As of recent, the only conversations about sex at Tulane have been about the startling prevalence of sexual violence on campus. In the recent climate survey, 41% of women reported being sexually assaulted during their 4 years, making these conversations imperative and extremely long overdue.
There have been too many stories that expose the traumatic experiences of our peers, and countless others that have been left unsaid, kept closely and painfully by the unlucky person who has been put through such an unimaginable—yet all too common—experience. These survivors are so brave, and the cost of their bravery is unacceptable. As college students, we need to acknowledge and discuss what is happening around us, to prevent the staggering numbers from climbing higher.
Since the beginning of the #MeToo movement in October 2017, conversations have boomed surrounding consent, sexual assault, and the all-too-familiar “gray zone,” referring to sexual experiences where consent is not so black and white. It’s possible that the individual didn’t refuse the encounter, but they certainly didn’t invite it. Maybe they felt like they did. Or maybe they were intimidated. Or they didn’t want to hurt the other’s feelings. Or they were too drunk to fully consent. The list goes on.
I know that there’s room for conversations about healthy sexual encounters and relationships at Tulane. Just as it is important to call out and condemn such disgusting behavior (a practice we are learning in such troubling and unpredictable political times), it is also valuable to celebrate and model positive behaviors.
So let’s talk about sex at Tulane. The good, the mediocre, even the unsatisfying- so long as it’s all consensual. It’s happening, though not as much as we’d like (but maybe I’m projecting), and it’s very weird that no one is talking about it.
Enter: Sex and the Crescent City, a hub for conversations about real things happening at Tulane. One-night stands, orgasm inequality, what STIs are floating around in The Boot’s well tequila, and so much more. We want to take an in-depth, on-the-ground look at Tulane’s sex culture, and in classic New Orleans fashion, we plan on being as colorful and raunchy as possible.
What Tulane students lack in dating etiquette, they are sure to make up for in their oversharing of happy hour escapades. So if you’re just as curious as I am about what’s really happening when it comes to sex on campus, let’s talk openly about it—and feel free to write tulanemagazine@gmail.com with any topics you want to see us discuss.
Resources for reporting sexual violence at Tulane can be found here.
COVER PHOTO: Vicky Novak
