The Statesman Volume 57 Issue 17

The Statesman informing stony brook university for more than 50 years

Volume LVII, Issue 17

Monday, February 10, 2014

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NEWS

Under the microscope: double the pleasure, double the fun

By Mallory Locklear and Ruchi Shah Staff Writers

Recently, a man going by the nickname “Diphallic Dude” took part in a Reddit "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) session that centered around his rare condition—diphallia, a medical condition wherein a male is born with two penises.

One in 5.5 million people are affected, and only around 100 cases have been reported since the first known occurrence in the year 1609.

The condition includes a range of effects, from duplication of the glans, or “head” of the penis, alone to complete penile duplication.

When complete diphallia occurs, the function of each penis can also vary greatly. In some cases, one penis is significantly underdeveloped compared to the second and in other cases, both penises are fully functional.

Diphallic Dude is in the latter group, with two fully functional penises. As reported in his Reddit AMA, he can urinate and ejaculate from both.

Even more interestingly, as stated on his tumblr page, once he ejaculates with one penis, he can immediately move on to the other and is able to “go a few hours, having orgasms roughly every five to 10 minutes.”

As far as complications go, Diphallic Dude has had few. When he was in his teens, he had a minor urethral issue. Since he has two fully developed penises, his urethra, or the tube that transports both semen and urine out of the penis, splits internally, creating a “Y” shape.

A problem developed where the urethral fork began ballooning during urination until enough pressure built up for urine to travel through the urethra and out of the penis.

Minor surgery was done to stretch

the urethra and correct the problem.

Recently, Diphallic Dude stated on tumblr that this issue has reoccurred

it may not be completely compatible with life.”

Whereas this effect is

NINA LIN / THE STATESMAN

Each case of diphallia is different, and because it is such a rare condition, little is known about its cause. and a similar procedure will need to be done in the near future.

Because it is such a rare condition, little is known about the cause of diphallia or even its development.

Savannah Irving, a medical student at the University of Dundee questioned, “If it’s linked with other anomalies in fetal formation it seems

unconfirmed as of now, many cases of diphallia do coincide with other medical complications.

In those with complete diphallia, or full penile duplication, infant death rates tend to be higher. This is often due to infections in their more complex kidney and/or colon and rectal systems.

Diphallia also coincides with spina bifida, a severe developmental disorder wherein portions of the spinal cord are underdeveloped and the vertebrae do not close as they should.

Scientists think diphallia may occur when some sort of external stress hampers the developmental stage where fetal tissue separates into what will separately become the penis and rectum. Further, because each case of diphallia is different, treatments must be tailored to each individual patient.

Diphallic Dude has embraced both members and has only needed minor treatments, though others are not so lucky.

Similarly, duplication of female reproductive and urinary systems has also been observed. This duplication, referred to medically as uterus didelphys, has varying levels of severity. Some women have two vaginas, while others have two vaginas, cervixes and uteruses.

According to the World Health Organization, about one in 3,000 women have duplicated reproductive systems, equating to a larger percentage of the population than previously thought.

The prevalence may be even higher because both sets function normally and thus the duplication often goes unnoticed. Dr. Vincenzo Berghella, director of maternal fetal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, said to ABC News, “It’s not that crazy at all, even though it sounds like a sci-fi thing. We see many couples, maybe once a month or more."

Recently, there has been heightened publicity about uterus didelphys after features on ABC News, ITV’s “This Morning” and TLC’s “Strange Sex.” In 2012, Hazel Jones, a 27-year old woman with a fully duplicated reproductive system, openly discussed her medical

condition. On “This Morning,” she shed light on living life with double the equipment and even quipped that is it, “an ice-breaker at parties.”

Jones was diagnosed at the age of 18 after visiting a doctor for extremely painful menstrual cramps. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common symptoms include, “unusual pressure or cramping pain before or during a menstrual period and abnormal bleeding during a period, such as blood flow despite the use of a tampon.”

However, since these symptoms are difficult to distinguish from those that normally accompany many women’s menstrual cycles, uterus didelphys is confirmed using diagnostic imaging tests like an ultrasound.

This duplicated reproductive system arises from an error during development. In a developing embryo, the uterus, cervix and vagina normally start out as two tubes that fuse as the fetus develops.

However, in those with uterus didelphys, the tubes did not fuse correctly, leaving duplicated structures. While doctors are uncertain of the cause behind this malfunction, most women have full function of both structures. As a result, there have been women who carry one child in each of their uteruses. A woman named AMS further told ABC News that she, “lost [her] virginity twice.”

While this duplication is not lifethreatening, the presence of two uteruses in the space of one can lead to complications for conception, childbearing and birth.

Common treatment options include birth control pills, fertility treatments and, if needed, surgery to unite the two uteruses. Most women, however, live normally and enjoy the function of both of their reproductive sites.

Reports show increase in sexual assault on Stony Brook campus

By Ashleigh Sherow Staff Writer

While Suffolk County and New York State as a whole saw drops in reported rape in 2012, Stony Brook saw a rise in reported sexual assault. According to a report released by police, in 2012, there were 17 forcible sexual offenses in 2012—five more than in 2011 and 10 more than in 2010. There were no reported non-forcible sexual offenses.

New York State reported 304 cases of rape in 2012, down from 322 in 2010 and drastically lower than the 407 in 2003. Suffolk County’s rape statistics saw a similar trend as the rest of New York State with 41 reported rapes in 2012, 55 in 2010 and 112 in 2003.

Stony Brook’s jump in stats is much more drastic than the increase seen at SUNY Albany which reported 10 forcible sexual offenses in 2012, seven in 2011 and eight in 2010.

Patrick Kim, a junior majoring in biology, calls the increase in sexual assault alarming because it is a serious issue but not surprising.

“Actually, I have witnessed sexual assault,” he said. Kim described a party scene that was not violent but there “was no consent per se say.” The incident, like many, went unreported. “People don’t take it seriously a lot of the time,” he said.

Rape, which has a reputation of being violent or involving drugs and people unknown to the victim, can come in all forms. At its most basic, rape is nonconsensual sex.

It can happen between two people who know each other. Actually, according to a 2004 Bureau of Justice crime report, 54 percent of the time, the victim knows the rapist.

Diana Tavares, a senior majoring in psychology, did not feel that 17 was that large of a number for a school with over 16,000 students.

The number seems even smaller when statistics show that one in five college women are sexual assault victims. Still, she said she would not hesitate to call police if anything did happen. “I feel some people would probably not, like if it was someone they knew or they felt threatened by the person,” she said.

Statistics from the same Bureau

NINA LIN/ THE STATESMAN

Rape has a reputation of being violent or involving drugs, but at its core, rape is nonconsensual sex that can happen between two people who know each other. of Justice report show that about half the time rape is not reported and sexual assault is not reported about 50 percent of the time.

The Center for Prevention and

Outreach at Stony Brook pointed out that transgender females are the largest group of victims of sexual assault. However, it is often unreported because of concerns

regarding how welcoming the facility would be. The Center for Prevention and Outreach, which is there to help, can be found in the Student Union in room 216.

News

The Statesman

Monday, February 10, 2014

3

Mallory Rothstein and Sheree Haggon: a modern-day relationship

By Sarah Kirkup Staff Writer

While couples seem to be getting more diverse in the United States, interracial, samesex and long distance couple Mallory Rothstein and Sheree Haggon have had more than a few fair share of differences in their relationship.

Rothstein, a junior at Stony Brook, met her girlfriend, a Utah University senior, at a Worlds Youth Leadership Retreat at New York University during the summer of 2013.

Rothstein and Haggon’s relationship started quickly.

“I knew that I one hundred percent wanted to be with Sheree,” Rothstein said.

The couple has much in common, with spontaneity being one of the building blocks of their relationship.

After only knowing each other for one week, they were separated when the retreat ended, Sheree went back to her school in Utah and Mallory decided she wanted to visit her.

“I decided I needed to plan a trip very soon to visit her in order to make sure we would end up officially together,” Rothstein said.

Rothstein and Haggon have bonded over helping non-profit organizations and participating in their schools government. They also hike and go to the beach together in the summer.

Although the Rothstein and Haggon are happy together, some people do not approve of their relationship.

Haggon explained that Utah is less accepting and the state “has a long ways to go before interracial or homosexual couples will feel

safe and supported.”

When Haggon visited Rothstein at Stony Brook, she was surprised that everyone was so accepting.

“I felt free to be me, without fear of judgment,” Haggon said.

Haggon comes from an African American and Hispanic background. She felt comfortable telling her family about her relationship.

“My family is very comfortable with me dating outside of my race,” Haggon said.

Rothstein's family however, had more trouble adjusting to their daughter’s same-sex interracial relationship.

“It was really only difficult telling my parents because I think they, despite them never really saying it, imagined me dating a white male,” Rothstein said. “To also find out she was African American and Hispanic probably just shocked them even more.”

Being an interracial, same-sex and long distance couple also comes with some responsibilities, according to the couple, including being a role model.

“I personally think it’s really important for us as a couple to show people that a samesex, interracial, and long distance relationship can work,” Rothstein said.

Rothstein and Haggon also have a difference in religion.

Rothstein is half Jewish while Haggon is Christian.

With a Christian background, Haggon’s family was surprised to discover the girl she was dating is half-Jewish.

“When they found out I was going to celebrate Hanukkah with her family, they were conflicted.”

Haggon enjoys the differences in

NINA LIN/ THE STATESMAN

According to The New York Times, researchers say the face of the American family has changed rapidly in the last few years—faster than experts predicted in previous journals. religion. One reason is because the food.

“We get to experience different types of food like matzah ball soup," Haggon said.

This couple had to start the beginning of their relationship apart from each other­—Haggon is from Idaho and Rothstein is from New Jersey.

Beside the fact that they are miles away, they are also from two different parts of the country. The way the two speak and interact is even different from one another.

“I walk and talk very slow.

Mallory on the other hand does ever so quickly,” Haggon said.

The girls are both busy in their separate schools, by starting up clubs and by doing their own separate activities.

But even though they spend a lot of their time being involved, they both agree that communication is key for their relationship to be successful.

“We have to be excellent communicators and have an extremely strong level of trust,” Haggon explains.

But being long distance does not come with all downsides.

The couple likes to take this opportunity to plan lots of surprises for each other to make one another feel special.

“It does become kind of fun and nice to think of new ways to tell the other we love them,” Rothstein said.

Even though on Valentine's Day the couple plans to celebrate their day apart, they still know how to

express their love for one another.

“Since we will be apart for Valentine’s Day, I have a surprise planned,” Haggon declares and Rothstein also responded “It’s a surprise! I just hope her sister doesn’t ruin anything.”

PHOTO CREDIT: MALLORY ROTHSTEIN

The couple met last summer and their relationship took off from there.

Sex chain store teaches customers to embrace their naughty side

By Arielle Martinez Copy Editor

Anyone who has ever wondered about working at a sex store may want to draw on the experiences of Stony Brook University’s own Alaura Martucci.

Before transferring to Stony Brook

from LaGuardia Community College, Martucci, a senior multidisciplinary studies major with concentrations in women and gender studies and psychology, worked as a sex educator and sales associate for the New York City sex chain-store Babeland.

Martucci started working at

Babeland in March 2011 while enrolled in the American Sign Language-English Interpretation Program at LaGuardia.

“I was really in love with the store,” Martucci said. “It wasn’t dingy like other sex stores. It was bright and colorful and pink and yellow. They were very friendly and inviting to

NINA LIN / THE STATESMAN

Babeland offers customers such sex-enhancement toys as dildos, lubricants and handcuffs.

queer and LGBT people. So I was really impressed with the store and its values. And I felt that this was something I was good at. I was good at talking about sex.”

Babeland was founded in 1993 in Seattle, Wash., by Claire Cavanah and Rachel Venning. The company has since opened three New York City locations in Brooklyn, SoHo and the Lower East Side. Cavanah and Venning are also the co-authors of “Moregasm: Babeland's Guide to Mind-Blowing Sex” and “Sex Toys 101: A Playfully Uninhibited Guide.”

The Babeland stores offer a myriad of adult films, condoms, dildos, lubricants, strap-ons and vibrators for sale.

According to Martucci and Cavanah, one of the most popular products is the rabbit vibrator that became famous after being featured in “Sex and the City.”

As for the type of clientele that Babeland attracts, Cavanah told The Statesman: “About 60 percent of Babeland’s customers are women and 40 percent are men. The majority of customers are looking for something to use with a partner…We talk to people of all genders and sexual orientations every day.”

Babeland’s sex educators teach in-store workshops on topics such as cunnilingus, fellatio, g-spots and

sex toys.

The workshops are also occasionally taught by special guests like Tristan Taormino, an adult film director and author and Midori, an adult film actress and singer.

The sex educators also answer any questions that customers have about both products in the store and sexual experiences.

“A lot of people would have questions on a specific toy—what they were used for, how they could be used of their bodies. And a lot of people would ask what is OK, what is normal or loud, and so we would reassure people,” Martucci said.

Cavanah also spoke about the job of a sex educator, saying “they get extensive training on sexuality and it’s our goal that they’ll be able to answer any question a customer might have.”

Martucci stopped working at Babeland in October 2011 after moving from Brooklyn to Ronkonkoma and she now works in Stony Brook’s Office of Student Affairs.

Martucci said: “I think the work of sex ed can be applicable to a lot of different things, and I’ve drawn on that experience while working … like educating people in general, being a better listener, being less judgmental about things.

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Monday, February 10, 2014

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Nontraditional students balance family and education Staff Writer

There are over 1,400 undergraduate students at Stony Brook who are over 25 years of age. They each share a number of life circumstances, including students who are also balancing parenthood.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment for students aged 25 and older has consistently increased from 2000 to 2011.

Commuter Student Services senior advisor and faculty advisor for The Non-Traditional Student/ Adult Learners Association Emily Resnick recognizes that the nontraditional student experience is demanding, particularly that of an undergraduate student who is also a parent.

“Certainly it comes with its challenges, but I think it’s also an opportunity to support and inspire their children,” Resnick explained. Students she has spoken to find it an “enriching experience” that many of them share alongside side their children who are in school, whether they are in grade school or college.

Diane DeSimone, 47, is a history major and Judaic studies minor, president of The NonTraditional Student/Adult Learners Association, an Academic Peer Advisor, Executive Board Events Coordinator of Phi Alpha Theta,

on the advisory Committee of the Stony Brook food pantry and a mother of two.

DeSimone explained how she balances being of mother of two children, ages 10 and 15, while going to school and working parttime. She wrote via e-mail, “My kids are very supportive of me as long as they get their share of my attention! They tell me they are very proud of me and want to know about what I study.” She tries to set aside time to spend with each of her children individually.

She described how her husband of almost 25 years is encouraging and helpful. Despite his full-time position as a US Letter Carrier, he does helpful things, such doing all the food shopping.

DeSiomne “greatly admires” non-traditional students who are single parents. She wrote, “The other non-trad students have made me appreciate my own circumstances. When I think to complain I realize how much tougher it would be without my husbands support.”

DeSimone sets time for her family, as they are her priority.

She admitted that it does not happen without many late nights spent completing papers or homework assignments.

Resnick discussed how having support is key for students such as DeSimone. She said, “…a lot of the students that I’ve talked to that

are parents have really developed strong support networks around them…family and friends who are rooting for them, willing to help them along the way if need be.”

Gregory Catzelis, 48, a mathematics major who hopes to teach, does not have children.

However, he is the primary care giver to his parents.

He explained, “Tending to aging parents…those are my kids so to speak…” This includes caring for his father who has dementia, which is “very demanding.”

To balance his life in his second semester, but his first as a full-time student, Catzelis had to change his whole career in order to accommodate school and his other responsibilities, along with an hour and fifteen minute commute from Queens.

Catzelis is finding this semester easier to manage after receiving guidance last semester from DeSimone in academic advising and meeting other students through the Non-Traditional Student/Adult Learner’s Association, of which he is the treasurer.

Without his former “crazy hours” at work, he now has time to tutor high school students in math and is looking to participate in other clubs on campus.

Catzelis appreciates that he is meeting individuals from different backgrounds at Stony Brook, whether they are international

students or classmates and instructors who help him “tune in to things you might not focus on.”

Catzelis enjoys being in classes

with students of varying ages. He describes his teachers as “brilliant, young, passionate people.”

“It’s very contagious,” he said.

NINA LIN / THE STATESMAN

By Kelly Zegers

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Stony Brook students save dollars on low cost sex toys

By Francesca Campione Contributing Writer

This Valentine’s Day, whether you are spending it alone or in the company of a significant other, rest assured that there will be a source of pleasure for everyone. Sex toys can be a way to keep things interesting during the semester, and now, with the unavoidable prospect of tests lurking in the near future, who couldn’t use something to spice up their free time during campus lifetime or a funny story tell your friends over some bubble tea at Jasmine? Whatever the situation, a solid base of knowledge is a smart place to start; when it comes to sex toys, questions of price, type and public opinion come to mind.

A classic model explored by the women of “Sex and the City” is the Rabbit. When asked about vibrators like the Rabbit, a junior at Stony Brook claimed to not have much knowledge on the topic other than “Clean them, that makes sense because genitals.”

You don’t need to be Carrie Bradshaw to appreciate their many functions, which include a rotating head, various vibrating functions and its namesake “rabbit ears” that stimulate the clitoris for increased pleasure.

Not only are they great at serving their purpose: they come in an array of cute colors, from pinks and purples to multicolored and a variety of materials ranging from rubber and silicon to ceramic.

Since the Rabbit has been around so long its been replicated and perfected for a low price. Online it can be purchased for as cheap as $14.99 and models with more sophisticated features increase in price from there.

Another popular option is the well know Fleshlight, and yes, it is a pun on the word flashlight.

The Fleshlight is a replica of

.

either a pair of lips, a vagina or the ever-popular backdoor and is made of patented SuperSkin which is, apparently, as close to the real thing you can get and does not stretch out over time. As if that was not wonderful enough, it can be discreetly hidden and stored to appear as an ordinary flashlight one would use in emergency situations. They come in a variety of models, ranging from the classic collection to stamina trainers to different girls that serve as the inspiration for the product, really taking into account everyone’s interests. The basic model price starts at $48.71 and can reach up to $79.95 depending on the intricacies of the Fleshlights inner texture. If that’s not within your college student budget, imitations of the Fleshlight can be purchased for $7 through a simple Google search, but is it worth sacrificing the SuperSkin technology? I do not know, but it is good to know what is out there. For those who are not so sure if they would feel

comfortable using one, Dylan Weinstein a freshman, said, “It's the same thing as a dildo, really and should be treated like that, and guys shouldn't be ashamed if they do use one.” I say its time to start exploring this new fad.

For those who are less adventurous, there are always safer options that can be used to introduce a little fun into your intimate life. If you want to take steps towards bondage, a good place to start would be handcuffs.

A set of fuzzy or metal handcuffs can be purchased at Spencer’s for under $15.00 each. Another option to help go the extra mile with blowjobs is the Comfortably Numb Deep Throat Spray; with two pumps of this minty spray, your throat and mouth will go slightly numb allowing you to go deeper. Online it can be purchased for $7.95 and also comes in the form of a gel or breath mint, but reviews claim the spray works best.

College is said to be a time of exploration of life and

NINA LIN / THE STATESMAN

Besides toys, costumes are a way to spice up your love life.

preferences, so why not start with one of these sex toys? Whether solo or with a partner it is

bound to be worth the experience, especially at a minimal cost.

NINA LIN/ THE STATESMAN

Some students make flogs of duct tape to reduce prices.

THREE ARTSY EVENTS 1) Valentine’s Day Auction

The Caribbean Students Organization will be throwing their annual Valentine’s Day Auction on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 8:30 p.m. in SAC 306. The proceeds will go Miss CSO’s country of choice.

2) Hearts and Crafts

The Hamilton RA staff will be hosting "Hearts and Crafts," on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 8:30 p.m. in the Hamilton classroom.

Participants will make Valentine's Day cards and learn to say "I love you" in different languages.

3) Nerdfest

Nerds and their buddies will unite for Valentines Day at Nerdfest this Friday at 6 p.m. in SAC Ballroom A. "A Companion Cube would never cheat on you," said the collaboration of gaming and leisure clubs.

6

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The Statesman

Arts & Entertainment

Monday, February 10, 2014

7

No right answer: the sticky side of pornographic art

By Brandon Benarba and Jon Winkler

Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor and Staff Writer

There is no concrete definition of art. The concept of what art is is so vague and ever changing that everyone has his or her own beliefs of what is and is not art.

For some, entertainment pieces such as television and movies are not considered art, but for others, it is the definition of art.

Probably the most debated art argument is over whether or not pornography can be considered art. To help simplify the debate, we will both be going by the standard dictionary definition of art, which is “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing or of more than ordinary significance.”

Brandon Benarba: Porn is art.

Jon Winkler: Porn is not art.

BB: Pornography, and to a lesser degree sex, have become an unspoken taboo within society.

It is something that we all know exists and we are aware of the benefits that can come from pornography, but why do so many people shy away from it?

Art is a method through which humans express themselves, and pornography and sex are some of the most basic ways of expressing a multitude of emotions. When it comes down to porn, we have different categories and genres to satiate a variety of people’s sexual desires. Naturally, the quality of the product is going to vary, but

we cannot compare Picasso to a third grader’s drawings, can we?

JW: What exactly is art used for? It is meant as an expression of one’s feelings, views, or ideas into physical forms of display for others to see. If that is the case, what in the world is porn meant to express? Is it meant to show off the sexual fantasies that we as human beings have on a daily basis, or just something teenage boys snicker about and older men use to deal with the single life?

Most porn is not art at all because it is not meant to express any message or opinion. Instead, it is poorly shot melodrama with awful writing, bad actors who can’t read beyond a fifth grade level and it showcases unrealistic situations.

Porn is more like the most private form of fantasy, more shameless escape than creative expression.

BB: You bring up the words “private” and “fantasy” during your argument, which really makes me happy. The thing about art is that the expression the artist is trying to achieve is usually private to them. We can never really understand what they are trying to tell, but rather take our own interpretation from it. I agree with you in terms of quality, but to say that it ends up being a form of fantasy is audacious.

All forms of art become some form of fantasy. Most accepted forms of art and entertainment usually become a form of power fantasy for the viewer. So why is it considered so tasteless for people to indulge in sexual fantasies?

NINA LIN / THE STATESMAN

Porn allows people to lose themselves to their own fantasies, even the unrealistic ones.

If everyone can get their own interpretation out of a piece of art, is what they are viewing a problem? Art being fantasy is a great thing, as it can distract us from our real world problems and allow us to lose ourselves in something. Let’s be honest here, a lot of people can lose themselves in porn, and I do not think that is a bad thing.

JW: People losing themselves in porn is their business (and something not really appropriate for print, so we will skip that), but porn also seems to have no effort put into it. Where does the

inspiration come from, because it seems almost too simple to be considered art? If pornography can be considered art, then it has to be cared for like an art form.

There has to be more effort put into porn in order to be taken seriously. It’s hard to take a piece of cinema seriously when the opening scene is a guy named Brock Harder is walking into a room with his shirt off and saying weak pick-up lines to a girl named Quendra. Porn needs to have a concept beyond “the money shot” if it wants to be worthwhile, otherwise it is just another shameful reason that people stay

single. If porn wants to be taken as seriously as most art forms, it needs to have something to say and not just something to watch.

Naturally, we cannot declare something as art or not, because the very nature of art is selfperception. Still, whether or not you believe that pornography is art or not does not matter. It is something that exists, and it should be something that people can openly talk about. Too often pornography is linked to the idea of self-pleasure, but maybe it is about time that people look at it in a different light.

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The new normal is no longer the sterotypical heteronormative relationship. It is becoming more common for same-sex relationships to appear in the media.

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The Statesman

Arts & Entertainment

Monday, February 10, 2014

Pop culture sells sex at the expense of women's image

By Dahlia Ibrahim Staff Writer

Sex sells.

Is that an obvious statement?

Yes. Is it a concept that has been so industrialized that society does not even realize that they’re consuming it on the daily? Yes. Let is elaborate.

Contemporary society’s relationship between sex and mainstream media is a paradox. At best. In a world where individuality is set on a high pedestal, there seems to be one running common theme in most movies, television shows and music lyrics and videos that we are exposed to today: the sexual exploitation of women.

Some people may disagree with that statement, and say it is driven by a recent wave of die-hard feminism and misandry. Some may agree with that statement, and say we live in a male-dominated world where women are sexualized as objects.

Others may remain neutral on the topic; either because they do not care, realize or think that showing a little skin in pop culture never hurt any one.

While it’s not hurting anyone per se, is it hurting our depiction of the role that women hold in our society and confusing self-empowerment with exploitation.

2013 was the year of the “twerk,” thanks to none other than the very—for lack of a better word— special, Miley Cyrus. (Tidbit fact: twerking actually started being recognized in the 1990s down south, while its roots originat in the Ivory Coast. So no, Hannah Montana’s

doppelganger did not give birth to the twerk.)

Cyrus did, however, revitalize the dance after she published what seemed to be a fun video of her twerking in a unicorn onesie.

That was, unfortunately, only the beginning of the twerk frenzy.

While all the rump-shaking became a mandatory part of every rap music video from there onward, Cyrus took the movement to a new league—literally. During her performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, the Nashville native came out singing her smash single “We Can’t Stop,” wearing what looked like the skinned exterior of the mouse from Chuck E. Cheese, to finally strip down to a flesh colored, rubber panty and shelf bra set. She should have stopped right there.

Cyrus twerked onstage into Robin Thicke’s crotch while rubbing a foam finger on her own.

She later went on to call this “selfempowerment.” In various articles and on-camera interviews about her newfound provocativeness, Cyrus continuously calls herself a “true feminist” because she believes that she is the epitome of a woman who is not afraid to publicly embrace her sexuality, despite what others have to say.

Now, you can Google the pop star’s name and every other day, new photos are released from one of her topless but “tasteful” photo-shoots.

Obviously, feminism has a new face.

Going back to Thicke, the R&B singer caused quite a sexual stir himself last year with his hit single, “Blurred Lines,” and in

a sort of disturbing way, started the conversation that should be had more often pertaining to pop culture.

In the explicit music video, three women bare it all—literally— wearing only nude colored G-strings, while prancing around Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I., as the men monotonously melodize to some pretty shocking lyrics: “I know you want it.” One woman in the video is walked like a dog on a leash as one of the men pulls her by her long braid: “But you’re an animal, let me liberate you.”

Thicke would later go on to explain that he has respected women his entire life and “saw no problem” with the over-sexualized and provocative nature of his video.

But what Paula Patton’s husband did not explain was why his lyrics were so erotic—almost violating to hear—and if the song would have sounded worse had the three women been clothed the entire time. At least it was catchy.

Rutgers University recently made headlines, publicizing that the institution is now offering a class about none other than Beyoncé.

The course is titled “Politicizing Beyoncé,” where students will examine American race, gender and sexuality through the singer’s music.

This might be a bold move on Rutgers’ part, but let’s face it—Beyoncé has a hold over the younger generations to the point where fans praise her as “Queen B,” and any album she belches out will instantaneously go platinum. And despite her recent costuming that has been more risqué than compared

to the past, she is considered a “real lady,” who younger women aspire to be like.

It is funny, in a way, how mainstream media is able to bifurcate class from trash, (like Beyoncé versus Miley Cyrus.)

Either way, pop culture today has desensitized the public’s ability to

distinguish what is normal to what should really be considered a little too mature for television. The fact that bikini-clad women are used to sell things like hamburgers and hair products should speak for itself; the relationship between sex and the media has gone too far now. Maybe it’s those damn blurred lines.

NINA LIN/ THE STATESMAN

Twerking was around long before Miley and the VMAs.

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Editorial: There is no such The Statesman thing as a normal relationship informing stony brook university for more than 50 years

Editor-in-Chief ............ Deanna Del Ciello Managing Editor ........... Emily Heller Managing Editor ............ Kevin Lizarazo Managing Editor ........... Christine Powell

News Editor .......................................................... ..Rebecca Anzel Sports Editor .............................................................. Mike Daniello Arts & Entertainment Editor ......................................Nicole Bansen Opinions Editor ...........................................................Keith Olsen Multimedia Editor ............................................................Nina Lin Copy Chief ................................................................ Maria Plotkina Assistant News Editor.................................................Giselle Barkley Assistant News Editor............................................. Hanaa' Tameez Assistant News Editor...................................................Will Welch Assistant Sports Editor ........................................... Catie Curatolo Assistant Sports Editor..................................................Joe Galotti Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor................... ...Chelsea Katz Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor.................Brandon Benarba Assistant Opinions Editor ..............................Anusha Mookherjee Assistant Opinions Editor .....................................Niveditha Obla Assistant Multimedia Editor...........................................Basil John Assistant Multimedia Editor...................................Heather Khalifa Assistant Multimedia Editor....................................Jesus Pichardo Assistant Copy Chief..............................................Briana Finneran Archivist ................................................................ Marley Solomon Business Manager ............................................ Frank D'Alessandro Advertisement Layout............................................Frank Migliorino

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Sex and Relationship Issue, Seawolves. For some of you, this may be the first time reading this special edition of The Statesman. For others, this issue may be a long-time favorite.

This year, we wanted to deliver something new. In past issues of the Sex and Relationship Issue, we’ve written the same stories again and again. We wrote about classes at SBU that focused on sex, who the hottest professors are and what movies turned us on.

We wanted to break out of that rut. So this year we’re focusing on the not-so-typical aspects of sex and relationships. We want to push the boundaries of what people perceive to be “normal” when it comes to this facet of their lives.

All of the people that you see featured in this issue are Stony Brook students. It is important to us that our models and photographs represent reality—real bodies, real beauty—instead of mimicking the stereotypes the media typically perpetuates.

Not everyone is six-feet tall. Not everyone is a size two.

Everyone has different ideas about what is normal or sexy. So instead of the stories you’re used to seeing in the Sex and Relationship Issue, this year we’re writing about nontraditional and interracial relationships, the stigma of STDs, fetishes, porn and more.

Through our annual survey, we collected data to find trends about sex and relationships on campus. Doing so gives us, and you, a better sense of changing trends in sexuality among people our age demographic. Thank you to everyone who participated by taking the survey. Every year, we get more results, which would not be possible without you guys spreading the word.

Flipping through these pages, you might find some stories that make you feel uncomfortable. Our goal isn’t to make you squirm and feel uneasy about the atypical side of sex and relationships. Our goal is to educate and hopefully broaden your idea of what “normal” is.

SincerelyThe Editorial Board

Copy Editors Andrea Baatz Karina Biacan Bridget Downes Nicole Kohn Arielle Martinez Rachel Siford Caroline Smith Iantha Stewart Jessica Tuite

Contact us: Phone: 631-632-6479 Fax: 631-632-9128 Email: editors@sbstatesman.com Web: www.sbstatesman.com The Statesman is a student-run, student-written incorporated publication at Stony Brook University in New York. The paper was founded as The Sucolian in 1957 at Oyster Bay, the original site of Stony Brook University. In 1975, The Statesman was incorporated as a not-for-profit, student-run organization. Its editorial board, writers and photography staff are all student volunteers.

New stories are published online every day Monday through Friday. A print issue is published every Monday during the academic year and is distributed to many on-campus locations, the Stony Brook University Hospital and over 70 off-campus locations.

The Statesman and its editors have won several awards for student journalism, and several past editors have gone on to enjoy distinguished careers in the field of journalism.

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The Statesman promptly corrects all errors of substance published in the paper. If you have a question or comment about the accuracy or fairness of an article please send an email to editors@sbstatesman.com.

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14

Monday, February 10, 2014

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The Statesman

The culture of slut-shaming

Opinions

Assistant Opinions Editor

NINA LIN / THE STATESMAN

By Hillary Steinbeck Staff Writer

"Mean Girls," famously penned by possible goddess Tina Fey, features the word slut numerous times. Its uses range from what girls are allowed to be on Halloween to the ultimate insult Regina uses on herself to incriminate her friends.

Slut is a fixture in our lexicon, a label we use to be degrading, and honestly, I don’t like it. I’m against slut-shaming for many reasons, and if most people thought about it, they would not be so into it either.

Slut shaming is an act that is intended to make a target feel ashamed or guilty about deviating from seemingly established sexual norms. Those at the receiving end are largely female, though slutshaming is rampant in the LGBT community and it is rarely used as a tactic for discrediting men. We are all well aware of the double

If a person enjoys their orgasm, why are we shaming them? standard of promiscuity and sexuality being celebrated in men and not women. However, I am adamant that slut-shaming is not a male problem. I believe that once a person decides to label another person as a slut as a means of degradation, they are not blameless in perpetuating this negativity, regardless of gender. In fact, many feminiss argue a point that Fey’s character explains eloquently “you all have got to stop calling each other sluts and whores. It just makes it okay for guys to call you sluts and whores.” I think the problem is deeper than that, though I do agree that the sexualization of unwilling participants, whether it be a man or woman doing it, is a nasty thing our society allows to happen.

One of the primary issues with calling someone a slut is that there is nearly an endless list of transgressions that can cause a person to be stuck with the label.

Further, the need to demean a person for being sexual seems to mostly be borne of jealousy.

I’m going to outline some usual examples and explain why it’s not okay to call someone a slut based on them. It seems many women are defined as sluts because they want to have sex, and possibly even enjoy sexual acts (no way). Easily an example of this is distilled in Rush Limbaugh’s proclamation “women who want birth control are sluts.” I don’t understand the idea of wanting someone to be ashamed of wanting to be on the pill, particularly if they know they are going to have sex regularly and do not want to actually birth a child in the near future. I think sluttiness is tied to an idea of irresponsibility, but that’s confusing because a concerted effort to obtain a reliable form of birth control seems pretty damn responsible to me.

I also think it’s astounding that a person can be defined as a slut without a sexual act at all, and here I’m particularly talking about a way a woman dresses. First of all, I have seen women called sluts for having big boobs, which boggles my mind. Unless you have had elective surgery (which is their choice and still not your business), bust size has no correlation to the amount of sex you have had and is largely genetic. If a person wants to show off their body, that is their business. I’m not disregarding the fact that we live in a society that has encouraged women to find their value in their body and appearance.

That being said, I think a person has the right to dress however they want, and just because it deviates from a dress code appropriated by society does not mean they need to be degraded. In fact, I contend this encourages rape culture. Lipstick, eyeliner, a short skirt, or showing cleavage does not mean a women wants to be sexually active. I’m going to equate calling her a slut and associating her with wanton sexual acts to basically “here are our rules, and if you don’t follow them something bad will happen to you. If you are raped it’ll be your own fault.” I do not believe that. I think that rape is the fault of the rapist, and that blaming a victim for being engaged in a violent act they did not consent to is pretty barbaric.

Because you see, I don’t think there’s actually anything that could possibly qualify a person to judge whether or not another human being is a slut. Even if it is a label saved for deviance from what we deem acceptable, there is no codebook that outlines what is, especially in this modern age. Premarital sex is really commonplace

15

Female masturbation is not a myth

By Niveditha Obla

Promiscuity becomes a defining feature of some women.

Monday, February 10, 2014

When you sit in history class and study the past, it is easily understood that people’s mindsets have progressed. We are more open to cultural differences, other races and are becoming (slowly) adapted to different sexualities as a whole.

But all of this gets thrown right out the window when it comes to masturbation. We do not learn about it in health class among the puberty PowerPoints, and it is not like our parents really mentioned this in "the birds and the bees” talk (and we’re all the happier for that).

You had to figure it out as you went along. If you are a girl, this process is three times harder. Masturbation for guys has sort of a wink-wink “I got you”- esque approval. Women, on the other hand, are subject to dirty looks and flat out denials of engaging in such behavior from their friends. Masturbation among women is almost a deviant topic– something that is kept hush-hush and not spoken of.

And in an age where self-esteem seems to be at a loss for most women, it is a terrible shame that we are not embracing the most basic form of self-love. How many articles and posts have been written about embracing yourself, loving who you are and celebrating every aspect of your being? We are as consistently exposed to many tips on loving yourself as we are to “getting the guy.” This is where the fault lies. The common stereotype follows that women who masturbate–especially those who masturbate often–are lacking in some way. We are missing out on a man and his goods, and it is our process of self-satisfaction that is driving any potential suitors away.

I suppose this extends from the idea that masturbation and sex are ideas that are separate but equal. You have one in place of the other-too much sex means just a little masturbation, and vice-versa.

Masturbation is the pre-game, the minor leagues, if you will, before you enter into the bigger game and start hitting home runs. But in reality, aren’t the two inextricably now, and casual sex increasingly so. And guess what, if guys want to have casual sex, that means they have to engage in it with women who are having casual sex with them. You have no idea why a person wants to have sex with who they want to, at what age and why.

You don’t know anything about their sexual history. If a person enjoys having sex with one person monogamously, that is cool, but if they want to have sex with many people and no one is getting hurt in the process, that is also cool. If they enjoy bondage or have a vibrator, whatever, that is their deal and it does not affect you. If a person enjoys their orgasm, why are we shaming them? That is awesome for them. Why have we made it dirty and shameful? I honestly do not understand why a person would care enough about another person’s very personal sexual tendencies.

So you know why it is not cool to call someone a slut? Because their sex life is none of your goddamn business in the first place.

linked? Masturbation and sex should complement each other, and add to the sexual experience.

Masturbation really is the basis for sexual positivity. This is how you get comfortable with yourself sexually, because only you can set your own boundaries and understand where your comfort level lies. How can you communicate what you want from someone else if you don’t know

The truth is simple here–there’s nothing wrong with a little selfpleasure. It is something that everyone (okay, most) people do, and it’s the same as any other bodily function. We’re taking care of ourselves, and giving back attention to the person who needs it the most. This is self-love and selfawareness at a very basic, physical level. It’s not something that needs

NINA LIN/ THE STATESMAN

Society still does not approve of female masturbation. yourself what that is? Isn’t it nice to know that you can make yourself feel amazing without someone else and then recreate that same feeling with someone that you trust? Let’s face it–if women were not shamed into avoiding sexual experiences or touching themselves, we would not have to fake all those orgasms we know we could get by ourselves.

to be put down and shamed, but a topic that should be approached with kindness and an open mind.

We are human–we are curious and a little adventurous and there is not a single person who should feel guilty about it. And if you can’t seem to acknowledge my point, I believe it would behoove you to indulge a little.

By Tejen Shah

usually a blessing, but if they are not treated with the right kind of attitude, the couple can struggle.

A productive relationship is one that enhances each and every part of your life. In college, whether some people believe it or not, the most important job you have is being a student. Thus, when starting a relationship in school, you need to make sure you are not harming your academic standing. A common problem that I have seen arise among couples in school is having to deal with spending quality time together versus studying. It has come to my attention that many couples in college find time to study together. While this is a great strategy for combining a “hangout” with studying, since couples usually get

The college relationship Staff Writer

College is regarded by many to be the greatest time in our lives: the first portion of our lives in which we have independence, freedom and privileges that we have never before enjoyed. As much as college is a mission to obtain a degree, it is an opportunity for us to find ourselves. We explore our strengths and weaknesses as students and people and learn what we are passionate about. Some of us pursue these passions and some of us, sadly, pursue money. Nonetheless, what we often fail to take note of is that although in college we try to find ourselves, if we are lucky—or unlucky, depending upon how you see it—along the way may find someone else. A significant other that makes our lives better, a special best friend. These relationships are

Continued on page 16

16

Opinions

Monday, February 10, 2014

Maintaining a college relationship Continued from page 15 along very well, they set themselves up for distraction.

You may say that your girlfriend/ boyfriend and you do not get sidetracked while doing anything academic together and that is great.

This is simply my word of warning because I have had this happen to me.

An overlooked aspect of being in a relationship is the fact that now, not only are you accountable for your own feelings and desires, but you are now intertwined in a system of emotions that involves both yourself and your partner.

Think about it, when you are in a relationship, you need to be cognitive of the other person’s mood. When they are feeling happy, sad, angry, worried, etc. it will affect your own mood whether you like it or not. When they are in distress,

they will turn to you. When they are conflicted, they will turn to you.

It does not take much to realize that this could affect your academic life.

Getting into a relationship in college is all about maturity. It is a test of how well you have grown as a person and as a student. Some people, who are motivated and hard working, get into relationships and see no effect on their grades. Others, however, can see an immense drop.

You have to realize that it is all about being prepared. You need to know what being in a relationship entails. It is not all fun and games.

It is more of a responsibility than many anticipate and if not properly prepared, the relationship and the people involved can be permanently scarred. So have your fun, but be careful with relationships in college.

They can sometimes (and I mean sometimes) do more harm than good.

NINA LIN / THE STATESMAN

It is difficult to make time for relationships in college.

The Statesman

Does religion affect dating decisions?

By Emily Benson Staff Writer

When I was younger, my mother tried to set me up on a date. It was cringeworthy, to say the least. Please, take a moment to picture this: me being nagged everyday about if I talked to Christopher, how Chris was doing, her waving to him across the parking lot when she picked me up after class as I shoved my head under a rock somewhere.

What I find most interesting about the whole ordeal is that my mom did not base her desire for us to end up together off his personality. In fact she barely knew anything about him. Except that he was Catholic. And that’s all she needed to know. Perhaps, then, I am saying this because of how I was raised, but to me, religion should play a key role in determining relationships.

Religion is a powerful thing; it shapes our perception of the world, can change our lives and bring comfort to some of our most unanswerable questions. I like the idea that it would be easy for religions to merge together and for couples to be able to accept each other’s beliefs, I just don’t think it is. The problem with mixing different religions and dating is that for many people following your given religion is the sole purpose of life, so how can you end up with someone who practices a faith that challenges and questions everything you base your life

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on? The bible warns Christians to not be “unequally yoked.” I honestly thought this was Jesus being creative with some random cooking lesson about how to equally share your eggs, but it just means marry within your faith. But it raises a point that as followers of a faith, you take on the responsibility to obey what that religion asks of you. I’m not saying I think it’s mandatory that one marries within their religion, I just think that doing so prevents a lot of problems down the road.

Being with someone of the same religion helps establish

NINA LIN / THE STATESMAN

Religiosity can affect choice of significant other.

better grounds for agreement in the relationship. To me it seems that, even if it was not intended, the way you were raised was greatly affected by your religion/ culture. Your values, life goals and

your beliefs are many things that you as a person will want to pass down onto your children. But that contrast in faith is going to create a barrier in communication, and arguing with someone you love over his or her beliefs is an extremely awkward situation.

On the other hand if you truly love someone, religion will probably be the last thing on your mind. Finding somebody you connect with and establish a long-term relationship with is not simple. And if you find that special person, it would seem trivial to give them up for, what may seem at times, an intangible world of promises. But I guess that’s where the factor of how religious one person is comes in.

If religion is not a large part of your life then it is not going to matter if you find a partner that fits your religious practice. But if it does matter to one member in the relationship, it complicates the situation.

In my mind, if I meet someone I truly love, it would be horribly difficult to place my faith first, even if in the back of my mind I will know the whole time that it’s something I should do. And even though marrying within your practice is encouraged, finding happiness, whether it is with the person you love or through the religion you follow, is the most important thing. It’s just key to remember the challenges that come with merging different religions and the hindrance it may have on that happiness.

The Statesman

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18

Monday, February 10, 2014

Sports

The Statesman

Asar and Lopez-Gay hope to make difference on collegiate level Continued from page 19 Brook.

“At times it’s difficult to work with the boys that are my weight because they are immensely stronger than me,” Asar said. “However the positive side of this is that I learn to work around their strength or use it against them.”

Both women have enjoyed their time wrestling for Stony Brook so far. They also say that they have been treated well by their male coaches and teammates on the team.

The male wrestlers on Stony Brook’s team had a big influence on both girls deciding to wrestle for the squad.

Lopez-Gay heard one the team’s wrestlers speak at freshman orientation and then asked him how she could get involved with the club. She had received scholarship offers to wrestle for universities in Florida and California, but was looking for a less intense and more fun experience than those schools offered.

Asar decided to join the club after talking with several of the team’s wrestlers that she saw around campus. They were very inviting, and convinced her to give college wrestling a shot.

“The rest of my team treats me like another one of the guys,” Asar said. “I love that I don’t get special treatment for being a girl.”

Lopez-Gay has also felt accepted

by her Stony Brook teammates.

This has been important to her, since she has not always gotten the same amount of respect from the men she has had to deal with in the sport in the past.

“I’ve gone to matches before in high school where people won't even show support at matches for you, because you’re a girl,” Lopez-Gay said. “It was really disappointing, and sad.”

Lopez-Gay says she has also come across many male coaches who did not believe there should be female wrestlers, as well as male wrestlers who would give her a hard time.

“It can be really intimidating, because the ratio of boys-to-girls is so different,” she said. “It can also be really scary, because (guys) act a lot different on the wrestling team.”

Ultimately, though, Lopez-Gay feels the thrill of victory in the ring has made whatever she had to endure worth it.

“Once you push through all of that it’s so worth it,” she said. “It’s so worth it for that moment that the ref lifts your hand. When you win your first match, and you walk off the mat and see your whole team all happy for you, it’s like the best feeling in the entire world.”

Asar has dealt with a lot of the same negativity that Lopez-Gay has, and also agrees that it’s important for women not to quit on the sport.

“I have encountered my share of difficult and close minded males

PHOTO COURTESY OF SBU WRESTLING'S FACEBOOK PAGE

Amena Asar (right) shakes hand with an opponent before a match in Dalton, GA. that don’t want to engage with me at practice or tournaments,” Asar said. “I feel the only way to end the ignorance is to have more women join wrestling and display our talents, in order to change people’s minds.”

Lopez-Gay and Asar joined the Stony Brook wrestling club because of the passion they have for the sport. But, they also hope that the

two of them being out on the mat will make female wrestlers at the college level more common place in the future.

“I hope Stony Brook starts to build a (women’s) program,” Lopez-Gay said. “I love it so much.

Me and my best friends love it so much. I hope that there are other girls out there that would enjoy it as much as us.”

Asar also hopes that more girls take up wrestling. She encourages them to take a leap of faith and tryout the sport.

“It will be the best decision that they will ever make in their lifetime,” Asar said. “Wrestling is not only a wonderful and challenging sport but also a lesson on how to deal with obstacles that we all face in life.”

Number of homosexual athletes in professional sports on the rise

By Brandon Bennett Staff Writer

In an article for "Sports Illustrated" last year, NBA center Jason Collins came out and became the first openly gay NBA player who at the time of his statement was still active. When Collins announced his sexual orientation to the world, he became the first male professional athlete playing in the United States to state that he is gay.

After his retirement from the NBA in 2007, John Amaechi became the first NBA player to come out when he identified himself as a homosexual in his book "Man in the Middle".

Amaechi’s statement stimulated controversial discussions regarding homosexuals in the NBA and in professional sports.

Sports analysts had a field day with Amaechi’s claim. Meanwhile, sports figures reacted to the news.

While Amaechi’s statement made headlines across the world, some

may argue that it was not merely as controversial as Collins’ claim.

Why? Because Amaechi was retired when he came out. On the other hand, Collins is still active.

“I think everyone has the right to their own beliefs and they should do what they want to do,” said Wes Hawkins, a senior captain on the hockey team.

“Whether they are gay or straight, they should be able to have the same opportunities that every other athlete has.”

Upon the release of his statement, Collins received support from NBA players across the league. Not only did NBA players post their public displays of support but he also received words of encourage from President Barack Obama.

While Collins is paving the way for other professional athletes to embrace their homosexual sexual orientation, former NFL player Dave Kopay was the first athlete to identify himself as a homosexual. Since then,

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS

The Olympics sparked controversy this year with their policies on homosexuality. It caused some boycotting.

the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has become accepted in almost all circles of life. Therefore, most LGBT people have no problem being comfortable with their sexual orientation. In turn, some athletes have done the same.

In this year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, there are seven openly gay athletes and all of them are women.

Ireen Wüst and Sanne van Kerkhof are Dutch speed skaters.

Also Dutch, Cheryl Maas is a snowboarder. Daniela IraschkoStolz is an Australian ski jumper and Belle Brockhoff is an Australian snowboarder. Barbara Jezeršek is a Slovenia crosscountry skier and Anastasia Bucsis is a Canadia speed skater. These seven openly gay participators have made this year one of the most “colorful” Winter Olympics to date.

Due to the steadily growing acceptance of openly gay athletes in the world of sports, many may argue that it is admissible for athletes to come out. However, some may argue otherwise.

So far, Jason Collins has not been signed to a team since the start of the 2013-2014 NBA season. Interest in the 35-yearold center is at a premium. Some may claim that at this point in his career, Collins does not serve as an offensive threat and is not worthy of higher than the third center position. Most people would argue that Collins is a modest player at best with a dismal career stat line of 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds a game. Thus, it is possible that an

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS

Jason Collins became the first active gay professional athlete when he came out to Sports Illustrated in 2013.

NBA team would be taking a risk by signing Collins. Nonetheless, others may argue that Collins is an unwanted commodity because he is the first openly gay NBA player.

“If they [homosexual athletes] are as good or better than straight athletes, it shouldn’t matter,” said Hawkins. “An athlete is an athlete.”

Sports

Stony Brook's female wrestlers look to grow sport for women

By Joe Galotti

Assistant Sports Editor

This year, the Stony Brook wrestling club features two women on its roster. Junior Amena Asar and freshman Abigael Lopez-Gay have had the opportunity to compete on the collegiate level this season and will both get the chance to go to Nationals this spring in Virginia.

But both women have not always had the easiest time in being able to participate in the sport they love. Along the way, they have had to overcome fear, intimidation and being disrespected at times because of their gender.

“It’s always been a challenge,” Lopez-Gay said. “But, knowing that it’s a growing sport, and the fact that we continue to go to tournaments and wrestle, means we’re helping make the sport grow for women. We’re part of that movement, and making that difference is really important.”

The sport of women’s wrestling is beginning to grow in New York, but at a slow pace. The number of matches Lopez-Gay and Asar get at the college level has been limited by the number of female opponents available for them to face in the area.

“Females are often intimidated by wrestling and don’t understand what a great sport it honestly is,” Asar said. “I would love to have a full line up of women to practice and compete with.”

Women’s wrestling teams are much more common in other parts of the country. One of those places is California, where Lopez-Gay attended high school.

Lopez-Gay joined her high school wrestling team during her sophomore year. There, she began to fall in love with the sport, and enjoyed being part of the tight knit

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SBU WRESTLING'S FACEBOOK PAGE

Abigael Lopez-Gay (left) and Amena Asar (right) will represent SBU Wrestling this spring at Nationals in Virginia. group of girls on her team.

“My high school team was super close,” Lopez-Gay said. “There was a lot of team bonding.”

The high point of her high school wrestling career came when she had a chance to qualify for California State Finals during her senior year.

In order to win a position at states she had to beat an opponent, who she had lost a match to just a week earlier.

Lopez-Gay was not expected to qualify for states, which was shown in the pre-ranking seedings that

came out a week earlier. But once she got out on the mat, she was able to come away with the victory and earn a spot at states.

“It was one of the best moments of my life,” she said. “I started crying, because I was really happy. I remember running off the mat and getting a giant hug from my entire team.”

Asar grew up in Queens, N.Y., and attended Francis Lewis High School. Her interest in sports of aggressive nature made her decide to join the school’s wrestling team

during her junior year.

She competed on the boy’s varsity team, and frequently had a chance to wrestle against male opponents.

“I have beaten boys in the past,” Asar said. “It always took hard work and dedication to do so. I feel like a lucky individual to say that I was given the same amount of opportunities as the male wrestlers in my community.”

Both girls have had the opportunity to take on male wrestlers at different levels. Lopez-

Gay often got the chance to wrestle against male opponents during practices in high school, and says the experiences improved her skills on the mat.

“We would get to wrestle up weight, and it just made us better wrestlers,” Lopez-Gay said.

Asar has found the same thing when she has had the chance to wrestle against boys in high school, and during practices for Stony

prior.

The coach feared that he would say that he was transferring to another school.

Seeing as how Mertens would be the kicker for the next four years at the Division III school, that would be a huge loss for the team.

Coach Glen Fowles breathed a sigh of relief and then asked him what was on his mind.

"I'm bisexual," Mertens told Fowles. "I like dudes. I have a boyfriend. And next week, I'm going to tell the world."

That he would, and he would send collegiate athletics into something that they had never been into before.

The real question within this whole story is if this really a big deal.

Jaret Petras, a freshman who is on the Stony Brook club soccer team and played for a year and a half under professional camps in Europe, thinks it is, but for it to come out in sports is even bigger.

“Homosexuality is a

controversial subject and is not socially acceptable by everyone’s standards,” he said. “Sports are a major component of American culture and hopefully we can use it to change how we look at homosexuals as a society.”

Mertens was hoping that this would be the jumping-off point, and that this would move collegiate athletics into a new development, making it more comfortable for other athletes to come out.

But he was taking a big risk in taking this public.

Many athletes have come out to their friends or their coaches, but never publicly, fearing what would happen next.

Mertens was no exception to this, as he feared that he would lose his friends and teammates if he brought up the fact that he was bisexual.

In a sport like football, where all you hear are the stories about teammates being brothers and family to the end, this would be a big thing to hear.

At first it might be a little

weird, because it is a big statement and the American culture really has not gotten used to this. There are still a lot of people who do not like that it has perpetrated into our culture.

“Because of this, people have a tendency to victimize homosexuals because they do not want to understand something that seems so different,” Petras said.

The only question within it all is how would this affect the locker room?

Would it make it awkward because there is a non-straight man who is seeing you get dressed?

“If it is revealed early in the season, it would make it easier for us as a team to accept it quickly and as a team,” Petras said.

“However, if it is revealed later on, the team would feel that we have been misled and it will make the situation needlessly more awkward, especially for the individual person,” he said.

That is not how Mertens is

taking it, as he posted a letter picture to Twitter, directed at his hometown and at other nonstraight athletes. It did not take long for it to strike home.

One week later, Mertens’s boyfriend, Chandler Whitney, came out as gay.

And his locker room experience has not changed. “It has stayed the same, and they still make the same jokes minus a few choice words,” he told SB Nation in an interview last week.

So is it really a big deal that Conner Mertens came out as bisexual? Yes it is.

Mertens did not just come out as bisexual.

He started a movement within collegiate athletics to show them that coming out is not as bad as everybody said it would be.

It is the biggest coming out party since Jackie Robinson in 1947.

Though it will not be as big and influential, it is still going to be a big part of athletics, both collegiate and professional, from this point forward.

Continued on page 18

First collegiate athlete comes out: Is this a big deal?

By Cameron Boon Staff Writer

Flashback to 1947: Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American player in Major League Baseball, breaking the game’s color barrier.

Robinson made this jump to the Brooklyn Dodgers because he felt that it was not fair for the African American athletes to be playing in a league that was not at the same level as the best competition in the country at that time.

Now fast-forward to April 29, 2013. Jason Collins becomes the first player from the four big sports (NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL) to come out as gay.

The former Washington Wizards center and Stanford All-American broke that barrier.

Now the collegiate barrier has been broken.

Conner Mertens announced his sexuality on Jan. 28 of this year, becoming the first college athlete to come out.

The Willamette University kicker first told his coach a week