erected it is brutal, it doesn’t work, it traumatizes communities and families, and it actually makes us less safe.

STEM STUDENTS TRY ON BRAIN-READING HEADSETS

RESEARCHERS HOPE TO DEVELOP THE TECHNOLOGY FOR EVERYDAY USE ANJU BABU Portland State Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics students tried on brainwave-reading headsets—or Brain-Computer Interface devices—for a usability study last week at the Intel Jones Farm campus in Hillsboro, Ore. Researchers wanted to find out if the futuristic headsets could be practically worn on a daily basis. The study, conducted Jan. 27–Feb. 4, tested futuristic-looking headsets on a group of female participants in the 18–30 age range. Participants tested three BCI devices and flew a simulated drone, then shared their experiences at the end of each session. “Apart from the traditional uses of BCI devices,” said Intel researcher France Jackson, “we are aiming for using [the device] with every style and everywhere.” Primarily patients with locked-in syndrome, a medical condition where body mus-

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cles are paralyzed but individuals are fully aware, have tested BCI’s to see if the device can read and translate their thoughts. Oregon Health and Sciences University researcher Andrew Fowler won the 2014 Three-Minute Thesis challenge at PSU for his student research that demonstrated BCI’s ability combined with artificial intelligence to type patients’ thoughts onto a computer screen. OHSU professor Dr. Melanie Fried-Oken and a team of researchers are pioneers in developing BCI assistive technology. The team includes Betts Peters, who took an ice bucket challenge for BCI research fundraising in 2014. In a video, Peters explains the scope of BCI technology for patients with locked-in syndrome and describes how physicist Stephen Hawking uses the device to communicate.

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

However, under Fried-Oken’s leadership, OHSU researchers hope to develop BCIs for everyday use in the future. The team of computer engineers, clinical physiologists and natural language processing analysts collect feedback from study participants to find ways BCIs might benefit people in everyday scenarios. For instance, BCI devices can be used to alert long-haul truck drivers if they start falling asleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in 25 drivers fall asleep at the wheel. A 2013 study blames drowsy driving for 72,000 vehicle crashes, 44,000 onroad injuries and 800 deaths in the United States alone. Jackson suggests using BCIs to check attention spans in the classroom, as many universities make online replays of lectures available

to students. Students—and possibly lecturers—can check their attention depth and span at the end of the class, then students can listen to a replay if needed. PSU graduate student Aayushi said, “I like the idea of using it in assessing my classroom performance and how my brain reacts to different situations.” The myriad uses of BCI are motivating researchers and wearable medical device manufacturers globally. The market grew at a rate of 14.9% annually from 2016 to 2024, with spending in the U.S. alone at $383.2 million in 2015. The public can purchase some BCIs for classroom use and personal meditation, but they are not particularly attractive or useful in public spaces. Jackson added, “It poses an additional challenge to design it for the comfortable wear for our target audiences.”

SPORTS

VIKINGS SNAPSHOT

FEB. 8–12 TAYLOR SUCH

MEN’S BASKETBALL

6 P.M. THURSDAY, FEB. 8 PSU at Montana Score: 60-80 (L) Derek Brown came off the bench and scored a season high of 16 points. Brandon Hollis led with eight rebounds and scored 7 points. 1 P.M. SATURDAY, FEB. 10 PSU at Montana State Score: 80-77 (W) The game was tied in the last 60 seconds of the game, but with 18.9 seconds left Bryce Canda shot and scored a three-pointer that led to the Vikings win.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

8 P.M. THURSDAY, FEB. 8 PSU vs Montana Score: 70-53 (W) Three Viking players—Courtney West, Ashley Bolston

and Caitlin Lonergan—all scored double digit points. West also now leads the league with 61 blocks. 1 P.M. SATURDAY, FEB. 10 PSU vs Montana State Score: 62-53 (W) Ashley Bolston, Sidney Rielly, and Courtney West all scored 25 points or more. Rielly also scored a game high of 19 points.

MEN’S TENNIS

2 P.M. SATURDAY, FEB. 10 PSU vs Idaho State Score: 5-2 (W) Tommy Edwards and Avery West took on Peter Trhac and Davis Felix (50th nationally ranked doubles team) and handed them their first loss of the season in a 6-4 win. Edwards now has 14 individual wins and is ranked number one in doubles.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

9 A.M. SATURDAY, FEB. 10 PSU at Montana Score: 0-7 (L) Only four players are on the team at the moment. Eszter Zador and Ashley Knecht took Montana players Julia Ronneu and Nathalie Joanlanne into a tiebreaker match but wound up losing. 10 A.M. SUNDAY, FEB. 11 PSU at Montana State Score: 2-5 (L) Highlights: Ashley Knecht won her first career singles match.

NEXT WEEK:

1 P.M. SATURDAY, FEB. 17 PSU vs Idaho State

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 6 P.M. THURSDAY FEB. 15 PSU at Weber State

1 P.M. SATURDAY, FEB. 17 PSU at Idaho State

MEN’S TENNIS

1 P.M. FRIDAY, FEB. 16 PSU vs Southern Utah 2 P.M. SATURDAY, FEB. 17 PSU vs Army

MEN’S BASKETBALL: 8 P.M. THURSDAY, FEB. 15 PSU vs Weber State

INTERNATIONAL

FEB. 5

ISRAEL: AFRICAN MIGRANTS FACE DEPORTATION

FEB. 7

INDIA: UNLICENSED DOCTOR SUSPECTED OF INFECTING PATIENTS WITH HIV

FEB. 8

TAIWAN: AFTERSHOCKS COMPLICATE RESCUE EFFORTS FOLLOWING MAJOR QUAKE

FEB. 9

SOUTH KOREA: WINTER OLYMPICS BEGIN WITH SHOW OF KOREAN UNITY

The Israeli government gave 20,000 male African migrants notice to leave the country within two months or risk jail time. The migrants, who are mostly from Sudan and Eritrea, are being offered $3,500 and a plane ticket to an unspecified destination in subSaharan Africa. The deportations sparked backlash against the right-wing government, which has called the migrants infiltrators and accused them of seeking work rather than asylum. Dozens of people, including some children, tested positive for HIV in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh after an unqualified individual allegedly injected them with a contaminated syringe. Police arrested suspect Rajendra Yadav, who has been accused of passing himself off as a doctor and providing house calls and medication to his patients. All infected individuals say they were treated by Yadav. More than 220 aftershocks rattled the city of Hualien two days after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the island’s eastern coast, hampering efforts to locate and rescue survivors trapped in the rubble of four collapsed buildings. At least 10 people were killed and 270 more were wounded. Teams from North and South Korea marched together under the unification flag at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. During the ceremony, South Korean President Moon Jae-in shook hands with Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as well as ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam, fueling hopes for the normalization of diplomatic relations on the Korean peninsula.

Feb. 5–Feb. 11 Fiona Spring

FEB. 10

NIGERIA: BOKO HARAM MILITANTS FREE HOSTAGES

FEB. 11

PAKISTAN: HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER DIES AT 66

Boko Haram released 13 hostages to the Nigerian government after negotiations directed by President Muhammadu Buhari and facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The hostages—three lecturers from the University of Maiduguri and 10 female police officers—were all kidnapped last year as part of the same campaign of attacks. Prominent lawyer and activist Asma Jahangir, who faced death threats and imprisonment for her work as a champion for democracy during military rule, died of a heart attack at age 66. In addition to her pro-democracy work, Jahangir was known for her fearlessness in the face of authority and her unwavering advocacy for human rights.

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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INTERNATIONAL

MESC PANEL DISCUSSES WOMEN’S RIGHTS FIONA SPRING AND ANNA WILLIAMS

Panelists Anita Haidary, Issrar Chamekh and Taghrid Khuri discussed women’s agency and empowerment in Tunisia and Afghanistan in a Feb. 6 panel hosted by Portland State’s Middle East Studies Center. The two student activists and adjunct professor highlighted facts and misconceptions about women’s political representation, access to resources and the roles of religion and government in defining the status of women in both countries.

DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, SIMILAR CHALLENGES FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS Khuri, an adjunct professor in the women, gender and sexuality studies department at PSU, explained that while Afghanistan and Tunisia share both Islam and patriarchy, their status quos differ in significant ways. The Human Development Index, a United Nations program that ranks countries according to measures of economic prosperity, education and standards of living, ranks Tunisia 97th and Afghanistan 169th out of 180 countries overall. In terms of gender inequality, the HDI puts Tunisia in 58th place and Afghanistan in 154th. With laws protecting women from domestic violence and rape, Tunisia has a reputation as a regional leader in women’s rights advocacy, inspiring change in nearby countries. According to Chamekh, a master’s degree candidate in political science at PSU, women’s rights laws and state-sponsored feminist organizations have been part of her home country’s identity for decades. Though the presence of religious fundamentalism complicates the pursuit of wom-

en’s equality in the Middle East, Haidary, an Afghan student and women’s rights organizer known for her role in co-founding the Kabulbased non-government organization Young Women for Change, said complex social factors that limit women’s access to resources, education and public spaces also reinforce women’s oppression. “More than a conservative state or an Islamic country,” Haidary said, “[In Afghanistan] it’s an issue of resources and an issue of facilities and access in general.” Chamekh said Tunisia faces a similar challenge in that women from poorer or more rural areas of the country do not benefit as much from the state’s publicized equality efforts. “[To this day] there are a lot of women working in factories [who] are paid less than men,” Chamekh said. “Or…[employers] hire them on short contracts, so it’s very easy to fire them.” She added, “There are a lot of other things that have to do with the economic situation that don’t get brought up just because [women] have all these rights and [they] should be happy.”

GENDER QUOTAS AND WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION

In Afghanistan and Tunisia, women make up 28 percent and 31 percent of the respective legislatures. By comparison, the United States Congress is currently 19 percent female. The relatively high levels of women’s legislative representation seen in Afghanistan and Tunisia can be partially explained by their use of gender quotas. The electoral systems in both countries include provisions

that require a certain number of women be nominated or elected to office. Evidence suggests that quota policies can, in some political contexts, have significant positive effects on the presence of women in government. Some debate persists over whether gender quotas have the power to bring about real change in the lives of women constituents. “[Afghan] women are involved by quota, not because they really wanted to be involved or they really have power,” Haidary said. “So they’re just numbers, really.” Chamekh said she believes quotas alone have limited power in a context where women are not generally seen as leaders. “The problem is getting the women…to see themselves as possible candidates and to present themselves to these elections and get involved,” she said. “We do have qualified women, it’s just that [Tunisian government is] so misogynistic they don’t want to get involved.” Khuri emphasized the value of role-modeling as an argument in favor of legislative quotas for women. “This is a matter of getting used to performing in certain ways,” she said. “When we see women in high positions like principals of schools and universities and Wall Street and the government and parliament, then we have generations of younger women who see models.”

TOKEN FEMINISM

Though feminist organizations have existed and been helpful in Tunisia for decades, Chamekh said they have historically been state-run.

Prior to the Arab Spring, a wave of revolutionary protests that spread across the Middle East and North Africa in 2010 and 2011 and led to Tunisia’s democratization, Chamekh explained, “Any organization that wanted to work independently [was] presented with two choices: Either you work with us and you join us as a state organization, or we’re not going to let you work and we’re going to sabotage all of your activities.” This qualified support of women’s rights is what Chamekh calls token feminism in Tunisia. “We can’t talk about gender law when [poorer and rural women] as citizens go through double discrimination and double hardship,” Chamekh added. “Don’t use women’s rights to cover your economic issues and the economic reforms that we need to have.”

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Chamekh said she has hope in the post-revolution generation of Tunisians that faces less government oppression and feels bolder about demonstrating in the streets. This new generation of activists, she added, is also working to separate itself from state alliance and provide more support for the LGBTQ population, as homosexuality is still illegal in the country. Haidary said women in Afghanistan are also beginning to protest for women’s rights in their own way. “There are a lot of women who are making changes in the local area,” she said, “not just by going on the street and screaming they want rights, but it’s more of a very calm, very subtle way to empower women in a way that is not reversible.”

CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE WINS FIRSTROUND COSTA RICA PRESIDENTIAL RACE FIONA SPRING

Conservative Evangelical singer Fabricio Alvarado Muñoz solidified his transformation from a long-shot candidate to a frontrunner on Feb. 5, capturing 24.8 percent of the vote in the first round of Costa Rica’s 2018 presidential election. Alvarado Muñoz has built his campaign around his opposition to an international court decision requiring the Central American country to legalize same-sex marriage, and will face off against former Labor Minister Carlos Alvarado Quesada in an April 1 runoff vote. Though they share a surname, the two candidates are not related. Alvarado Muñoz’s meteoric rise and issue based–popularity represent a marked departure from Costa Rica’s political traditions, which have long been characterized by a moderate two-party system. Nevertheless, his position on same-sex marriage has struck a nerve among a significant sector of the Costa Rican population, the majority of whom self-identify as conservative, despite the country’s progressive reputation.

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PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

FABRICIO ALVARADO MUÑOZ SURROUNDED BY REPORTERS ON SUNDAY, FEB. 4, AT A POLLING STATION IN SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA. ARNULFO FRANCO/AP

Love& Sex

LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX

Baby-maker playlist

P. 9

RELATIONSHIP ANARCHY Toxic Masculinity: Gender stereotypes are not destiny

GUIDE 2018 Love & sex resources on campus

P. 17

P. 11

P. 16

Sex-positive venues and events P. 17

Common signs of abuse P. 16

Oregon’s history of sexual oppression and freedom P. 14

Common STIs in Oregon P. 10

LOVE & SEX

A non-exhaustive list of sex, sexuality and relationship terms and explanations. These terms can be stacked as needed to describe gender and sexuality. this glossary defines man and woman as people who identify as such.

SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS

abrosexual: Also called fluid sexuality, when one’s sexuality is fluid and/or changing

androsexual: Sexual or romantic attraction to masculinity. This is different than being attracted to men because it encompasses all gender identities.

asexual: Not experiencing sexual attraction or urges. Asexual people can have romantic feelings. Not to be confused with celibacy.

bisexual: A person who has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attractions to those of the same gender and to those of another gender

ROMANTIC ORIENTATIONS aromantic:

Not experiencing, or experiencing very little, romantic attraction; exists on a spectrum.

consensual non-monogamy: When partners decide together to pur-

sue sexual, romantic or emotional relationships with other people while still remaining sexually, romantically and/or emotionally involved with each other. Many different types of consensual non-monogamy relationships exist, such as polyamory, swinging and open relationships.

demisexual: Not experiencing sexual attraction toward someone until after monogamy: an emotional connection has been established. This connection can be romantic or not.

gay: Attracted to the same gender as your own. Most commonly refers to men lesbian: Women who are attracted to women graysexual:

As defined by individuals, existing somewhere between asexual and sexual, neither or both

gynosexual: Sexual or romantic attraction to femininity that encompasses

other

Two people sexually and romantically involved with only each

platonic attraction:

Different from a friendship because there is a craving for deeper emotional intimacy without crossing into romantic or sexual feelings

polyamory:

Romantic, sexual and emotional intimacy with more than one person at the same time

novosexual: Sexual attraction that changes based on the gender(s) a per-

GENDER

pansexual: Attracted to all genders

cisgender: A term used to describe people who are not transgender

all gender identities

heterosexual: Attracted to the opposite sex and/or gender son is experiencing

agender: A term used to describe people who do not have a gender

queer: An adjective used by some people whose sexual orientation is not gender exclusively heterosexual

questioning: People who are unsure of or are exploring their sexual and/ or romantic orientation

SEX

intersex: An umbrella term describing people born with reproductive or sex-

ual anatomy and/or a chromosome pattern that can’t be classified as typically male or female

sex: The classification of a person as male or female

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PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

expression: External manifestations of gender expressed through a person’s name, pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, and/or body characteristics genderfluid:

Term used by some people who experience their gender identity and/or gender expression as changeable rather than fixed

gender identity: A person’s internal, deeply held sense of their gender non-binary and/or genderqueer: Terms used by some people who experience their gender identity and/or gender expression as falling outside the categories of cisgender transgender:

An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth

LOVE & SEX

Dating App Horoscope

DJ Salinger Playlist of the Week

ALANNA MADDEN

I don’t know anything about you, why you’re single, or why you’re reading this article. But, because nothing even matters anymore, let me give you dating app suggestions based on your zodiac sign. Read your full zodiac compatibility online at psuvanguard.com.

THE BABY MAKER ALANNA MADDEN This week’s playlist: The Baby Maker features an optimistic hour of sultry, rhythmic, bass-heavy tracks. 1. Visit to The Gynecologist Y Dr. Octagon Y Dr. Octagonecologyst 2. Stroker Ace Y Lovage Y Nathaniel Merriweather Presents... Lovage: Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By 3. Lover’s Theme (Bonus Track) Y Mechanical Me Y I Like Mixes EP 4. Love Again Y (Akineyele Back) feat. Gangsta Boo Y Run The Jewels, RTJ 2 5. Free Lunch Y Isaiah Rashad Y Free Lunch 6. Electric Relaxation Y A Tribe Called Quest Y Midnight Marauders 7. The Recipe Y Kendrick Lamar feat. Dr. Dre Y good kid, m.A.A.d city 8. The Lone Pistolero Y Tommy Guerrero Y No Man’s Land 9. Redbone Y Childish Gambino Y “Awaken, My Love!” 10. In Your Eyes Y feat. Charlotte Day Wilson Y BADBADNOTGOOD, IV 11. Football Head Y Flamingosis Y Pleasure Palette 12. Special Affair Y The Internet Y Ego Death 13. OKAGA, CA Y Tyler, The Creator Y Cherry Bomb 14. Sensual Woman Y The Herbaliser Y Very Mercenary Listen to DJ Salinger’s weekly playlist online at psuvanguard.com or follow on Spotify.

Should you do the sex?

CAPRICORN DEC. 22–JAN. 19 Best app: CMB Close second: Tinder, Sweatt

AQUARIUS JAN. 20–FEB.18 Best app: CMB Close second: Tinder, Sweatt

PISCES FEB. 19–MAR .20 Best app: Hinge Close second: Sweatt, Tinder

ARIES MAR. 21-APR. 19 Best app: Hinge Close second: Bumble, OkCupid

TAURUS APR. 20–MAY 20 Best app: Tinder Close second: Sweatt, CMB

GEMINI MAY 21–JUNE 20 Best app: OkCupid Close second: Hinge, Bumble

CANCER JUNE 21–JULY 22 Best app: Tinder Close second: Sweatt, CMB

LEO JULY 23-AUG. 22 Best app: OkCupid Close second: Hinge, Bumble

VIRGO AUG. 23–SEPT. 22 Best app: Sweatt Close second: CMB, Tinde

LIBRA SEPT. 23–OCT.22 Best app: Bumble Close second: Hinge, OkCupid

SCORPIO OCT. 23–NOV. 21 Best app: Tinder Close second: Sweatt, CMB,

SAGITTARIUS NOV. 22–DEC. 21 Best app: Hinge Close second: Bumble, OkCupid

A flowchart for your consensual confusions

no

Start here

are you drunk ?

yes

are they drunk ?

yes

They cannot consent

Enjoy the coitus, & use protection!

no did you ask if you could have sex ?

You cannot consent

yes no

did they say yes ?

yes no

Don’t do the sex!

you should ask

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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LOVE & SEX

STDs: Did you catch them all? ALANNA MADDEN Transmission of STIs continues to be an issue in the United States and in Multnomah County, Ore. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, STDs have been on the upswing in the U.S. As of 2016, the three most common STIs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Each of these STIs affect all sexes equally and have the ability to be asymptomatic.

GONORRHEA

CHLAMYDIA

SYPHILIS

Regardless of your sex, symptoms of chlamydia include abnormal discharge and burning sensations during urination. When chlamydia infects the rectum, pain, discharge and bleeding may occur. Chlamydia can cause pain and swelling in one or both testicles. Untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, causing infertility and complications for pregnancy later on.

Universal symptoms of gonorrhea are painful urination, increased or abnormal discharge or irregular bleeding from genitals or rectum. Females often experience symptoms similar to a common bladder infection. Gonorrhea can cause pain and swelling in one or both testicles. Neglecting treatment can also cause infertility in all individuals. Syphilis develops over three disease stages: primary, secondary and tertiary. This STD can also enter a latent stage in which symptoms are undetectable. The disease can easily develop from secondary to tertiary stage, carrying dangerous health implications with it. Primary syphilis is symptoms usually involve sores at the infection site. The sores are typically firm, round and painless and can take up to six weeks to heal. Although the sores heal without treatment, the disease can be

treated properly to avoid progressing into secondary stage. Secondary syphilis symptoms are typically mild and not always noticeable. Symptoms involve a skin rash or skin lesions around mucosal membranes, such as oral tissue or skin in and around the genitals and anus. Swollen lymph nodes are often accompanied with a fever, and a rough, dry spotted rash will appear on the palms of hands and feet. Tertiary stage is the most dangerous stage of syphilis, as it usually develops over a latent period of 10–30 years. The patient may be completely unaware of their disease. Severe medical problems can affect important body organs such as the heart, brain and eyes. Neurosyphilis and ocular syphilis result from tertiary stage and may also be associated with symptoms such as patchy hair loss, sore throat, headache, weight loss, muscle aches and chronic fatigue.

Each of these STIs are generally most common for individuals between the ages 17–25 and can be transmitted through body fluids, oral sex, vaginal intercourse or anal sex. All three STIs are curable and preventable, but also incredibly contagious. The only way to avoid contracting STIs is through using protection and having regular health checkups with your doctor.

SYDNEY BARDOLE

SOURCES: HTTP://WWW.OREGON.GOV BY CHLOE KENDALL

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LOVE & SEX

Sexual Health

Resources RESOURCES AT SHAC • • • • • • • • • • •

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) screenings Wellness exam (breast exam, pelvic exam, pap smears) Contraceptive counseling, family planning Rapid HIV testing Pregnancy testing Birth control (including IUDs, nexplanon, diaphragms) Emergency contraception (Plan B) Trans care PrEP Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) Wellness & Health Action Team (WHAT) sexual health workshops

Schedule an appointment at SHAC by calling 503.725.2800 or book online using the SHAC Patient Portal https://mychart.shac.pdx.edu

SEXUAL + RELATIONSHIP HEALTH RESOURCES Illuminate Illuminate—PSU’s relationship & sexual violence prevention program—seeks to prevent sexual and intimate partner violence by creating positive social change through prevention programming and social norms campaigns. Illuminate uses the power of prevention education to promote healthy relationships and sexuality by addressing the underlying behavioral and social determinants of violence and to create equal respectful relationships. To find out more about Illuminate or to sign up for an upcoming workshop, visit pdx.edu/shac/illuminate

FREE SAFE SEX SUPPLIES Condoms (including latex-free and non-lubricated) Dental dams Lubricant Dental Dams: A thin square piece of latex that can be used during oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex. The dental dam is placed over the vulva or anus before performing oral sex. The barrier helps prevent STIs. Lube: Lubricant can be a great way to enhance the sexual experience. If you are going to use lube during sex, here are a few things to know: • • • •

Use only water- or silicone-based lube. If using sex toys, use only water-based lube. Do not use oil-based lube (i.e. Vaseline, olive oil, baby oil, massage oil, etc.). Oil-based lube can damage and/or break condoms. Do not use flavored lube for vaginal/anal sex. It can cause yeast infections.

ADDITIONAL ON-CAMPUS RESOURCES SHAC Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) SHAC offers a fully integrated SANE program to support students of any gender who are survivors of misconduct. A SANE is a specially trained nurse who can help you address health concerns and collect forensic evidence following a sexual assault. Visits are CONFIDENTIAL. 1880 SW 6th Ave., Suite 200 (University Center Building) www.pdx.edu/shac/sexual-assault 503.725.2800 Hours: M–Th 9 a.m.–5 p.m. F 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. SHAC Counseling Services 1880 SW 6th Ave., Suite 200 (University Center Building) www.pdx.edu/shac/counseling 503.725.2800 Hours: M–Th 9 a.m.–5 p.m. F 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Women’s Resource Center Open to people of all genders www.pdx.edu/wrc 503.725.5672 1802 SW 10th & Montgomery Queer Resource Center www.pdx.edu/queer 503.725.5672 1825 SW Broadway, SMSU Suite 458 Hours: M-Th 9 a.m.–7 p.m. F 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Campus Public Safety Office www.pdx.edu/cpso Emergency: 503.725.4404 Non-Emergency: 503.725.4407 633 SW Montgomery St.

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Explicit comunication in the age of #Metoo LISTENING AND RESPECTING THE WISHES OF OTHERS IS SEXY JAKE JOHNSON #MeToo has some men nervous about how they behave around women, and they should be. These movements exist to hold perps accountable for being pervs and to show solidarity to the tragically large number of people who have been sexually assaulted and harassed. This problem is mostly due to a society built upon the foundations of toxic masculinity and misogyny. Our president was elected after bragging about sexual assault. The USA Gymnastics Doctor Larry Nassar, who sexually assaulted more than 150 women, said he didn’t want to listen to his victims’ testimonies because it was too traumatizing for him. Boo-freaking-hoo. Harvey Weinstein will continue to make all of the money. Roy Moore feels cheated. Al Franken was able to resign. Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K. and Aziz Ansari will most likely continue to be celebrated because they’re sorry. All of that needs to stop, and we decide when. Men’s desires are not more important

than women’s or queer folks’ desires. We need to embrace sex-positivity with opencommunication arms. Sexual education in this country needs to be reformed to include the socialization of sex, and a big part of socialization is communication.

EXPLICIT COMMUNICATION DOES NOT MEAN DICK PICS

Explicit, sex-positive communication with a date or partner is about stating clearly and without doubts or confusion where you think the chemistry is headed. “Hey I feel like kissing you,” and waiting for “Yeah, that’d be cool” should come before just going for it. We need to be more comfortable talking about sexuality and our feelings, and we need to be more respectful of other people’s boundaries, limits and desires. Sometimes those desires include, “Give me some space, please.” Some might view explicit communication in this fashion as not being romantic

or being unable to read body language. Unfortunately, because of the power imbalance present in our society, sometimes women don’t feel safe rejecting men because they fear violent retaliation. If you aren’t sure if feelings are mutual, don’t steam things up; cool them down. Give people their space, check in to make sure they’re comfortable with where things are at and where you think they’re going, and never impede a person’s ability—or perceived ability—to exit a situation if they want to. Explicit communication is not about saying, “fuck, shit, ass, vagina, penis and tits;” it’s about making sure everyone is without a doubt on the same page. Additionally, it’s important to remember that communication is not communication if you’re not actively listening.

ACTIVE LISTENING

When engaging in sex-positive, explicit communication, we need to practice ac-

tive listening. Don’t think about that delicious bean, rice and cheese burrito with the green sauce from King Burrito and bob your head as though you really hear what the other person is saying. Actually internalize what they are telling you and respect their wishes. If you need clarification about what another person wants or needs, ask politely to make sure you understand. At this point, respect, remember, learn and take action by acting appropriately according to how people want to be treated. Holding hands, touchin’ butts and makin’ sex are all better if everyone involved is comfortable—if someone isn’t, apologize and respect their wishes. We are all individuals hoping to navigate another fucked up year with as little discomfort and as much happiness as possible. Check in with others and respect them. Let’s be better. Communicating clearly and listening actively creates fuller, healthier and more premium relationships.

SYDNEY BARDOLE

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LOVE & SEX

Name that genitalia! C

A

O

B

E

H

I

D

J K

SYDNEY BARDOLE

F

G

L

N

M

WORD BANK LABIA MAJORA

MEATUS

GLANS OF PENIS

CORONA

LABIA MINORA

SHAFT

URETHRA

PREPUCE

CLITORAL HOOD

VAGINA

SCROTAL RAPHE

ARETHA

CLITORIS

MONS PUBIS

SCROTUM

VOLVO

VIAGRA

ANUS

BALL SACK

VULVA

A: MEATUS B: PREPUCE C: GLANS OF PENIS

D: SHAFT E: CORONA F: SCROTAL RAPHE

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

13

G: SCROTUM H: CLITORAL HOOD I: CLITORIS

J: URETHRA K: LABIA MINORA L: LABIA MAJORA

M: VAGINA N: ANUS O: MONS PUBIS

LOVE & SEX

A blow to bigotry HOW OREGON DECRIMINALIZED HOMOSEXUALITY EVAN SMILEY Oregon became the fourth state to decriminalize homosexuality after revised Sodomy Laws took effect on Jan. 1, 1972. Sodomy laws still exist all across the United States, and these laws define what constitutes normal and abnormal sexual behavior punishable by law. Present-day Oregon law defines oral and anal sex as deviant sexual behavior. And though the state only prosecutes cases involving children and other non-consenting individuals, the ability for a government to define and enforce certain sexual behaviors among its citizens creates potential problems for discrimination and injustice. The first instances of Oregon sodomy legislation are in the Statutes of Oregon of 1853: “Every person who shall commit sodomy, or the crime against nature, either with mankind or any beast, shall on conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary not more than five years nor less than one year.” Vague and short as it was, the sodomy clause from 1853 survived for over a century though it underwent extensive debate and revision. After the Vice Clique Scandal of 1912—in which a few well-known and prestigious businessmen of Oregon were put on trial for homosexual acts—citizens demanded stricter sodomy legislation. Revisions made in 1913 deemed any sexual act outside of male/female vaginal intercourse a legal transgression

in the state of Oregon. These revisions also tripled the maximum prison sentence from five years to 15 years. During this time, many people also began supporting sterilization legislation that ultimately passed in 1917. Under this law, a person was subject to sterilization if they were found to be: “feeble minded, insane, epileptic, habitual criminals, moral degenerates and sexual perverts, who are persons potential to producing offspring who, because of inheritance of inferior or antisocial traits, would probably become a social menace, or a ward of the State.” The law defined “moral degenerates and sexual perverts” as people who participated in sodomy and defined sodomy as anything other than heterosexual vaginal intercourse. The reality is that the Sodomy Law of 1913 and the Sterilization Law of 1917 actively and directly targeted gay individuals—particularly men—as a means of systematic oppression and punishment. These laws stayed in effect relatively unchanged for about 40 years. During the 1960s—due to the growing success of the Civil Rights Movements—other oppressed groups, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals and other minorities, began to protest and make their voices heard. However, change did not come quickly or without opposition. Some revisions to the sodomy laws during this time regarded age and consent, while others resulted in further

sexual oppression, such as the inclusion of cunnilingus to the definition of sodomy in 1961. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Sexual Liberation and Gay Rights Movements gained traction as a political force in the U.S. In 1965, Oregon legislature eliminated the phrase “moral degenerates and sexual perverts” from the Sterilization Law, removing physical punishment from sodomy convictions. Finally, in 1971, Governor Tom McCall signed the revisions of Oregon Sodomy Law, removing same-sex sexual activity as a legal transgression. Sterilization remained Oregon law, discriminating against numerous individuals—particularly women and individuals struggling with mental health—until its repeal in 1983. Homosexuality would not be decriminalized in all 50 states until more than a generation later with the Supreme Court ruling in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003. From being the fourth state to decriminalize homosexuality in 1972 to being the first state to recognize non-binary gender in 2016, Oregon now surpasses many states in sexual freedom and acceptance. A Blow to Bigotry: Oregon Decriminalizes Homosexuality was originally published online at Public History PDX and on KBOO radio. Author and Vanguard Editor-in-Chief Evan Smiley is a student of the Portland State history department.

Tips for a healthy breakup REEM ALKATTAN Navigating a breakup in a healthy way is challenging, especially if partners have been together for a long time. When complications like combined bank accounts or shared belongings are thrown into the mix, breaking up becomes a more difficult. No matter what the situation involves, experts recommend approaching the conversation head-on. “It is best to have a face-to-face break-up conversation,” said Assistant Director of Portland State Student Legal Services April Kusters. “Having your soon-to-be ex come home to your absence, or ‘ghosting’ or texting might seem attractive because it’s conflict avoidant, but ultimately it’s not the most mature thing to do.”

BE HONEST

Being transparent from the beginning of a relationship can also make breakups easier. “You have to be honest with yourself,” said Lisa Heinsdale, Mentor Program Coordinator with the Women’s Resource Center. “You [also] have to have good communication throughout the relationship to stay consistent.” “Set a certain time for the conversation, don’t catch your partner off guard and be honest with your feelings,” Heinsdale said. According to Heinsdale, the partner initiating the breakup should write down their feelings before they start the conversation. This list should include specific examples of past

14

or current bothersome behavior. Heinsdale also suggested using “I” statements instead of “you” statements, which can help the other person feel less defensive. “You have to be careful when talking, [and] watch how you phrase your words,” Heinsdale said. “Remember that blame is not effective.”

DIVIDING ASSETS

Kusters suggested cohabitant partners examine their lease contract if they rent an apartment together. “Often breaking a termed lease before the term is up will cost a month and a half rent,” Kusters said. “Check your rental agreement, [because] the lease-break fee is required to be in there to [make the lease] enforceable. Who will pay this fee? Can one of you stay and cover the rent? It’s important to do some searching and looking at your budget before having the breakup conversation.” Kusters added if partners share belongings that are difficult to divide, they can make a list of items each person wants, or they can divide possessions equally. “Keep in mind that it’s just stuff, and most personal property is replaceable and not worth fighting about if your ex really wants to keep the item,” said Kusters.

ENDING A TOXIC RELATIONSHIP

When deciding to leave an abusive relationship, it’s best to have an idea of what to say ahead of time and to have the

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

ROBBY DAY conversation in a public setting. “If your partner is abusive, let friends know and be aware of the situation,” Heinsdale said. Heinsdale stressed the importance of having a support system around to offer perspective when leaving an abusive partner. “Pay attention to red flags,” Heinsale said. “People usually ignore them because they think [they] can change.” Students needing support navigating a breakup can drop in for counseling at the Center for Student Health and Counseling at 1880 SW 6th Ave. or by calling (503) 725-2800.

&Black

LOVE & SEX

When the heart turns White

白黒つけたい！？バレンタインデー～日本と韓国事情～

VALENTINE’S DAY TRADITIONS IN JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA LI CHUN WU The smell of chocolates and flowers fills the air all over the United States on Feb. 14. The same is true in Japan and South Korea, but their Valentine’s Day traditions are a little different. Women in Japan and South Korea traditionally give chocolates and other treats to male friends and coworkers, as well as to boyfriends, husbands and men they are interested in. In Japan, chocolates for male friends are called giri-choco, or “obligation chocolate.” Chocolates given to romantic interests, on the other hand, are called honmei-choco, or “true feeling chocolate,” and are usually more elaborate. “If it is a guy I like, I would make him a cake,” said Japanese student Yukako Ishigaki. “[For] others I would just give a lot of cheap chocolates.” Where does this tradition come from? Some say it originated as a marketing scheme by companies that were trying to promote chocolate sales. “When I was a kid, my parents told me that on Valentine’s Day girls give boys chocolates,” said Intensive English Learning Program student Takamasa Hasegawa. On March 14, one month after Valentine’s Day, people in Japan and South Korea celebrate White Day, when men return the favor

る。インテンシブ・イングリッシュ・ランゲー ジ・プログラム（IELP）に所属する日本出身 の 長 谷 川 貴 政さんは「 小さいころから、男 性は女 性からチョコをもらうと両 親から聞 いた」 と振り返る。

ZELL THOMAS/PSU VANGUARD by giving chocolates back to women they are interested in. Black Day, April 14, is specifically for single people who didn’t receive gifts on either Valentine’s Day or White Day. People traditionally eat black bean noodles known as jajangmyeon. Korean IELP student Boran Chot explained,“If you used a color to refer to people not dating anyone, you would use black. That is the reason that you eat black bean noodles.” In the past, Chot celebrated Valentine’s Day and White Day every year, but because she is studying abroad, she said this year might be different. “I [will] probably eat jajangmyeon alone on Black Day.”

チョコの甘い匂いと花の香りが町中にあふ れる２月１４日の「 バレンタインデ ー 」。米 国では 、カップルが 花 などを贈って愛 情を 伝え合う日とされているが、日本や韓 国は ちょっと異なる。日本では女 性 が男性にチ ョコレートを贈る日であり、バレンタインデ ー から１か月後 の３月１４日は 、男 性 が 女 性にお返しのクッキーなどを贈る「ホワイト デ ー 」がある。韓 国では 贈り物 などを受け 取れなかった独身男女が４月１４日に黒い タレをかけたチャジャンミョン（ 韓 国 風パス タ）を食べる「ブラックデー」も存在する。 なぜ男性はバレンタインデーに女 性から チョコをもらうのか 。日本では製 菓 業 者 が 販 売 促 進のために普 及し、定 着したとされ

バレンタインデ ーに、日本では女 性 が 好 きな男性だけでなく、男性の友 人や同 僚に もチョコを贈る。好きな男 性 に渡 すのが「 本 命チョコ」、そうでない男性に「 義 理チョ コ」を配るのだ。IE L Pで英 語を学んでいる 日 本 出身の 石 垣 佑 佳 子 さんは「 好 きな 男 性には手 作りケーキを上げるが、それ以 外 の男性は大 量 生 産できるクッキーなどにす る」と語り、 「 本 命 」と「 義 理 」には明 確な差 をつけるという。 一方で、韓国ではバレンタインデーとホワ イトデーの両日、どちらもチョコなどをもら えなかった人はチャジャンミョンを食べる。 ＩＥＬＰで学ぶ韓 国 人 女 性のチェ・ボランさ んは「 恋 人 がいないことで心 が 黒くなるだ ろうと思われ、黒いタレをかけたチャジャン ミョンを食べることも習慣になった」 と説明 した。これまで 毎 年 恋 人とバレンタインデ ーとホワイトデ ーを過ごしてきたチェさん は「 今 年は留 学しているので、４月１４日に 一 人でチャジャンミョンを食べようかな」と 苦笑いした。

Booty call etiquette ANDREW D. JANKOWSKI Whether you’re seeking a long-term partner, friend with benefits or booty call, dating and hookup apps have permanently changed the way Americans date. There’s an app for every sexual orientation on the spectrum—even dating sites and apps for asexual people. How can you be successful when each app comes with its own rules and expectations? Here are some basic guidelines that make sliding into those DMs more successful and fun.

HONESTY IS THE BEST USER POLICY

Be upfront about what brings you to the app. There’s no need to write a Buzzfeed-length listicle of expectations, but don’t say you’re looking to hook up when you want a relationship, or vice versa. You and the other person are just going to find trouble if you’re not honest.

SHOWCASE YOUR BEST REALITY

This is an extension of the honesty policy and applies to your photos. Use a recent photo, but something that showcases you in an environment that’s both natural and true to you. Unless you’re Lady Gaga, there’s no need to post photos of yourself hiking if you’re not into hiking.

YOU ARE ENTITLED TO NOTHING

Don’t wind up canceled like Kevin Spacey, et al. I know that person on the app is super hot, super interesting, super whatever. It’s a different experience, getting a lot of messages vs. getting few messages, or being the primary sender or primary receiver. The point is, if someone doesn’t get back to you immediately, it’s okay. They don’t owe you a response; and likewise, if someone is messaging you and you’re not comfortable, you don’t owe them any kind of response. Nobody likes getting harassed in their DMs.

GET TESTED!

If you have more than one regular sex partner, you should be getting tested for STI’s every three to six months, even if you use safe sex practices. Facilities like Planned Parenthood, Prism Health Center, Portland State’s Student Health and Counseling or your primary care physician can help. The right person is going to come your way. Whether you download them or find them the IRL, you just have to let them come to you. Happy swiping, woofing or whatever you’re into these days.

SILVIA CARDULLO/PSU VANGUARD

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Transcending toxic masculinity

GENDER STEREOTYPES ARE NOT DESTINY

KIRK JUNGLES Toxic masculinity is a term often used to describe Western understandings of manhood that are ultimately harmful to men and society at large, including the pursuit of status, exertion of dominance over other people and excessive self-reliance. Academics in the field have written that these expectations of men, along with all other forms of masculinity, are socially constructed. I’ve heard quite a bit of discussion recently about the nature of masculinity and its tendency to err towards toxicity, but I’ve heard very little about the potential for goodness within the nature of men and what might constitute healthy masculinity. If we are to believe the claims of the potentially destructive nature of socially constructed masculinity, what, then, should we do as men to reject the negative influences that shape not only our perceptions of our identity, but also our behavior in society? Our solution lies within understanding that our perceived social roles are not destinies we must fulfill. Each of us is responsible for developing our own system of values and conducting ourselves in such a way that allows us to reach the greatest heights of our individual potentials. To understand how we should act in the world, we

ZELL THOMAS/PSU VANGUARD

should first make a meaningful effort to know where we stand in relation to society at large. Naturally, this is a complicated issue, and I encourage us to reject any attempts to oversimplify the issue by categorizing us all as being either malevolent propagators of an oppressive patriarchy or innocent victims of some nefarious Marxistfeminist conspiracy. We have certain privileges as men, but we are ultimately shaped by our individual experiences and decisions. Our privileges and expected social roles cannot be the final arbiters of how we live our lives. We can live healthy, fulfilling lives without having our good behavior exist only within the confines of masculinity, and we can derive our own value without worrying if others view us as masculine. If we free ourselves from the societal constraints and expectations imposed upon men, recognize that we have the potential to create something beautiful with our lives, commit ourselves to a value system that will allow us to exist in cooperation with the world around us and take responsibility for ourselves, for the well being of those around us and for the fulfillment of our own purpose, the world might be a little bit better off.

Signs of abuse ANAMIKA VAUGHAN Romantic partnerships go through rough patches, and fighting is normal. But partner abuse is dangerous, sustained and intentional—and unfortunately, it’s not uncommon. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an average of 20 people per minute are physically abused by a significant other in the United States, equating to over 10 million people per year.

COMMON WARNING SIGNS OF ABUSE Controlling Behavior

An abusive partner’s controlling behavior can manifest in a variety of ways, such as controlling your time by placing undue restrictions on priorities, interests and activities and isolating you from friends and family. Controlling behavior may also come in the form of emotional manipulation: threatening suicide, placing conditions on love and withdrawing affection as punishment for unwanted behaviors.

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Consistent Negative Verbal Attention

Abusive behavior can also come in the form of verbal abuse, whether it’s name calling, threats, put-downs, humiliation, hypercriticism, guilt tripping or making mean jokes at your expense. Anything said that undermines your self-confidence is a form of verbal abuse.

Emotional Behavior

It’s not uncommon for an abusive partner to have an erratic or volatile emotional life. They may demonstrate mood swings, hypersensitivity and even blame others or you for their own feelings or mistakes.

Physical Violence

Physical abuse may be the most obvious of all the signs, but it’s too important to not mention. Your partner should not be hitting you, engaging you in sexual acts without your consent or causing injuries. Feeling unsafe is never part of a healthy relationship. If you think you or somebody else may be in trouble, reach out to the Women’s Resource Center and the Center for Student Health and Counseling.

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

LISA KOHN

LOVE & SEX

Relationship Anarchy A FEMINIST TWIST ON RELATIONSHIPS CLAIRE MEYER It’s comforting and reassuring to have labels and categorize yourself. Thousands of online quizzes can tell you everything from what your exact personality type is to what your specific sexuality is to what sushi you are. People take comfort in labels especially when it comes to relationships. From relationship statuses on social media to wedding rings, it seems important for relationships be clearly and publicly defined. It’s no surprise then that when we remove these labels— or even start to question them—it creates, for some, total chaos. It’s in this state of romantic anarchy that subculture groups arose and started to thrive, groups such as Relationship Anarchy. Often confused as a synonym for polyamory, relationship anarchy is a nontraditional relationship style, whether romantic or platonic, in which a special focus is put on open communication and constant questioning of norms between partners. RA is a feminist practice in that it breaks down patriarchal relationship norms. “I think the more you’re confronting heteronormative beliefs, the more you’re going to bump into...I don’t want to say problems, but areas where you have to work harder,” said RA practicer Kale Gosen, who identifies as a queer, non-monogamous sex-positive feminist. “I want relationships based around consent and communication, Gosen added. “I highly value autonomy and direct

communication, and therefore I won’t ask you for permission to do things, but I will talk to you about how you feel for as long as you need to!” RA aims to address areas of heterosexuality that can be problematic by deconstructing and dissecting what it means to be in a relationship and customizing relationships to individual needs. “The idea of developing an explicitly ethical way of doing relationships resonates with key feminist ivdeas around…the idea that the personal is political,” said Dr. Meg John Baker, a relationship anarchist, sex and gender therapist and senior psychology lecturer. Although nontraditional lifestyles like RA can be more feminist oriented, much of the population has unfavorable views of them. According to a study from the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, “Although a sizable number of individuals engage in CNM [consensual non-monogamy], these relationships are highly stigmatized. Compared to monogamous relationships, CNM relationships are perceived by the public as less satisfying and lower in relationship quality; those involved in CNM are perceived as fundamentally flawed.” Perhaps this has to do with the large misconception that CNM is solely an excuse to sleep around. “Many people think RA is for people who just want to have a lot of sex,” said Sally Eck, a Portland State professor

CHLOE KENDALL in the women’s studies department. Eck hosts RA meetings at her home. “If that’s all someone wants, then I think relationship anarchy is way too much work. It’s a tremendous amount of work to live your life outside of assumption.” Rather than a free-forall, Eck looks at RA as “an opportunity for conscious relating.” RA practice emphasizes openness, communication, respect, cooperation and consent, and the principles of relationship anarchy can be practiced by everyone, even monogamous individuals. Swedish activist and author of the RA instructional manifesto Andie Nordgren wrote, “Relationship anarchy is not about never committing to anything—it’s about designing your own commitments with the people around you.”

Sex-postive venues JESIKA WESTBROOK

When you hear “kinkiest city in America,” what city comes to mind? Maybe Las Vegas, the famed city of sin, or New York, the city that never sleeps? They have to fill those waking hours somehow. But neither of these cities took the top spot. Surprise, surprise: Portland ranked kinkiest city in America by Kink University. And it’s not surprising why. A myriad of venues and parties that cater to an alternative lifestyle are just a Google search away. Here’s my list of inclusive, sex-positive venues and events for anyone who wants to explore another side of Portland.

CATALYST

Catalyst is the only 18+ venue of its kind in Portland. Navigating its website reveals plenty of information for newcomers, as well as a calendar with several events. Standout events include the TNG Party and How Queer! A Queer Dungeon Party, both of which take place one Saturday per month. The TNG Party welcomes guests ages 18– 35 with preceding workshops, so it is an ideal destination for learning in a young,

comfortable environment. How Queer! welcomes queer-identified people and allies alike. The Queer parties focus on creating a safe place for members of the LGBTQ+ community to express themselves. Both of these events have a door fee of $15.

SANCTUARY CLUB

Located within walking distance of campus, the venue is 21+. The eye-catching event on its calendar was a simple Meet and Greet. With a more affordable door fee of $5, this weekly Friday event is an affordable and low-key way to expose yourself to Portland’s kink scene.

PORTLAND LEATHER ALLIANCE

Formed in 1998, this venue focuses on “education and awareness of alternative lifestyles.” It promotes and hosts a variety of workshops, classes and social gatherings across Portland. While it does not have a single set meeting place, PLA advertises events at several venues around town. Its calendar is jam-packed, but there are just two play parties listed.

PDX-RATED

On the first Friday of every month, PDXRated takes the stage at the historical Bossanova Ballroom. PDX-Rated is “Portland’s premier kink party” and is good for both the experienced and those new to the scene. According to the event page, the venue hosts a variety of “kinky furniture.” There are also tasters available throughout the night “to explain certain types of BDSM play and even guide you through a sample experience.” If you’re over 21 and curious, this event is well worth your Friday night. Tickets are $12 if purchased in advance, $15 at the door and $20 at the door after 10 p.m.

tional leather, fetish and kink businesses.” Finally, after the classes are done for the day, Kinkfest hosts evening play parties every night of the convention. This is Kinkfest’s 20th year, so you can expect it to be extra special. If you’re interested in learning about alternative lifestyles and practices, registering as soon as possible is the way to go. A standard pass is $200, but there are other cheaper options if you don’t intend to attend all three days.

KINKFEST 2018

This once-a-year convention is put on by PLA, and it is a prime time for learning. March 30 through April 1 of this year, Kinkfest will take over the Portland Expo Center. Sprinkled across the three days are a whole host of workshops and educational classes. You can visit the vendor mall between classes, which is “filled with products and services from local and na-

SILVIA CARDULLO/PSU VANGUARD

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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To my Valentine… To my stinky nugget You stanky. Love, Yayay

Submitted by members of the PSU community

To my Pupper

Your witty intelligence and adventurous, multi-colored personality have stolen my heart; your ability to make me smile every time I see you is impressive - I Love You.

My Heartshine Love Treasure

Hello love, thank you for being a wonderful joy in my life. You bring light, happiness and joy every day & I am forever grateful for you. Thank you for agreeing to marry me. Yours truly, Amethyst.

To Baby Blue

I listen to your voice as the record spins, rose filled cheeks, constant grin. I watch as your fingers dance, across the strings as you sneak a bashful glance, love gin

Two southern belles

Here we are, two little southern belles. Friends in love, 11 years. Working side by side. Who is working on this layout? Is it you, or I, or another? U r a dear friend, on or off the carpenters table.

Dog daddy Kell Bear

I love u & our little family. Thank you for loving me and not trying to fix me, but here to watch me fix myself. Ur my fav.

Happier with you

I can’t imagine a better way to spend a Wednesday than at home with you, two stinky cats and Netflix. I’ll never get bored as long you’re in my life.

To Aaron, my refuge

You make me feel safe and secure like I’ve never felt before. Thank you for your patience and trust as we travel this journey together. I’ll never love another.

I’ll never find another

Really, there’s no one sweeter than you on the whole planet. I don’t think I could ever top your 2017 Valentine surprise. But here’s a not to tell you how much I love you?

Crazy catnip lady

Did you know cats can get off olives just like they do off catnip? I feel crazier-in-love when I’m with you than a kitty who ate a whole olive catnip pizza to herself! --Camille

To my Jellybean Joe

I never expected to find someone who loves Jellybeans more than me. What a wonderful life we lead on the edge of sugar overload at any possible moment. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Remember the words?

Remember how you said we’d be just like them? Together forever, better together? I’m still here. I’ll keep my promise. Please come home.

Candy hearts

These pastel hearts taste like chalk, And send messages when we don’t talk U up? U down? Sup boo? IDK where you are, but I wanna talk to you

Waiting for U in tha hood

I don’t have a valentine, but maybe you don’t either? We could go see Boyz in the Hood this Friday at 7 p.m. I’ll meet you out front in a red blazer.

Thank you for being a friend

To My Boygita

Home is whenever I’m with you.

Rachel, I am so proud of you and all you’ve accomplished this year. I’m inspired by your hard work and dedication, and I can’t wait to see where you go next.

To my buddy valentine

To Jeremy

Thanks for being there for me when everyone else sucks. Cheers to another hazy V-day.

BFFs over BFs

Year after year, you’ve always been my number one. I’ll be your forever valentine. I’ll let you be in my dream in if I can be in yours.

To my Peewee

I love the great adventures you take me on. Though we never did make it to the Alamo, it was great to see you on your beautiful bicycle.

You can have my Pringles

Roses are red, violets are blue, I’ll sleep when I’m dead, because right now I’d rather hang out with you.

Megan

You a real one, thanks for letting me use your pink wig. Love you girl, stay rad!

You’ve been an amazing friend throughout the years. Maybe one day we can double date with our tall, handsome boyfriends, but for now I’m happy to fancy date you and make all the boyz jealous. Love, Boo Bubs

Alex the Great

To Alex: I know it’s been a rough year. You should be so, so proud of yourself for making it through. Your strength made us all feel stronger. Your light makes us lighter.

Who are you?

I’ve noticed you for two years now — black braids, camo jackets, sick sneaker game and a peacock feather tattoo. You’re beautiful. Hope to meet you one day.

It’s your turn, Brandon

Babe, you are patient and kind. You’ve helped people around you succeed your whole life. Now it’s your turn. I’m here to help you. I love you. I support you. Go get what’s yours.

To my baby daddy

Never did I imagine I’d be a mommy or you’d be a daddy so soon. As a big a surprise as this bump is, I wouldn’t want to embark into the unknown with anyone but you.

The Apple of my Inez

Your laugh, your smile, your style. It’s you. It’s always been you. I’ll love you for as long as you let me.

To mom

You’ve been my Valentine since day one. Some things never change. I miss you. Will you still be my Valentine?

To Danii

I miss your face and all the things attached to it. I’m still as much in love with you as I was at Village Fest. WHOOOO

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PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

OPINION

CHOCOLATE, DIAMONDS AND MODERN-DAY SLAVERY VALENTINE’S DAY PURCHASES MAY FUND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS ABROAD KIRK JUNGLES With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, many of us are looking for the perfect gift for our loved ones. We will soon navigate the familiar barrage of self-deprecating memes and original jokes about how the holiday was invented by a secret cabal of gift Wcard companies running shameless marketing campaigns to convince us that our relationships are only worth the dollar amount we invest in them. While it is widely known that chocolate and jewelry are among the most popular gifts purchased for Valentine’s Day, it is not as well known that the consumption of such goods provides funding for the enslavement, murder and suffering of millions of children employed in the diamond and chocolate industries in Africa.

CHOCOLATE AND CHILD LABOR

During Valentine’s week, it is expected that consumers in the U.S. will purchase more than 58 million pounds of chocolate, all of which uses raw cocoa of foreign origin. Most of the cocoa consumed in the U.S. is produced in West Africa, where the use of forced child labor is prominent and well documented by non-government organizations and the international community. Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana have been leaders in this field with an estimated 1.8 million children employed in hazardous conditions in any given year. Many of these children began their farming careers after being sold by family members at a young age or abducted by human trafficking cartels. Quite often, these cartels are also involved with commercial sexual exploitation of children and conscription of child soldiers. Even those who entered the cocoa industry in response to the threat of starvation rather than the threat of murder, the so-called voluntary child laborers, work in grueling conditions that have been internationally condemned by the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention by the International Labour Organization. The convention defines these conditions as “all forms of slavery,” commercial sexual ex-

ploitation of children or “work which, by its nature...is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children.” Violations of the convention are ubiquitous in the cocoa industry. Children as young as 5 wielding machetes, chainsaws and 50-pound bags of cocoa beans, are often forced to work 80-hour weeks in the hot sun facing constant exposure to dangerous insecticides and processing chemicals. Poor performance and attempts to escape the farms are punished with lashes. Injury is common; medical care is not.

DIAMONDS IN DEMAND

With diamond mining, the story is much the same. The tools used and the processes by which the goods are extracted are different, but the conditions of labor are no less dangerous. Children of the same age range are exploited under the same circumstances for the same reasons, and the punishment for failure to comply is still violence or worse. The revenue generated by the sale of raw diamonds is often used to fund armed conflicts in war-torn regions of Africa. Diamonds mined in war zones and used to fund military insurgencies are known as blood diamonds, and the armies funded by the sale of these diamonds are often notorious for human rights violations and conscription of child soldiers. It is estimated that up to 20 percent of diamonds in the global raw diamond trade are blood diamonds. Still, it is anticipated that American consumers will spend more than $4 billion on jewelry this Valentine’s Day, a substantial portion of which will include diamonds.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO?

We can make better purchasing decisions. We live in a society where we have the power and responsibility to buy products that don’t directly fund the murder and enslavement of children abroad. If your valentine is a chocolate fiend like mine, there are plenty of companies offering chocolate made with cocoa harvested under relatively safe conditions by farmers earning a

ROBBIE DAY

living wage. If a company is unwilling to make any kind of assurances regarding ethical harvesting, infer what you will. But if you think that a chunk of compressed carbon is the best way to express your love, I have nothing to offer you for reconciliation. In 2003, as part of a greater international effort to combat the sale of blood diamonds, the United Nations adapted the Kimberley Process, a complex system of warranties, checks and balances that requires all buyers and sellers of rough diamonds to guarantee the diamonds they are dealing with are not blood diamonds. However, loopholes in the process and the fact that raw diamonds are practically untraceable in their origins have rendered it largely ineffective.

Ultimately, there is no guarantee that money from the diamonds we purchase, even those labeled conflict-free by the Kimberley Process, is not actually used to fund child slavery and other crimes against humanity. The exploitation of these children will only continue as long as it remains profitable, and it will only remain a profitable venture as long as we continue to fund the exploiters. This year, let’s allow love to span beyond the confines of our personal relationships and into the lives of those we affect with our purchases. Refuse to buy unethically sourced chocolate. Refuse to buy diamonds. If your partner doesn’t appreciate it, at least your conscience will.

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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VIKING VOICES

JOIN THE FIGHT FOR BIRTH CONTROL Submitted by Ty Bennett, PSU student

This week is National Condom Week, and young people on college campuses across the country are distributing condoms, educating our peers on how to talk with partners about safer sex and staying healthy, talking about sexual and reproductive health and fighting for policies that protect their health and well-being. As a college student, I know firsthand the real need for young people to have access to condoms. Every year, the United States reports approximately 20 million new sexually transmitted infections, half among young people ages 15–24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And in September, the CDC announced that cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis all increased to more than 2 million in 2016, reaching record numbers for the third year in a row. Using a condom along with another method of birth control—such as the IUD, implant, shot or pill—is the best way to prevent both unintended pregnancy and STIs. That is why it’s important for everyone to have access to the full range of birth control methods. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act’s birth control benefit, which went into effect in 2012, most insurance plans now cover birth control without a copay. This benefit has helped millions of people gain access to reliable, affordable contraception. Access to birth control is not controversial. It’s basic health care for millions of people: Nearly nine in 10 women of reproductive age will use contraception at some point in their lives, whether for family planning or other medical reasons like treating endometriosis. But last October, the Trump administration took direct aim at birth control coverage for more than 62 million Americans, attempting to eliminate the ACA’s guarantee to no-copay birth control coverage regardless of where someone works or studies. The administration’s new exemptions would allow virtually any employer or school to deny coverage on religious or moral grounds. The ACA already allowed religiously affiliated employers to refuse to pay for coverage, while ensuring that women could still get birth control coverage directly from health plans—a protection the Trump administration also eliminated. This attempted rollback of access to affordable birth control coverage would negatively affect the lives of people across

ELENA KIM the country. In a 2017 survey, one-third of women voters said they could not afford prescription birth control costing more than $10. Before the ACA, oral contraceptives ran an out-ofpocket cost averaging between $10 and $50 a month. So during National Condom Week, we’re doubling down on the #Fight4BirthControl because no matter the method, everyone should have access to protection against both STIs and unintended pregnancy, regardless of where they go to school or where they work. When people have access to condoms and the full range of birth control methods, we all benefit. Now more than ever, we must fight to make the full range of birth control methods more accessible, not less. Planned Parenthood recently launched the #Fight4BirthControl campaign in a concerted effort to engage leaders in education, business and government to guard against the erosion of birth control access, and the Trump administration’s sustained attack on equal rights and people’s

ability to fully participate in the workforce and pursue their dreams. We need everyone—business leaders, activists, college presidents and artists—to join the fight for reproductive rights. Having access to birth control and being able to keep ourselves healthy means that we, as college students, have an active role in navigating our health and our future. University administrators should consider the facts and weigh the evidence about the benefits of birth control when they’re making decisions to protect or deny students’ access. No one—not the president, not our bosses, not our campus administration—should have the power to decide what we do with our bodies and our lives. We will not stop until every person can get the health care they need, including birth control— no matter what. Get involved at PPAOregon.org. PSU Senior majoring in women, gender and sexuality studies Ty Bennett serves as a legislative and electoral fellow for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon.

IT’S OKAY TO TALK ABOUT ABORTION Submitted by Missy Hannen, PSU student and Portland State Vanguard Copy Chief Depression, PTSD, suicidal tendencies, addiction, domestic abuse, death: My traumas are things I can talk about with people. These aren’t casual conversations, but they aren’t unbearable. I’ve worked through these experiences, and I’m in a place where I don’t cry or shy away from discussion. So why is my abortion treated differently by others? Abortion is polarizing, and many treat it like a black and white issue. Nothing’s ever black and white; the determination of ensoulment is gray. If you believe a soul enters the world the moment an egg is fertilized and cells begin replicating, then you probably think abortion is murder. If you believe a soul enters the world at lit-

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erally any other time during the stages of fetal development, or if you don’t believe in souls at all, you may not think abortion is murder. I believe in souls, and I’m frankly not sure when ensoulment takes place. But here’s the kicker: I believe abortion is murder, and I’m pro-choice. Boom, gray area. I don’t think anyone has the right to push their beliefs onto anyone else. I’m pretty sure the United States Constitution protects the rights to believe in anydamn-thing you want while free from persecution. This is why abortion is such a potent political issue, but it doesn’t have to be. In the last several decades, mental health

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

issues have become something people can talk about. Psychologists and psychiatrists—and the medication that ensues—are now regular aspects of American culture. Issues like depression, anxiety and addiction are now airing out, and if you find the right people, you can talk about almost anything. So why is it when I bring up my abortion, people turn pale? The conversation quickly changes topics. Most people look at me with surprise, some with sadness and sympathy, others with honest-to-God horror. I’m not saying you’re not allowed to be uncomfortable. If talking about my PTSD is weird to you, I get that. I just want abortion to be on the same page as the rest of the traumatic events

I and others have dealt with. I want to be able to tell you my story and tell you I’m okay without you having a knee-jerk reaction that says, “We shouldn’t be talking about this.” I am not representative of others. I’m sure there are plenty of people who do not want to talk about their mental health sufferings, so be cautious and respectful, but be open. If someone brings up their struggles to say they’re healing or healed, let them show you their scars. We all go through difficult shit in life, and talking about things helps ease pain. We live in a time where difficult conversations are no longer pushed aside, so let’s be comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s not taboo, so let’s talk about abortion.

COMICS

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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FEB. 13 – FEB. Feb.19 19

ON CAMPUS FEATURED EVENT:

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14

FRIDAY, FEB. 16

SUN, FEB. 18

FILM 5TH AVENUE CINEMA 13TH (2016) FREE, ALL AGES 7 P.M. Titled after the 13th Amendment which prohibited slavery—unless it was punishment for a crime—this documentary by Ava DuVernay explores the relationship between mass incarceration, race and justice. The film will be followed by a social justice discussion panel and is hosted by the PSU psychology club. A heavy film about injustice perpetrated under the guise of justice, exploitation of inmate labor for profits and other intense themes.

STUDY ABROAD NOON SUSTAINABLE KARL MILLER CENTER TRANSPORTATION IN 295 THE NETHERLANDS FREE, ALL AGES An hour of information about the two-week course in the Netherlands. The course will take students on a knowledge quest about how the Dutch approach cycling, transit, innovative, mobility and land use. There will be free pizza.

CONFERENCE NATIVE AMERICAN PISA CONFERENCE STUDENT AND 2018: DAY 1 COMMUNITY CENTER 4 P.M. (MULTI-DAY FREE, ALL AGES EVENT FEB. 16–17) Get checked in and running at the Pacific Islander Student Alliance conference. The first night will begin with an introduction to the conference, dinner, workshops and Talanoa with community activist and organizer Jes Phillip. Students only, pre-registration required.

FILM 5TH AVENUE CINEMA BOYZ N THE HOOD FREE W/ PSU ID $4–5 (1991) GEN., ALL AGES 3 P.M. (FEB. 16–18) From the early 1990’s Los Angeles hood-film canon featuring Ice Cube and Cuba Gooding Jr. The film is a struggle between the pursuit of dreams that can take you away and loyalty to your neighborhood. Internal conflict, love and lust, lowriders and revenge set to a solid soundtrack.

TUESDAY, FEB. 13 EARTH STUDENT AND LOVE YOUR PLANET! COMMUNITY CENTER NOON FREE, ALL AGES NATIVE AMERICAN This Valentine’s Day, don’t look for love in all the wrong places. Fenton Lutunatabua from 350Pacific.org and others talk about how you can love the planet and the people who protect it. MUSIC NATHAN TRUEB LIVE @ LUNCH: NOON PARKWAY NORTH NOON FREE, ALL AGES Trueb is a troubadour: He sings and writes solo songs as well as fronts the band Tango Alpha Tango. It is not clear what militarily spelling “tat” means exactly, but post-midterm brains may welcome an acoustic chill pill. ART OFFICE OF ACADEMIC PRIVATE PLACES - TIA INNOVATION (SMSU FACTOR 209) 4 P.M. FREE, ALL AGES Private Places explores the utopian ideas of exclusionary places: golf courses, gated communities, communes and others while asking, “Who and what get excluded as we put up the gates…and at what cost to ourselves and society?” Aesthetically, Factor’s works read like memories, rich and abstracted locations that leave the viewer peacefully intrigued.

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ART LITTMAN GALLERY ME, MYSELF & IT (SMSU 250) 12 P.M. FREE, ALL AGES Carla Rossi is the drag clown ghost of white privilege. Anthony Hudson has performed as Rossi for eight years. Over the course of the last five years, Hudson has documented Rossi’s makeup by taking prints of it after shows. The exhibition explores Hudson’s transformation and evolution of Rossi’s makeup coinciding with the ever-changing greater makeup of Portland at large.

THURSDAY, FEB. 15 MUSIC PARKWAY NORTH LIVE @ LUNCH: WMD FREE, ALL AGES 12 P.M. This week’s mellow vibes continue with WMD. While the music averages somewhere around chillout, some of their music gets into party mode. PSU will have to wait and see which branch off the ambient-electronic atmospheric nostalgia-tree they choose. ART ART BUILDING 60 2ND BFA VS MFA OPEN FLOOR STUDIOS FREE, ALL AGES 4 P.M. The BFA and MFA programs are opening their doors for the public to come roam and check out what these art-focused students have been up to. Why not make it a competition? It worked for Basquiat and Warhol; why wouldn’t it work for undergrads and grads?! COMEDY LAUGH IT OFF: SUMMER SMSU BALLROOMS 355 AZIM & DJ SOLO FREE, ALL AGES 6 P.M Eat some food, listen to tunes and, of course, laugh. A vibrant evening with the Pan-African Commons and Black Cultural Affairs Board.

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CULTURE SMSU 329 LUNAR NEW YEAR 2018 FREE W/ PSU ID $5 5 P.M. GEN., ALL AGES Join the Hong Kong Student Association for their fifth annual cultural show, themed as a night market with food, activities and performances. Portland Chinese Yo-Yo Team, free food and comedian Jenny Yang? Intriguing. CULTURE NEPALESE CULTURE SMSU 101 FESTIVAL FREE, ALL AGES 5 P.M. This event also has food, music, dance and arts and crafts. However, this event includes a slideshow. Come enjoy some Nepalese culture.

SAT, FEB. 17 CONFERENCE NATIVE AMERICAN PISA CONFERENCE STUDENT AND 2018: DAY 2 COMMUNITY CENTER 8 A.M. (MULTI-DAY FREE, ALL AGES EVENT FEB. 16–17) The Pacific Islander Student Alliance Conference day two is packed with workshops and talanoa sessions. Talanoa speakers include slam poet and educator William Nu’utupu Giles and 350 Pacific Regional Coordinator Fenton Lutunatabua. Students only, pre-registration required.

MON, FEB. 19 SCHOLARSHIPS KARL MILLER CENTER GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP 610C 1 P.M. FREE, ALL AGES If you’re getting Pell Grant funding, you might be eligible to get some money to take the financial edge off of studying abroad. Move your feets to KMC for the deets.

JAKE JOHNSON

OFF CAMPUS FEATURED EVENT:

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14

THURSDAY, FEB. 15

SAT, FEB. 17

FILM THURSDAY, FEB. 15 ALL OVER BLACK PANTHER (2018) $9ISH, ALL AGES MANY SHOWTIMES The Marvel superhero movie based on the comic book series of the same name. The comic is written by heavyweight writers Roxane Gay, Ta-Nehisi Coates and Yona Harvey. This Black History month celebrate Blackness with a highly anticipated film featuring a largely Black cast about a the Black Superhero who protects his kingdom of Wakanda and the world from an old enemy.

HOLIDAY ALL OVER THE PLACE VALENTINE’S DAY FREE, ALL AGES ALL DAY! The perfect occasion to spend tons of money on societally approved romantic gestures: pink things, candy and any number of other capitalistic wonders such as the $100 dinner. Picnics are just as romantic, and you don’t typically have to make a reservation. Better yet, screw love and society and make it a Blockbuster night for one with Netflix and your favorite takeout because sometimes you’ve gotta love and treat yourself.

SALE! WALGREENS, VALENTINE’S FREDDIE’S ETC. BLOWOUTS 2018 5 CENTS AND UP, ALL 6 A.M. AGES Valentine’s Day is overrated, but some of the treats are legit. Ferrero Rocher at steep discounts because it’s in a heart-shaped box? Why not! A few years back, I got boxes of Altoids for 10 cents a piece because they said “Let’s get fresh” on them—apparently you can’t get fresh the other 364 days of the year, but I strongly disagreed and still have like 15 boxes.

GOOD DEEDS HUGHES MEMORIAL COMMUNITY SERVICE UNITED METHODIST AND FEED IN CHURCH 10 A.M. FREE, ALL AGES Don’t Shoot Portland and other organizations join together on the third Saturday of every month to prepare and distribute warm meals to our houseless neighbors. Donate clothes and hospitality kits or help with food prep.

TUESDAY, FEB. 13

MUSIC WONDER BALLROOM ADAN JODOROWSKY $15–20, ALL AGES AND Y LA BAMBA 7:30 P.M. Getting to know what kind of child surreal filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky would raise is reason enough to go. Y La Bamba’s “Señor Santa” is one of the best things to happen to holiday music, ever.

MUSIC WONDER BALLROOM LP $22, 21+ 7 P.M. A singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, LP’s influence is far-reaching in the music industry. Fingers crossed she has a section of just whistling, because holy Christ that is one of the most hauntingly beautiful sounds I have ever heard in my life.

HOLIDAY ALADDIN THEATER A DATE WITH JOHN $37–115, ALL AGES WATERS 8 P.M. Perhaps you’re looking to spend this Valentine’s Day with the “Pope of Trash.” An evolving monologue about Waters’ fascination with crime, exploitation films, sexual politics and a call to arms against the tyranny of good taste. BYO pencil moustache.

FRIDAY, FEB. 16

PARADE VICTORIA BAR MARDI GRAS PARADE FREE, ALL AGES 5:30 P.M. Beads! Mini-umbrellas! Costume Contest! The parade lines up at Victoria Bar and keeps growing as it strolls to a close at Cook and Mississippi. Drink specials, music and other sorts of shenanigans to close out Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday. MUSIC ARLENE SCHNITZER A JOHNNY MATHIS $60–200, ALL AGES VALENTINE 7:30 P.M. An evening of romantic crooning from a loungey legend backed by the Oregon Symphony Orchestra. You don’t have to be a grandparent to enjoy the nostalgic sounds of Mathis.

COMEDY BILLY WEBB ELKS MINORITY RETORT LODGE 6 P.M. FREE, 21+ Part of the annual NW Black Comedy Festival. Minority Retort is a regular staple of the Portland comedy scene committed to providing a platform for comedians of color. This event features Ray Easter, Tab Lloyd, Curtis Taylor III, Abraham Tadesse, Shrista Tyree, Ken Hamlett and Quincy Johnson II. ART BLANC SPACE CAKE: A BUTT-CENTRIC $12.24, 21+ ART SHOW 6 P.M. Everybody likes butts. There will be butts, but will there be cake? There will indeed, but you’ll need to buy your own drinks. But what’s the parking like? Terrible, so they recommend putting your butt in a Lyft to come to have chill vibes and look at butts They don’t specify, but if this is cigarette butt art, I will be disappointed. SPORT THE HANGAR AT OAKS ROSE CITY ROLLERS: PARK HIGH ROLLERS VS $15–26, 21+ GUNS N ROLLERS 8 P.M. I don’t understand how this game works, but they skate around and push each other. They also have badass nicknames. If one of the Guns N Rollers is wearing a large top hat and busts out a crazy guitar solo, you can say I called it.

FESTIVAL KAUL AUDITORIUM AT BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL REED COLLEGE 3:30 P.M. FREE, ALL AGES NXT LVL PDX has curated a POC marketplace and there will be musical performances including headliner The Last Artful Dodgr, plus Maarquii and Brown Calculus. MUSIC ROSELAND THEATER LETTUCE $25, 21+ 9:15 P.M. Lettuce notoriously got their name from showing up at clubs and asking for bands and clubs to “let us” play. At least that’s the rumor. These neo-funk wizards from the East Coast have chops and don’t hold back. Their bass player’s nickname is Jesus, and I’m pretty sure he smokes a shitload of the devil’s lettuce.

SUN, FEB. 18 THEATER OLDE WORLD PUPPET WITCH KEY THEATRE 2 P.M. $8, ALL AGES This looks extremely creepy, but at least it’s not 21+. I mean it’s probably fine; it’s just a puppet show right? How often do puppets get possessed? It would be way too cliche for a puppet performance titled Witch Key to actually encounter demonic activity capable of ending our lives right? MUSIC 8 P.M. BLACK REBEL ROSELAND THEATER MOTORCYCLE CLUB $26, ALL AGES I don’t know if they actually ride motorcycles, but they definitely like wearing black leather jackets, so at least they’re on their way.

MON, FEB. 19 LECTURE ROSELAND THEATER NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC $26, ALL AGES LIVE: BETWEEN RIVER AND RIM 8 P.M. National Geographic writer Kevin Fedarko and photographer and filmmaker Pete McBride discuss hiking the Grand Canyon and what draws them to this adventure.

JENNY VU

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 13, 2018 • psuvanguard.com

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