Portland State Vanguard, Volume 74, Issue 19 (Love & Sex Guide)

VOLUME 74 • ISSUE 19 • FEBRUARY 11, 2020

L VE

&

sex

2020

A GIANT OF MANY FEET: SEX WORK AND ME

HOW TO NOT BE AN INCONSIDERATE PIECE OF SHIT: A GUIDE FOR GUYS

BEST AND WORST DATES

CRIME BLOTTER

Feb. 3–7

HANNA ANDERSON FEB. 3 Bicycle Theft A Portland State student reported bicycle theft outside the Academic Student Recreation Center between 4:50 and 5:30 p.m.

FEB. 7 Fraud by Deception A PSU student reported money missing from their account at approximately 11:25 a.m. after cashing a non-student’s check.

FEB. 4 Disorderly Conduct An intoxicated and combative non-student was evicted from the University Place Hotel at 12:52 a.m. after making multiple 911 calls.

Vandalism A PSU employee reported damage on their vehicle at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the University Center Building parking.

Fire Alarm/Disorderly Conduct At approximately 3:45 p.m., Campus Public Safety officers and Portland Fire Bureau responded to a pulled fire alarm at the Urban Center Starbucks, with no smoke/flames.

Vehicle Break-In At approximately 6:55 p.m., a PSU employee reported a vehicle break-in and theft of property in Blumel Residence Hall parking.

FEB. 5 Trespass Warning & Arrest At approximately 3 a.m., two non-students were issued warnings for trespassing in Ondine Hall, and two non-students were issued citations for sleeping in a residential area.

CONTENTS COVER BY DANA TOWNSEND

NEWS TRANSFER AND RETURNING STUDENT RESOURCE CENTER OPENS AT PSU

P. 4

ARTS & CULTURE COMEDY FOR PEACE

P. 26

STUDENTS WEIGH IN ON PSU’S NUMBER ONE LOCATION RANKING

P.5

CORPORATE SOLUTIONS FROM TORO Y MOI AT THE FISK GALLERY

P. 27

CREATING A COLLECTIVE VOICE FOR IMMIGRANTS

P. 6

OREGON SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES LAST SEASON WITH CARLOS KALMAR

P. 27

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE IN THE CLIMATE CRISIS

P. 28

OPINION HAVE YOU HEARD? THE SEX EDITION

P. 29

SPORTS WHY DO WE LOVE SPORTS?

P. 30

COMICS

P. 31

EVENTS CALENDAR

P. 32

INTERNATIONAL DEATH OF ACTIVIST LEADS TO ‘FEMICIDE’ PROTESTS IN LATIN AMERICA

P. 7

AFRICA SEES WORST LOCUST SWARMS IN 25 YEARS

P. 7

47-YEAR MEMBERSHIP ENDS AS THE UK LEAVES THE EU

P. 8

LOVE & SEX GUIDE 2020

P. 9–24

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL: POSTWAR JAPAN: PAST OR PRESENT?

P. 25

STAFF

EDIT ORI A L EDITOR IN CHIEF Dylan Jefferies MANAGING EDITOR Anthony Montes NEWS EDITORS Hanna Anderson Justin Grinnell INTERNATIONAL EDITOR Chloe Dysart ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Nick Townsend OPINION EDITOR AJ Earl ONLINE EDITOR Annie Schutz

COPY CHIEF Hannah Welbourn

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Owen Demetre

CONTRIBUTORS Juliana Bigelow Jordan Cagle Yuri Chavez-Maciel Sophie Concannon Felipe Flores Adira Freigeist Karina Ida Ayu Dwijayanti Anna Leclerc Emma Sage Quinn Stoddard Ian Storey Teri Walters Karisa Yuasa

PRODUC TION & DE SIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR John Rojas

PHO T O & MULTIMEDI A PHOTO EDITOR Alex Wittwer

LEAD DESIGNER Dana Townsend DESIGNERS Brandon Pahnish Sam Person DIS T RIBU TION & M A R K E TING DISTRIBUTION & MARKETING MANAGER Dylan Jefferies T ECHNOL OGY & W EB SIT E STUDENT MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR Corrine Nightingale

TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANTS Juliana Bigelow George Olson John Rojas A DV ISING & ACCOUN TING COORDINATOR OF STUDENT MEDIA Reaz Mahmood STUDENT MEDIA ACCOUNTANT Sheri Pitcher To contact Portland State Vanguard, email editor@psuvanguard.com

MIS SION S TAT EMEN T 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.

A BOU T 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, Twitter and Instagram @psuvanguard for multimedia content and breaking news.

NEWS

FEB. 5–8 HANNA ANDERSON

FEB. 5: PRESIDENT TRUMP ACQUITTED IN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

President Donald Trump was acquitted on two articles of impeachment by the United States Senate. The votes were split nearly perfectly along party lines. On the first article, abuse of power, 52 senators voted not guilty, while 48 voted guilty—including Mitt Romney, R–Utah, the only senator to diverge from the party vote. The second article, obstruction of government, was 53-47 in favor of acquittal. In order for the president to have been removed from office, a two-thirds majority guilty vote was needed. The articles of impeachment reached the Senate after being voted on by the House of Representatives with a similarly, near party-line vote, according to Politico.

FEB. 6: PROTEST AGAINST “CAP AND TRADE” BILL HELD IN FRONT OF LEGISLATURE

Conservative Oregonians held a rally in front of the Oregon State Capitol to protest the potential “Cap and Trade” bill that would limit carbon emissions in the state. According to AP News, a large number of the protesters were truck drivers, blaring their truck’s horns so that they would be heard inside the building while legislators were working. The demonstration was organized by group Timber Unity, who also opposed and held demonstrations against the previous 2019 Cap and Trade Legislation. According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, the central arguments against the legislation were increased energy costs for consumers, as well as arguing for the legislation to go to Oregon voters, as opposed to state Congress.

FEB. 6: 10 CENT GAS TAX RENEWAL MOVES TO PORTLAND BALLOT

Portland City Council voted unanimously to ask voters to approve a 10 cent per gallon gas tax, which will appear on the May 2020 ballot. If approved, the vote would renew the gas tax program for another four years, according to The Oregonian—voters previously ok’d the gas tax in 2016, with 56% of the vote in favor. The money would go toward a variety of city projects to improve and maintain roads and sidewalks, totalling $74.5 million altogether. However, according to OPB, a city audit of the tax released in May 2019 had revealed the majority of the projects hadn’t been started—the Bureau of Transportation has insisted the projects have sped up since.

FEB. 8: PUBLIC HEARING HELD FOR “CAP AND TRADE” BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE

A public hearing for the potential “Cap and Trade” bill before the Oregon Senate Committee On Environment and Natural Resources drew in a massive crowd, according to AP News. The hearing for the controversial bill was attended by over 150 people who signed up to testify, both in support and opposition to the legislation. The allotted speaking time for attendees was reduced to 90 seconds in order to accomodate the amount of attendees wishing to speak. The committee will hold a work session to discuss the bill on Feb. 11. While the public is typically not allowed testimony during a work session, a demonstration in support of the bill is planned for that Tuesday.

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CONTRIBUTOR

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PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

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NEWS

TRANSFER AND RETURNING STUDENT CENTER OPENS AT PORTLAND STATE

ALEX WITTWER/PSU VANGUARD

HANNA ANDERSON Making up the majority of the student population, it’s easy to find transfer and returning students in every corner of campus—in classes, in clubs, in housing and any other campus center. Now, transfer students have a center to call their own.

Portland State held the grand opening event for the new Transfer and Returning Student Center on Feb 6. Located on the third floor of Fariborz Maseeh Hall, the resource center was created to specifically cater to the needs of students from other colleges or students returning to school after a break, providing and connecting them to resources on campus.

The event included multiple speakers, including Randi Harris, the director of the Transfer and Returning Student Center.

“This newly established Transfer Returning Student Resource Center will give our students a supportive home base to help them transition to PSU,” she said. “This is one of the many ways that our caring and faculty and staff can connect students to the opportunity and support they need to realize the transformative power of a college degree.”

According to Harris, 60% of students at PSU transfer from another college. However, while PSU has had readily available resources for students transitioning from high school to college, there are fewer specifically for students transitioning from another university.

“What I think can be tricky for students sometimes is that transition when you’re used to being at one institution, you get used to all their systems and all of sudden it’s very different here,” Harris said. “So how can we help students know that that’s a normal experience.”

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The new center will provide a variety of services for students, including advising. Where students would currently see separate advisors based on specific subjects, the advisors at the Transfer and Returning Student Center will help students plan a complete path to their chosen degree and career.

For the questions they can’t answer, the center will serve as a starting point for transfer students and connect them to the campus resources that will best help them.

“We offer academic advising to prospective transfer students, we serve as a bridge between admissions, and then bringing in matriculated students to help transfer and returning students with that transition to PSU,” Harris said. “We also provide workshops, a social space, a place for students to ask questions if they are current PSU students and they identify as a transfer or a returning student, [and] we can help students get connected to resources.”

A lack of condensed information is one of the first issues with the current transfer process, according to Jeannie Balenger—a PSU student who transferred from Portland Community College—who spoke on her experience through the transfer process.

“What would have been the most useful is to have more information condensed versus having to contact one person for one thing and another person for another thing, and trying to just keep track of all the steps I needed to do and all the different places I needed to go and people I needed to contact,” she said. “It’d be nice if there was one central place.”

“I wish I would have had more resources for transfer students [specifically]. So when I did hear that there was a transfer resource center that just was implemented, I was really

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

happy for fellow transfer students,” said Victoria Solares, a transfer student from Chemeketa Community College. “I really wish I would have had a sense of community with transfer students...even just a resource on how to easily transition for that first year. Because for me, I was moving from Salem, all the way to Portland, so I didn’t know people here. I didn’t have a sense of community of transfer students [and] I didn’t really know much about resources, so I kind of had to figure out all of that myself.”

A space tailored specifically to transfer students was also important to Balenger, who explained, “I think it would be nice to see some type of, not necessarily a resource center, but a place where non-traditional students might feel a little more welcome to or comfortable, because when you’re not 18 to 25, you do feel a little out of place, especially at resource centers.”

Despite the current difficulties of the process for transfer students, they still make up a majority of the student population on campus and have come to define part of PSU’s culture.

While the current center is still incredibly new—it plans on holding a second grand opening in March, that will be geared more towards current and prospective students—it is already ready to help the student population that needs them there.

“The experiences that our students have and the things that they have done, and how they’ve navigated these systems, is what makes some really awesome students,” Harris said. “They’re incredibly resilient and have a lot of skills and talents and abilities that they bring to the work that they do... that large majority of our students is what makes this such an awesome place for all students to learn.”

NEWS

STUDENTS WEIGH IN ON PSU’S NUMBER ONE LOCATION RANKING YURI CHAVEZ-MACIEL

Portland State’s 50-acre downtown campus was ranked the number one campus location in the United States. But do students agree?

The ranking comes from Niche.com, a Pittsburgh-based company that runs a review and rank site. The site grades K–12 schools, colleges, cities, neighborhoods and companies across the U.S. on such attributes as best value, best professors best student life and best location. Currently, the website features over 1,325 online reviews that rank PSU as “very good” or “excellent” overall.

Niche.com’s algorithm utilizes a combination of public data, scorecards and input from student surveys to generate the rankings. Its ranking of PSU as the number one best campus location comes from PSUs access to bars, shopping centers and restaurants, the cost of living, Niche-generated grades on local crime, access to outdoor activities and more.

PSU student Mallory Cross praised the beauty of PSU’s campus: “The buildings are really beautiful, and so is the campus.” In recent years, PSU has seen numerous infrastructural upgrades: the incorporation of gender-inclusive restrooms, the Peter Stott Center upgrade of 2018 and the renovation of the Fariborz Maseeh Hall, according to PSU’s website.

PSU’s location downtown comes with nearby access to an array of food carts, kombucha taprooms, coffee shops and indie bookstores—all accessible by foot, bike or streetcar.

Jair Chavez, a PSU freshman, said: “PSU is exceptional in that the cost of living in Portland isn’t as expensive as other major cities—Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco—but you still get to experience a slice of the urban city life characteristic of those cities.”

“It’s really expensive out here,” said Jordan Loucks, a social work major. “I used to live on campus, but I had to move back home—cost-wise.”

Some students also shared their perspectives on PSU campus diversity.

“Overall, Portland State is a beautifully diverse, accepting campus,” Chavez said. “There’s a ton of on-campus clubs... for all walks of life.”

Josh Brennan, a political science major, gave a different perspective about campus diversity: “I see a lack of diver-

sity, especially because I’m a poli-sci major...it’s a huge echochamber,” he said. “Campus is liberal, which is not a problem, as long as there is room for disagreement.”

PSU’s strategic geographical location in relation to TriMet transit brings in many commuters— about 49% of students use mass transit regularly, according to PSU demographics from fall 2019.

Despite a two-hour commute to campus from Forest Grove, PSU student Rain Michael said: “[PSU is] super accessible; that’s what I like about the campus.” Because of nearby access to TriMet lines, biochemistry major Alicia Arreola-Bustos said: “When looking at PSU, you find it is in reality a rather flourishing environment that is in close distance of various beneficial buildings. Whether you’re an art, business or STEM major, the city we are in offers access to all those career paths.”

“There’s a lot of areas in Portland to do the nature stuff— not all of them are TriMet accessible, but they are in close proximity,” Loucks said.

But PSU’s proximity to the downtown area and accessibility raises concerns.

“With PSU being an untraditional, open college campus, we are vulnerable to the forces of the city,” Chavez said. “I think that’s why PSU is so reluctant to disarm [campus public safety officers], which is unfortunate because that’s what resulted in the death of Jason Washington last year and concerns over student safety in regards to armed campus officers.”

“It gets sketchy because you’re putting security officers and police officers in that situation more frequently because of the open campus,” Brennan said.

“I spent a summer at [the University of Southern California], where it’s not the best area. There’s a lot of crime around there, but it’s all gated off,” said Lilly Mahollick, a PSU student. “Because [PSU] is very open, you get people wandering around, coming into our school...I don’t know if it should be so easy for everyone to come in.”

The openness of campus also means the general lack of privacy for some. Cross said, “As a commuter, there’s not a lot of spaces where there’s not a lot of people. There’s not anywhere to get away if you don’t have a dorm, and you just kind of want to rest—which comes with being in the city.”

ALEX WITTWER/PSU VANGUARD

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

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NEWS

CREATING A COLLECTIVE

VOICE FOR

IMMIGRANTS QUINN STODDARD

Professors from multiple departments at Portland State came together to have a public discussion on immigration on Feb. 6 Taking place at the Robertson Life Sciences building, the event—Tag, We’re It: Voices on Immigration—covered a variety of topics including factors that cause migration, forced migration and a brief history of migration and borders.

One of the event facilitators, Communications Manager for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Cristina Rojas, spoke to the goals of this discussion. “Tag came from a play on the childhood game: Tag, you’re it. [Today] we’re ‘it,’ and ultimately we’re responsible for the future of immigration.” “[When] this started, we wanted to create a series around and ways in which the depth of the research that occurs [here] can add its voice,” Rojas said. “This event is about immigration migrations. We have a research cluster [migration studies] within the CLAS that brings together faculty members from five different departments around this issue.”

Todd Rosenstiel, associate dean for research, began the event with a land acknowledgement—a moment of silence to honor the indigenous people whose homelands Portland is settled on—and then moved into a trivia round for attendees to test their knowledge on immigration topics: LBGTQ+ people in ICE custody are how many more times likely to be sexually victimized than non-LBGTQ+ people in detention? 97% was the answer.

As the evening proceeded, each professor spoke on a topic and was given roughly 15 minutes to present. The first presenter—Philosophy Department Chair Alex Sager— spoke to the social appearance attributed to immigrants. “[Immigration] is not going away anytime soon. We live in a mobile world. We need to think about [creating] policies and institutions for mobile people.”

Another panelist detailed important aspects of immigration in the world such as the history and relationship of ideas like nativism or favoring native inhabitants over someone foreign. “We are experiencing nativism in a way we perhaps never have,” said Marc Rodriguez, professor of history at PSU. “I remember thinking these ideas were just things for me to teach about in classes.”

The loss of language and the social pressure to assimilate were issues discussed by Dr. Melissa Patiño-Vega, assistant professor of Latino studies. Patiño-Vega noted one concern of the speed in which heritage languages are no longer being spoken by second and third generation descendants.

“The United States is home to the second largest number of Spanish speakers in the world, however, when we analyze these families we begin to a form of language loss,” PatiñoVega said.

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JOHN ROJAS

“Many things are lost when we lose our language,” PatiñoVega said. “We have family connections die out. [I] think of the holidays when I go back to my family. My grandfather is in the room and my cousins cannot communicate with him because there is a language barrier.”

Patiño-Vega also talked about identity and belonging, describing how when someone is assimilated into American culture, they sometimes are rejected due to not being “American enough” as well as issues in their original culture due to an inability to speak the language.

Dr. Eddy Alvarez, assistant professor in women, gender and sexuality studies discussed the issues facing LBGTQ+ immigrants in the U.S. Alvarez told the story of Bamby Salcedo, president of the TransLatin@ Coalition and trans-rights activist and also talked about the misrepresentation of LBGTQ+ immigrants.

“The government does not allocate sufficient funds for trans immigrants, just as [they] did not allocate funds for folks who were dying from AIDS in the ‘80s,” Alvarez said.

“The immigrant rights movement has been seen through a very heteronormative agenda.”

The final presenter—Dr. Harry Anastasiou, a professor in the conflict resolution graduate program—ended the presentation by discussing different motivating factors which have spurred immigration around the world in what is known as forced migration. “There are a lot of causes, but the three main ones are environmental degradation, economic deprivation and warfare,” Anastasiou said.

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

Attendees of the discussion varied as much as the panel members. Johnathan Vargas—an international studies student at PSU—was in attendance to search for inspiration on his thesis paper. “I wanted to hear the information [being given] today,” Vargas said. “My own thesis focuses on social divisions or borders.”

“This is an opportunity for those who aren’t familiar with this topic. [They] gain perspective on peoples’ lives and how they’re integrated with our own,” Vargas said. “This is a way to push back barriers and get information on other people’s experiences.”

INTERNATIONAL

DEATH OF 26-YEAROLD ACTIVIST LEADS TO ‘FEMICIDE’ PROTESTS IN LATIN AMERICA PROTESTERS AT A FEMICIDE PROTEST IN ZOCALO, MEXICO CITY THE DAY AFTER INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 2019. THAYNE TUASON/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

KARINA IDA AYU DWIJAYANTI The slaying of 26-year-old Isabel Cabanillas de la Torre on Jan. 18 has fueled demonstrations against “femicide,” or the act of murder based on ones gender in areas of Latin America.

According to BBC, Latin America has one of the highest rates of femicide in the world, with 98% of gender-related killings remaining unprosecuted.

At the center of the protests is the killing of Cabanillas, a young activist and artist who was shot in the Mexican border city of Juárez. The motivations for the killing of Cabanillas remain unknown.

Protesters chanted “not one more” while marching to the historic center of the city and the top of the international bridge that connects Mexico to El Paso, Texas in hopes of sending a message to police, reported NPR. Lorena Nunez Gonzalez, a Latina PSU student who is also an outreach and involvement coordinator of Dream PSU club, expressed her experiences in Mexico where she grew up: “How violent it is to just to be a woman no matter wherever you are, but especially in Mexico. Like I would wear

jeans, not even a skirt, people would catcall me, 10 men on the street would yell at me.”

Gonzalez said she believes Mexico is still a traditional country where if women gain autonomy, men are going to feel threatened about losing their power, as she shared her mother’s story about her experience as a woman in Mexico: “Their police force is very corrupt, so my mom has so many stories of her being catcalled or being harrassed and she has many times gone to the police station in Mexico. They either ignored her or make fun of her, or even they catcalled her a lot.”

According to The New York Times, machismo—or aggressive masculine pride—is valued within many cultures in Latin America. This often leads to authories becoming complicit or often times abusive toward reports of sexual harassment or violence by women.

One out of every three women in Latin America has experienced sexual or physical violence, according to a study done by the United Nations.

AFRICA SEES WORST LOCUST SWARMS IN 25 YEARS COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Susanne Bahl, a professor in the criminology and criminal justice department at PSU, said corruption by drug cartels plays a role in the number of unsolved cases. “Drug cartels run some cities in Mexico, like Cuidad Juarez, which impedes law enforcement’s efforts to catch the abusers/murderers of the missing women.”

According to the UN, violence against women in Mexico has gone up substantially in the last two years. The rate of killings has gone up to 10 women killed per day in 2019.

Dr. Danielle McGurrin, an associate professor of criminology at PSU, said, “Governmental corruption by the state and impunity for offenders generally go hand in hand, this coupling effect—among other causes—allows these crimes to negatively reinforce the behavior.”

“Some women victims are at greater risk for victimization because of the dangerous geographic pathways between home and work,” MrGurrin said. “Criminal offenders tend to exploit the environment and opportunity, especially when there’s little formal and informal social control to deter crimes and offenders.”

TERI WALTERS East Africa is experiencing the worst locust swarms in 25 years, according to CNN. Locusts swarms this size could cause serious implications for the alreadydepleting food supply in the area.

Millions of locusts have taken over farms in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, feasting on the crops. Farmers have been trying to drive out the swarms with little success; “Even cows are wondering what is happening,” farmer Ndunda Makanga told Time. “Corn, sorghum, cowpeas, they have eaten everything.”

According to CNN, locusts swarms are known to the area but are irregular and have been much smaller in the past.

Director General of Desert Locust Control Organization Dr. Stephen Njoka said, “This current invasion of desert locust is significantly larger in magnitude and scale than previously experienced in Kenya and across East Africa.”

Heavy rains caused by irregular weather and climate conditions in 2019 are thought to have contributed to the infestation of locusts in the area, according to CNN. Without immediate action, the United Nations predicts rains that typically come in March and last through June could multiply the locusts by 500 times before the rain stops.

The UN said that the only comprehensive way to fight them is $70 million worth of aerial pesticides. Due to the unstable conditions of Somalia, this task will not be easy, according to Time.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization, known as FAO, said the desert locusts could stay for a long time, traveling up to 80 miles a day. A locust swarm the size of Paris could eat the same amount of food as the entirety of France, according to FAO. Before the outbreak of locusts, 20 million residents in East Africa were experiencing high levels of food insecurity due to flooding and periodic droughts, according to Time. Farmers are losing crops at a high rate, causing panic.

Locusts do not attack people or animals and are not known to carry any diseases, according to the FAO. Devastation will mainly affect crops, resident of Ethiopia’s Sidama region Buni Orissa said. “The locusts love cabbage and beans. This may threaten the shaky food security in the region.”

The UN said that in history, people and birds have eaten the locusts, but it is unlikely to happen at a rate quick enough to help diminish the population. They have provided recipes using Ugandan seasonings, onions and curry powder to incentivize residents to use the locusts in their cooking.

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

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ARTS NEWS INTERNATIONAL NEWS& CULTURE

47-YEAR MEMBERSHIP ENDS AS THE UNITED KINGDOM LEAVES THE EUROPEAN UNION

ANTI-BREXIT, PRO-EU, PRO-UK, PEOPLE’S VOTE PROTESTERS MARCH IN LONDON, ENGLAND, IN OCT. 2019.

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

CHLOE DYSART

Jan. 31 marked the United Kingdom officially leaving the European Union after 47 years, coined “Brexit” as a shorthand for “British Exit.” Brexit experienced two previous delays in Oct. 2019 and April 2017.

According to BBC, the UK will go through an 11-month transition period where they will abide by previous EU rules and regulations.

In the transition agreement, the UK will stay in the EU’s customs union and single market, meaning the same trade rules apply, as well as the freedom to travel between the UK and EU countries. The EU’s top court also still has jurisdiction.

During the transition period, the EU and UK will negotiate new trade deals, as well as issues such as employment and environmental regulations.

If the UK fails to reach an agreement with the EU after the 11-month period, they will be subject to the automatic trade regulations set by the World Trade Organization.

Dr. Sean Kippin, lecturer in politics at the University of Stirling in Scotland, said of the UK and EU: “likely some kind of agreement will be reached which will prevent the UK from tumbling out on those terms, however even with an agreement Britain is likely to see slower rates of growth as businesses relocate to the continent and the EU begins to pursue policies which don’t take the UK’s economic needs into account.”

President Donald Trump has already brought up a potential trade deal between the United States and the UK, however the deal may come at an expense for the UK, according to Reuters.

Trump has already threatened to tax foreign-made cars, as well as put pressure on the UK to change drug prices and allow in more U.S. pharmaceuticals.

According to the London School of Economics and Political Science, the top two reasons selected by those who voted to leave the EU were concerned with Britain’s ability to act independently of other countries and immigration.

Despite the original urgency over immigration, it is ex-

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pected that the diversity of the UK will remain unchanged, as EU citizens have been granted the right to remain in the UK, and 3 million long term residents have already applied for UK citizenship.

“Future immigration policy—particularly once the UK’s future relationship with Europe is clarified—is likely to be more restrictive, certainly insofar as Europeans are concerned,” Kippin said. “The UK, in common with most Western capitalist nations, is facing a demographic problem, and the need for immigration to fill that gap as the ‘baby boomer’ generation retires will not go away.”

After a failed referendum in 2014 for Scottsh independence, Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon is pushing for a second vote after the party gained 11 seats in Westminster, according to The Guardian.

In the 2016 vote to leave the EU, Scotland voted 62% to remain in the EU, leaving many Scots feeling unheard and unrepresented by the English Westminster government.

“There has been a strong endorsement in this election of Scotland having a choice over our future; of not having to put up with a Conservative government we didn’t vote for and not having to accept life as a nation outside the EU,” Sturgeon said.

Although it is very likely that an independence referendum will be pushed, it is unclear if officials in Westminster will not grant the request for a vote.

“Undoubtedly, the SNP will place holding a referendum on independence in their manifesto in next year’s Scottish Parliament election,” Kippin said. “However, there is a very strong chance this is simply ignored, with the Tories pointing to the SNPs own statements that the 2014 referendum represented a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to vote for independence from the rest of the UK. Boris Johnson’s government has absolutely no incentive to do this, and will not wish to add another complicated, multifaceted and divisive issue to their in-tray.”

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

Brexit has also created conflict for Northern Ireland, whose trade with Ireland—an independent country since 1937—will be impacted by the new negotiations.

While Ireland remains part of the EU, Northern Ireland’s goods and services imports into the country may be subject to customs and tariffs. Previously, Northern Ireland’s border was part of a backstop, which created open trade between the two countries. Johnson has attempted to remove the backstop at the disapproval of the EU, according to BBC. Johnson has previously called the backstop “inconsistent with the sovereignty of the UK” and “undemocratic.”

Proponents of the backstop point to a concern for the resurgence of “the troubles,” a 30-year conflict over the status of Northern Ireland as a part of the UK. In the next election, Johnson is already facing competition from two Labour party members of Parliament Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy. Nandy has previously criticized former Labour party leader Jeramy Corbyn for his handling of Brexit.

The Guardian reported that in a speech, Nandy said, “You can either be for your country or for the world. And senior Labour politicians rushed headlong into it. It was a serious failure of leadership.”

Brexit has often been seen as a part of a global far-right movement, along with the election of Trump, the rise of the Part for Freedom in The Netherlands as well as Marine Le Pen’s popularity in France.

Although the outcome of the negotiations remains unclear, Johnson feels hopeful about the future of an independant UK. In a speech on Jan 31, Johnson said, “This is the dawn of a new era in which we no longer accept that your life chances—your family’s life chances—should depend on which part of the country you grow up in. This is the moment when we really begin to unite and level up.”

LETS TALK ABOUT BDSM: COMING OUT OF THE DUNGEON FINDOM AND PET PLAY FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS

QUEER VALENTINES DAY EVENTS NEON AND NUDE: PORTLAND’S STRIP CLUBS PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

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LOVE & SEX

HAS THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR

TARNISHED VALENTINE’S DAY?

10

BUDGET

ALEX WITTWER/PSU VANGUARD

ADIRA FREIGEIST As Valentine’s Day approaches, thoughts enter minds and contemplation ensues about whether the holiday celebrating love for others still represents that intention, or has it turned into another holiday that supports consumerism and capitalism?

All those cards, candies, flowers and jewelry add up—the National Retail Federation estimates, based on consumer surveys, that $20.7 billion will be spent in 2020 purchasing Valentine’s Day gifts for others, averaging out to $161.96 per person.

When asked whether the meaning of Valentine’s Day has been affected by capitalism, overwhelmingly the answer was yes.

However, is the perception driven by age, gender, and culture, or does the opinion cross identities?

Christine Kloser, a 68-year-old retired nurse from Canby, Ore. said that “Valentine’s Day is getting too commercialized and has lost a lot of it’s meaning, which should be an expression of love or friendship between two people, family or others.” When asked if her experience celebrating the holiday has shifted over the years, she stated that it “is definitely more commercialized now.”

As a young adult, would the sentiment align, or would there be differing reasons? Savannah Lutz, a 20-year-old student from Eugene, Ore. was asked what her views were on capitalism and Valentine’s Day. Her focus immediately centered on “the large amount of advertisements, displays at stores and amount of products that aren’t directly connected to showing

A ROMANTIC MEAL ON A

your love for someone. For example, decorations [and] pet products.”

Do the effects of capitalism cross cultures, or is this a phenomenon attributed solely to the United States? Massimo Guillory, a 32-yearold man originally from the capitalist country of Morocco, told a story of how “the day of love” is celebrated and affected by the pressure that comes from capitalism and family honor.

In Morocco, “teen boys and young adult men sometimes cannot afford valentines, and they think that their loved ones will look at them as [being] less. Because they are poor, their mothers take the lines to get flour, sugar, oil and tea, often covering their faces because they are embarrassed, and it shames their family. The pressure is so high for these boys and men that they steal sugar and oil from their families to sell so they can buy their girlfriend a valentine.”

When asked whether the value of the item was of importance, Guillory said, “If the girl buys her boyfriend a more expensive gift, then the man feels ashamed and required to make up for not spending enough money on her.”

Does the expression of love now have a price tag attached to it? Or is Valentine’s Day still representative of love and appreciation for those in our life that we care about? As people go about their day, showing affection towards one another in the smallest of ways, the choice to celebrate Valentine’s Day may provide some with a reason to do more than the ordinary, as an expression of love can take infinite forms.

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

ZUCHINNIS AND SQUASH MAKE EXCELLENT SWEET AND JUICY PAIRINGS TO THE TENDER CHICKEN. MARK DEYOUNG/UNSPLASH TERI WALTERS It’s that time of year again; love is in the air, romance is on the horizon and expectations are high. Everyone wants to please their partner, but no one wants to shell out cash they don’t have.

Perfect solution? Make a romantic meal! Here are a couple easy options that will not only have your partner swooning but make your wallet happy.

This baked chicken dish is called Everything but the Sink! Sounds a little wacky, but it leaves room for the chef to make substitutions to taste.

It can be made with as little as two pans and tastes like hours of effort went in.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cloves of garlic • 12 cherry tomatoes • 3–4 large kale leaves • 2 chicken breasts • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 pinch sea salt • 2 pinches ground pepper • Your choice of vegetables (suggested: onion, broccoli, bell peppers and snow peas) • Your choice of herbs (suggested: thyme, basil or oregano) What’s great about these ingredients is that a lot of them can be whatever you already have on hand for produce. If you have to buy all the ingredients, the cost could be as little as $23.

PREP

Preheat the oven to 375°. The garlic needs to be smashed, peeled and chopped, tomatoes halved and kale leaves cut into thin ribbons.

Rub 1 tsp of salt all over the chicken.

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat a large pan on the stove over medium to medium-high heat. Once hot, add olive oil and then the chicken. Let sear for about 3 minutes, then flip and let sear for another 3 minutes.

With about 1 minute left in the second sear, add garlic. When finished, remove from heat.

Move the chicken to an oven-safe dish. Add kale, tucking the leaves under the chicken, then surround the chicken with your choice of veggies and tomatoes. Sprinkle salt over the whole pan and do the same with the pepper. Let the mixture bake for 30–40 minutes.

Once removed, sprinkle your herb mixture over the meal.

Now you have a tasty meal that’s worthy of the romantic night you and your partner are about to share. If this doesn’t sound like enough food, add pasta, potatoes or even grits!

Recipe adapted from Brooklyn Supper, Chef Elizabeth.

LOVE & SEX

DEAR LOVER,

A THOUSAND MILES AWAY

THE CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS OF LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS IDA AYU KARINA DWIJAYANTI

BRANDON PAHNISH

ROMANTIC

BUILDINGS

Valentine’s Day is approaching; are you going to spend it with your lover or are you going to listen to sad songs in the bathroom, wishing you were with that special someone?

International students, this one’s for you.

I know you’re probably thousands and thousands of miles away from home, must be tough right? What’s even tougher is if you’re also that far away from your partner who’s back home while all of your friends are busy spending that special day with their significant others.

Long distance relationships are not for everyone—there are a lot of obstacles to face in order for it to work. One of those obstacles is trust issues. You’re already so far away from your partner, and if you don’t trust that person, the long distance relationship is going to be even more difficult. It’s not like you can just book a plane ticket every time you want to make sure they’re not cheating on you. That’s why if you want to be in a relationship with someone, you need to

FELIPE FLORES Romance is said to be momentary, but love is progressive and dynamic—love is in it for the long haul. Finding that thermal capacity in a person, place or thing is not something that is found without effort, however.

To unchain that warmth, knowing it will only brighten for those who know what they are looking for, is immense. Although that sentiment can apply to a variety of things, it is especially true about architecture.

While romanticism in architecture generally refers to the 19th century European ‘revivalist’ and Eastern-influenced styles, it can also be reflective of the attitude a building exudes through its stance, through the sequence of its spaces—helping guide you to paths unseen from the peripheral, or its depth of connection to its environment.

A perfect example of this takes us to India to explore the archetype of romantic buildings, the Taj Mahal. Its underlying tone echoes, drifting from room to room and space to space while simultaneously encompassing the architectural craft and natural resources of its time.

TAJ MAHAL

COURTESY OF JULIAN YU/UNSPLASH

trust them first. Why would you date someone who you can’t trust, right?

Another reason why long distance relationships are hard is the fact that sometimes you want someone who’s not just there for you, but someone who is physically there with you. Thank goodness for our current era—now we have Facetime and Skype! We can see their faces everytime we miss them, but is that enough?

Unfortunately, there are these things called time zones. We can’t just call them every single time we miss them. We need to make sure they’re not in class or sleeping. This can become a major issue when one person in that relationship is sacrificing their time more in order to Facetime the other person.

Long distance relationships can be a blessing in disguise too. They can teach people to be more independent and trustworthy. Plus, it teaches you to value someone more and to make every moment count!

The postcard picture of the Taj Mahal or “Crown Palace” alone doesn’t serve justice to its legend, but if made on the right heavy-weight card stock, in the right color with a simple message of love and affection, you’ll increase your chances for a memorable impact on those who receive it.

As one of the most well preserved and architecturally alluring tombs in the world, it is best described by the English poet Sir Edwin Arnold as, “Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love—wrought in living stones.”

Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 as a tomb for his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal—who died giving birth to their 14th child—this marble domed tribute flanked by four tapering minarets lies on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra. The death of his queen devastated the Emperor, such that within a few months of her passing, all of his hair is said to have grown snow white.

Under the guidance of architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, with construction spread across 22-years, a group of 20,000 artisans and 1,000 elephants were able to amass this collection of “living stones.”

As a symbol of eternal love and a monument of enduring love, the Taj Mahal reveals its subtleties slowly. Its symmetrical footprint frames beautiful oblique views from every angle; its main gate can manifest itself into a veil—allowing one to see without being seen, and its decorative pishtaq arches hone the eye toward its calligraphy script, epitomizing the emperor’s love in written words.

With its marble façade acting as its backdrop, this mausoleum is even said to change colors throughout the day and during the seasons. Most notably, it flares pinkish tones in the morning and is milky white in the evening and at night. It gleams when the glow of the moon hits its inlaid stones. These changes, both tonal and harmonious, knit effortlessly with the building’s romanticism—impacting not only its environment but the well-being of those who spectate upon it.

When architecture can transcend its physical anatomy, like that of the Taj Mahal, it makes clear that the best designs are those that have a depth to its meaning. Creating an intangible connection with society and triggering an internal chemical synapse leading one to think, “I need to see this again.”

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

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LOVE & SEX

Valentine’s Day

Movies

Have yourself a very queer-y

valentine’s

COURTESY OF STEAM PORTLAND

Four perfect movies for your last-minute Valentine’s Day date

COURTESY OF IMDB

JULIANA BIGELOW Traditional Valentine’s day plans can be expensive and time consuming to carry out, but there is a classic option fit for everyone’s budget and schedules: a movie. Portland has a rich film scene, offering options for every taste.

Here are the top four movies to see in Portland this Valentine’s Day.

Talking About Trees Portland Community College Cascade, 7 p.m.

If you and your Valentine aren’t fans of romantic movies, this film is for you! Talking About Trees follows four members of the Sundanese Film Club, who make it their mission to open a theater in the city of Omdourman. However, the country has been dominated by militant Islamists making the existence of cinema scarce. The group uses whatever means necessary to bring film history back to the people of Sudan, but quickly run into censorship. The film is free of charge and is running as part of the 30th Annual Cascade Festival of African Films. For more information visit the festival’s website https://www.africanfilmfestival.org.

The Photograph Multiple showtimes and theaters

From screenwriter and director Stella Meghie comes a special Valentine’s Day release. The Photograph follows Mae Morton, the daughter of Christina Eames, a photographer who has unexpectedly passed away. After her passing Mae begins to search for details of her mother’s early life but meets journalist Michael Block. The two have an instant spark and are lifted off of their

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There’s something poetic about being queer and alone on Valentine’s Day: a mixture of melancholy and pure chance that come together to make sure you’re sitting on your hands all day waiting for love, a working or out-of-town spouse or just a need to get out and do something.

But that’s enough of that! There are plenty of events on or around Valentine’s Day for you to enjoy.

feet in a swirling romance. You can watch the official trailer on YouTube and find ticket information by visiting the movie’s page on Regal Cinemas’ website.

Casablanca in Concert Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m.

The Oregon Symphony will accompany one of Hollywood’s most romantic films, Casablanca.

Scored by Max Steiner, a father of modern film music, this classic follows Rick Blaine as he must choose between his love for Isla, one of his former lovers, and helping her and her current husband as they try to escape to America during World War II. This special performance is one night only and will be directed by Norman Huynh. Ticket information can be found on the event’s page on the Oregon Symphony’s website, https://www.orsymphony.org.

Ganja & Hess 5th Avenue Cinema, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Are you and your date into horror, or do you just want to stay close to campus? Portland State’s student-run theater 5th Avenue Cinema will have two Valentine’s evening screenings of Ganja & Hess, a 1973 experimental horror classic. The film, written and directed by Bill Gunn, follows Dr. Hess Green, who becomes a vampire after his assistant stabs him with an ancient cursed dagger. While under the curse, Green falls in love with his assistant, who learns one of his dark secrets. For more information visit the movie’s page on 5th Avenue’s website: http://www.5thavecinema.com.

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

TEMPORARY LESBIAN BAR

There are many stereotypes about queer women, but the only one that’s true is their love of getting there early and leaving before the rush. In that respect, Feb. 13’s Temporary Lesbian Bar at Mississippi Pizza is a great way for women of all identities and presentations to cut loose and get home before the big Valentine’s Day rush.

Location: 3552 N Mississippi, Portland.

Age: 18+ before 9 p.m., 21+ after.

LET’S GET HORN-Y WHO’S A GOOD PET? YOU ARE

Pet and Handler (PAH) organization is holding the last stop of their NW Tour right here in Portland on Valentine’s Day weekend! Come bark, wag, mosh and bark some more with all the other pets and handlers at a variety of events from a bar meet and greet to a panel on disability in the pet community.

When: Feb. 14–15.

Location: Varies.

Age: 21+ for social and mosh.

Facebook pages: @nwpahorg / @pdxpah

LET’S GET STEAM-Y

Steam Portland opened 17 years ago, so this Valentine’s Day weekend it’s going to be a big blowout! Come get wet in the hot tub, watch some hot go-go dancers and get some swag while you fuck. No membership? No problem! Memberships are half off for this special event!

When: Feb. 14.

Location: 2885 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland.

Age: 18+ Note: Steam Portland requires an M or Male marker on identification cards

Beaux Banks is one of those names that if you know, you know. Starring in such films as Dirty Doctor, The DILF Diaries and more, Banks will be bringing his copious talents and sense of rhythm to Stag PDX for this year’s Valentine’s Gay Party. Will there be nudity? You can bank on it.

Location: 317 NW Broadway, Portland.

Age: 21+

FUCKBOIS GALORE

Drag kings get their time to shine at Kelly’s Olympian on Valentine’s Day at The Haus Phenomenon’s Heart Breakers show. Come watch excellence in action as Apollo Indigo leads a troupe of kings in celebrating all those flirty dirty men in our lives.

When: Feb. 13, 8 p.m.

Location: 426 SW Washington, Portland.

Age: 21+

DRAG ME, POISON WATERS

Portland Legend Poison Waters serenades, schmoozes and celebrates Valentine’s Day at this year’s Valentine’s Day Doesn’t Have to be a Drag event at Hi-Lo Hotel. The free champagne will be chilled, but the tea will be hot!

When: Feb. 14, 4:45–7 p.m.

Location: 320 SW Harvey Milk, Portland.

Age: 21+

LOVE & SEX

Highs

The

&

lows of

dating

ANNA LECLERC Going on a date is all fun and games, so why is it so difficult? Like Forrest Gump said, “you never know what you’re gonna get.” This is especially true now with the multitude of dating apps people have access to. It can be overwhelming even choosing which apps to use.

In addition, not everyone’s personality—and image—is transparent online, which makes dating even more of an uncertainty. Someone may look really nice online but could end up being a total jerk in person.

Dating is all in the name of putting yourself out there. Maybe you’re looking for a relationship, and maybe you’re not. Whatever the case may be, dating is rooted in first impressions, which can be really challenging. First impressions are especially hard when you don’t know what you’re looking for, and they are even harder when you don’t know yourself and how you come off to people.

A good rule of thumb is to date yourself before you date anyone else. It’s important to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t, especially when it comes to personality, ambitions, opinions, perspectives and—of course— compatibility. Identify the difference between what intrigues you and what makes you uncomfortable and what kind of boundaries you want or already have. Above all else, do not date potential. Giving someone the benefit of the doubt can only go so far.

Even though my own dating life is in its infancy, one thing I know for certain is that the setting of the date doesn’t determine how well the date is going to go. For example, the worst date that I have ever been on was actually at one of my favorite bars in Portland called The Elvis Room. I chose to go to this place because they have great cocktails, antique artwork and furniture and a unique ambiance. I had also gone on some dates there before, and they had turned out pretty well for my standards at the time.

BRANDON PAHNISH

As soon as I got there, the guy seemed a little too relaxed for a first date. He was in a great mood: really happy to be there and happy to talk to me, giving me high fives every other sentence—which irritated me to no end. He also expressed great enthusiasm when asking me to go to other bars with him later. After sitting and talking for about 20 minutes, I could tell he had way too much to drink, which to me is a giant red flag. That’s when I knew it was my cue to make up a fake emergency and call a Lyft.

Oddly enough, the best date that I have ever been on was in a similar setting. We met on a dating app and decided to meet up at a bar. But this time, we were both sober enough to enjoy the date. The guy was really nice and we both listened to what the other person had to say, never having awkward silence or dull conversation. And that’s when I realized it doesn’t matter where you go; all that matters is how it goes. What made this a “good” date wasn’t the location, it was the person. We had similar

values, different perspectives and a lot to talk about when it came to life experiences.

I decided that I didn’t want to pursue the guy beyond the first date, due to us being in very different stages in our lives, but I still really enjoyed the date itself. In the world of dating, we’re all just trying to figure it out. The best thing to do is have a little faith and see where things go. It may or may not turn into something very worthwhile. Pick someone who reflects how awesome you are and go for it.

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

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LOVE & SEX

SINGLES’ GUIDE SURVIVAL

SOPHIE CONCANNON

What’s the best thing about being single on Valentine’s Day? For one, you don’t need to make a dinner reservation weeks in advance or freak out when you realize you forgot to do just that.

For another, instead of shelling out 80 bucks for mediocre ravioli at the most expensive restaurant in the downtown area, you can go down to the local Safeway and buy yourself 30 bucks worth of pure garbage. Your stomach might regret it, but your heart will thank you. Without judgment, shame or the pressure of pretending to know what a “dry wine” is, here’s a twist on three Valentine’s classics that you can make into an all-you-can-eat extravaganza for one.

CHEESE

ALEX WITTWER/PSU VANGUARD

The single person’s cheese is not a $14 hunk of Gouda or squishy French cheese that’s impossible to pronounce. The single person’s cheese is a frozen pizza decked in meat or veggies. It’s probably been sitting in your freezer for months—now is that pizza’s time to shine. The single person’s cheese could also be dumping an entire packet of shredded cheddar into a pot of Kraft mac and cheese. Try it and tell me it doesn’t beat almost any meal ever made.

CHOCOLATE

This Valentine’s Day, make your true love the earth. Instead of splurging for Godiva truffles or, worse, a heart-shaped box of cardboard chocolates from the drugstore, buy yourself some fair trade chocolate at a local shop. By making cocoa farming more sustainable and contributing to ethical labor, you can both do a good thing and feel superior to your friends spending their evenings with their significant others. Alternatively, splurge on some homemade chocolate at the local farmer’s market in the Park Blocks. In this case, sharing isn’t caring.

Keep that shit to yourself.

WINE

Let’s face it—if you’re single, quality wine is not in your future.

Going to a wine tasting alone is akin to torture, and any bottle of wine old enough to vote comes with a price tag of a similar caliber. Instead of resigning yourself to boxed booze this Valentine’s season, learn how to ferment your own instead.

Learn how to make fruit wine and you’ll not only teach yourself a new skill, you won’t sacrifice your taste buds to the gods of Franzia. Instead, you can enjoy a nice blueberry or apple wine in just a few months. Alternatively, if you don’t want to wait that long, mix some fruit punch with box wine and add some ice cubes for class. It’ll taste exactly the same.

CELEBRATING LOVE WITHOUT

A

ADIRA FREIGEIST Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love for those you care about. It takes many forms, and the act of choosing to celebrate at all is a personal one. Imagine though, being surrounded by hearts and flowers as couples exchange kisses while holding hands and stare longingly into each other’s eyes, when the closest thing you have to a relationship is snuggling with your cat.

What if you are recently divorced or widowed? Do you sit on your couch crying and wishing that life were different, or do you make the most of the day, dedicating it to loving yourself and honoring what you bring to the world around you? As more people are choosing to remain single around the world, maybe it’s time for single people to take back Valentine’s Day, redefine it and use it to remind the world that they are equally as loved and valued as those who are partnered.

So often we choose to put others before ourselves, sacrificing our well-being for our work, neighbors, community organizations or places of worship. When was the last time you did something for yourself without feeling any guilt or believing you should be doing something productive rather than caring for yourself? In a culture that values money, consumerism and power, it is hard to accept that it is okay and beneficial for us, as individuals, to take time for ourselves and do nothing.

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PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

BRANDON PAHNISH

PARTNER

As a single person, Valentine’s Day has been handed to you as a gift—if you choose to see it that way. As everyone else is waiting in long lines to be seated at overpriced restaurants or going into debt spending more money on a gift for their partner, you get to do exactly what you want to do and when you wish to do it.

If dancing in the living room like nobody is watching brings you joy, then put on your favorite song and dance away! If you’re into reading books by a warm fire while drinking a glass of wine, go out and treat yourself to a new book and a pricier than typical bottle of wine, while reminding yourself that you are worth it. If you have friends who are also single, plan an adult slumber party, play games, listen to tunes from your teen years and watch movies that scare you to pieces.

If you are recently divorced or widowed, being alone has good reason to feel difficult. Offer yourself some compassion.

Consider paying tribute to the person you lost by celebrating their life and all they loved in it. If you have children, create new memories and traditions that acknowledge the parent they lost while also showing them that Valentine’s Day is what you make of it.

Whatever it is that brings you joy, know that you don’t have to be partnered to experience all that life has to offer. Being single on Valentine’s Day can be amazing if you are courageous enough to make of it what you wish.

LOVE & SEX

HOW TO HAVE A ROMANTIC VALENTINE’S DAY WHEN YOU’RE FAR FROM YOUR LOVE :

WWE EDITION

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

EMMA SAGE We’ll all be here at some point: your significant other is unavoidably somewhere far from you on Valentine’s Day. While many of us spend the holiday torn between cynicism at the commercialization of love and grudging appreciation for the romantic opportunities that it presents, for those of us in long-distance relationships or those temporarily apart, Valentine’s presents a real opportunity to connect with your other half, express or reaffirm your love.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said it perfectly: “If I love you, I show you I love you every day. Little things, big things.” With that in mind, here are my suggestions for how to bring the romance of the day into your hearts, if not your bodies:

OBVIOUSLY, TALK TO THEM

As John Cena so wisely said, “A relationship is based on communication.” They may be hiding under a rock on the furthest corner of the earth, but when they rejoin the land of technology, seeing that you left them a sweet voicemail on Valentine’s Day will definitely pluck the heartstrings. If you want to go beyond a classic profession of love, consider reading them a passage from a book or poem that touched you, or made you think of them.

THINGS RELATED TO THINGS THEY LIKE

The Miz said “WWE is my first love,” and I think a lot of us can relate to that. Sometimes the thing keeping you two apart is their passion: your partner could be a traveling circus performer, a flight attendant, a Green Beret on a mission or an international

spy, for all I know. Or maybe you’re the one who left to go to university, which is cool too. My point is, if you feel that your passions are pulling you apart, then find ways to enjoy and appreciate them together. The flight attendant can bring you souvenirs from abroad, the Green Beret can show you that clip of Bruce Wayne getting trapped in his burning house and say, “I would totally be able to get you out of this hypothetical situation,” and you as a university student can assure your partner that once you pay off your student debt, you will be able to afford a very nice tandem rocking chair for the two of you in retirement. Let your passions bring you closer, not tear you apart.

USE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES AND/OR TIMING TO BRIDGE THE GAP

We all know how to Skype, FaceTime and video call, but that’s not enough for sharing experiences together. Try Netflix Party to watch shows and movies together, or really put in the time and send them an “open when” letter. “Everyone wants to win.

But to truly succeed—whether it is at a sport or at your job or in life—you have to be willing to do the hard work, overcome the challenges, and make the sacrifices it takes to be the best at what you do.” –Ronda Rousey

OR WAIT UNTIL YOU’RE TOGETHER AGAIN TO CELEBRATE

If you don’t get a lot of time with each other, or even if you do, you should seriously consider making this an extra-special mo-

ment. If you’re of the tux-wearing disposition, put on a damn tux, because in the immortal words of The Miz, “I can’t believe people would ever wear shorts.” Put on a dress for the occasion, or regal formal wear of a different kind. Skip the cliched bouquet, try some fancy cooking or even make homemade bread. Whatever you can do to create a special moment.

I’M GOING TO WORD THIS VERY CAREFULLY…

Physical distance does not always equal a total lack of some form of physical intimacy, to be decided between the participating parties, complying with domestic and international laws governing the use of various platforms, technologies and airwaves, as well as the rules or specific platforms or corporations that provide communication services, and above all the good judgement of all parties implicated in any decisions relating to the transmission of sensitive material or information through the use of technology. If I was unclear, however: “Wake up determined. Go to bed satisfied.” –Dwayne Johnson

BONUS ROUND

If this wasn’t gritty enough for you, one of the best ways to show love is through self-reflection. Nothing inspires more feelings of love than someone saying unprompted, “you know, I really hear you on [not washing that dish/not calling when I said I would/not using punctuation in texts], and I’m working to change this. Thank you for the ways in which you inspire me to be the best version of myself.”

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

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LOVE & SEX

A GIANT OF MA

SEX WORK

AND ME

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PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

LOVE & SEX

ANY FEET: AJ EARL “Hey, you wanna go hang out and get some food?” the guy asked, leaning out of his car. I’d been sitting on a stair for quite a while by then, fairly frustrated at my inability to pay rent or buy food, too proud to go ask my grandparents for some cash.

His offer was pretty nice, so I said yes to him.

We hung out and chatted in the parking lot, and when we were done with that he dropped some money on the floor. It wasn’t enough for rent, but it was surprisingly close.

I looked at the money, then back at him. Instead of quietly taking the money and leaving, I asked, bills in hand, “I thought we were getting food?”

The next time someone offered me a ride, to hang out, I learned I had specific qualities that were attractive to wouldbe customers: big feet, loud voice, pushy attitude. The result was a marketable resume of erotic services that were generally not on offer in a somewhat conservative city like my hometown. Thanks to the internet, I was able to advertise generally safely. My only dangerous experience being what I thought to be a genuine date, not even a meeting, that led to me being held captive for several days.

“I’M A FOOT DOM”

A lot of sex workers will tell you that we don’t have sex for money; we merely provide companionship and services, and as a result, that can often lead to sex for some. In most cases, however, the goal is to share a part of yourself as a companion, friend, or in some cases, a teacher. I’ve never accepted money for sex, but I’ve been in the position of a giant for hire and a Sir. While the popular image of sex work is of hooking on the streets, of police busts and hustlers in seedy bars, my experience has been far less scandalous. My approach involved asking—no, telling—guys online for a foot massage. Pictures of my feet, long-focus with my face behind. I was discreet and professional. Almost every situation quickly resulted in a guy lustily offering to massage my feet with his tongue.

Nobody got off, and I got paid.

One day, an email came in, and the sender said my photos made me look like a giant. He went on and on, asking me about what I would do if I were a giant, if I’d eat tinies, slang for normal-sized people or those that have been shrunk, and generally stroking my ego online. “So, are you a giant?” he asked, expectantly.

“No, I’m a foot dom.”

Undeterred, he asked me to come help him crush some boxes for pay. The job itself was clearly the easiest I’d been asked to do, but it was also exciting. I admitted to myself that I’d looked at a lot of photo edits of giants, so this guy didn’t seem so strange.

Walking into his home, I saw immediately three neat rows of boxes, each carefully drawn on to look like buildings. “Okay,” I told myself, “he wasn’t so strange, but he was still strange.”

“I want to be your prey—find me,” he said, ducking behind a box. “How tall are you, how big?”

“500 feet tall,” I said, feigning a roar that was more like a growly “rawr.”

Filming me, he crawled around the box buildings as I smashed them, kicking tiny cars that hurt to step on. At one point he threw a toy plane at me. It was a frenetic rampage through his small city, all the while he taunted me to catch him.

When I finally caught him we hugged for a solid minute before he gave me a kiss on the cheek and grabbed his camera to review the footage. I never took off my clothes, although I did remove my shoes and socks.

Money was on the counter by his door.

IT’S HONEST WORK

I would never in my life compare myself more approvingly to other sex workers, not knowing what I know now. Before I’d joke about being paid to crush boxes or step on guys’ faces, married dads with a secret love of the feet of other men, a guy who just wanted to buy my shoes and see me leave his hotel barefoot. Just for fun, I’d say, not for sex. Yet, my generation and those after mine are increasingly open to sex work, dancing at clubs, sending erotic photos, signing up for sites like OnlyFans or JustForFans.

If we own our bodies, have bodily autonomy, then sex work should be legal. When people are made into outlaws or criminals, sex work becomes a breeding ground for criminal activity. Those of us who do fetish work with no expectation of sex are always at risk of assault by ashamed men and those who prey on the ashamed, by cops who use strict laws as pretext for attacks.

When I was 21, a man met me online and asked to hang out.

He was strange, waving me through at a porn theater by saying “he’s with me,” talking about how young I looked, before finally driving me to the middle of the desert outside of Phoenix to make a move. “How old are you,” he asked. I told him. “No, how old are you, really, kid.” I told him I wasn’t interested, but he still persisted. He finally said “we can always drop you off at your parents’ house and they can find out you’re a slut” before handing me $40.

We didn’t have sex, and in his frustration he said I was lucky I didn’t get turned in for going into a 21+ venue.

I pulled out my ID and showed him my age and his aggression died down. He made small talk and drove me home. He was right in assuming that I’d be ashamed, my face red for the next two days as my mother plied me for information with promises of going out for milkshakes or coffee to talk about what happened. She knew.

FINALLY,

I’m no better than any other sex worker, even when I say I don’t have sex for money.

I honestly don’t. It’s not something I’ve done, and yet, if we acknowledge that erotic dancing is sex work, sending nudes for compensation is sex work, then stepping on guys or pretending I’m hundreds of feet tall is also sex work.

I fulfill fantasies for men who long to be lost to a headspace that has them small, insignificant and overpowered.

Others have fantasies of the swaying hips of the unattainable dancer or long for the person in the photo that was made just for them.

Sex work is still work, after all.

If you are a sex worker that is looking for support, local SWOP organizations are here to help. In Portland, Stroll PDX has resources for you at http://www.strollpdx.org/sexworker-support-group.

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LOVE & SEX

let’s talk about

BDSM

Coming out of the dungeon

to start a conversation

BRANDON PAHNISH

HANNA ANDERSON

Listen—we need to talk about kink.

It’s 2020, so we’ve certainly started talking about it more than before. Fifty Shades of Grey, for all it’s faults, plastered BDSM on the big screen. There’s an annual kink festival held in Portland every year. Now it’s printed in your school paper.

When love is in the air, it’s an excuse to talk about kink more openly. But what about every other day of the year? Does everyone sud-

denly brandish their cuffs and their crops on the 14th, only to be shoved in the nightstand drawer for the rest of the year?

Kink does not stop as soon as we throw out the chocolates and heart candies. The conversation shouldn’t either.

DAMNED IF YOU DO

Don’t kinkshame me, bro.

While conversations over kink are still stig-

matized, jokes about kink are still funny and socially acceptable, so long as the joke reinforces the stigma, perpetuating how taboo kink is in society.

See Saturday Night Live’s episode, with Fifty Shades of Grey actress Dakota Johnson hosting following the release of the movie. The show was granted the opportunity to present kink on screen, and what they present was a person, in full latex attire, clearing standing out among the audience they were sitting in.

They stood to ask a question, first a political one, until they corrected themselves to ask a humorously inappropriate question on kink.

The character was framed as someone who is strange, the odd one out of the otherwise normal audience when kink may not be so strange at all. While the results of studies and surveys on how many people are into kink in their spare time vary wildly, none of them are particularly small. A survey done by the condom company Durex found that 35% of people use bondage tools, while one done by erotic retailer Ann Summers, in the United Kingdom, found that 75% person have a fetish. One research paper paper on BDSM stigma cited studies with results ranging between 14% of American men having practiced S&M and 65% of Canadians have fantasies of being tied up.

However, regardless of the number who enjoy BDSM in secret, we will never be able to tell who else in the room is into it—both because people generally don’t announce it with a latex get up on the daily, and because the presiding social stigma imposes too much of a social risk to out oneself.

The misconceptions against BDSM are not without serious consequences. A 2008 study

Findom

for

AJ EARL

HAVE A PERSONA

Most findom(me)s have a persona, whether it’s as a “Cashmaster” or “Cashmistress,” the “straight alpha,” the “goddess,” or what have you. You can pick any of these or you can make your own—just make sure it evokes an idea of superiority.

KNOW THE HASHTAGS

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DAMNED IF YOU DON’T

Why would kink be the hill that anybody is willing to die on? Talking about kink carries a serious amount of social risk, for little personal reward.

For one, starting the dialogue is the first step to correcting the stigma and the discrimination. After all, how’s it going to get solved if we can’t even acknowledge it freely? Saying nothing at all may help those numbers, but not for the right reasons.

It’s nearly impossible to find others with similar interests if you’re silent on this—and when kink generally requires at least one other person to happen, that can quash the opportunity to participate at all. While it is possible to attend BDSM specific events and businesses (like Catalyst, here in Portland; their events are fabulous if you have the transportation) it can still be difficult to find a community of like-minded people when it’s relegated to the shadows.

And there is another reason. It’s a profound one—radical even. It’s one I’m sure you’ve never heard before, but because it is still so hard to seriously discuss kink, lean in closely.

You’re going to want to hear this.

Because it’s fun. It’s an exhilarating time.

At the end of the day, you are not a hose.

Whatever kinks you’ve got don’t need to be straightened out for you to function.

absolute beginners

Financial Domination, or findom for short, is the purposeful attempt to demand money from submissives that thrill on being made to give up something important to someone they view as better. Findoms and Findommes have a fairly straightforward manner of conducting themselves but with this simple guide you can learn the tricks of the trade.

BRANDON PAHNISH

done by the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom found that 26% of their participants had experienced discrimination based on their interest in BDSM, ranging from harrassment on the internet, losing a job, to losing custody of a child.

Most of findom is done online, and as a result there are a few hashtags you should know. Using #findom, #cashmaster, #sugarbaby will be a sure way to identify yourself. Asking for a #humanatm or #paypig will let would-be financiers know you’re serious.

HAVE THE LOOK

Findom isn’t a trend that has a standard look, but some looks are more popular. For those who identify as male, showing feet or sweaty socks, a cocky middle finger and spitting at the camera is a sure signal to paypigs. For those women in the audience, a pouty face, a picture of your shoe collection and no smile tells your human ATMs who’s boss.

KNOW WHAT TO ASK FOR

Are you demanding chastity? Do you want to be paid for however many replies and retweets your post gets online? Knowing the terms of worship from your sugar daddy is the key.

TAKE YOURSELF SERIOUSLY, SORTA

Finally, make sure your persona does not bleed into your day-to-day life as that will reduce your chances of giving it your all when asked to be worshipped. You may be a cashmaster online, but you’re still you with your friends.

LOVE & SEX

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PUPPY:

PET PLAY FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS

PUP ASTERIUS People are abuzz about the growing popularity of pet play, a decades-old kink that has moved from bedrooms to social spaces and from sexy power play to social mixers and dance parties. There’s more to pet play than muzzles, hoods, handlers and bridles, and the overwhelming amount of information on the internet opens a wide range of ways you can get into the scene.

To begin with, pet play is a thing between human adults of any gender, and specifically a power dynamic and way for people to lose themselves in a specific headspace. As a pet, you take on aspects of that particular animal, so ponies can clip clop and tow carts, puppies beg and bark and kitties will roll around with yarn. There are moshes, races, snuggle sessions, mixers, dances and more. Social structures become readily apparent within these spaces but a human pet can always choose to go solo.

TERMINOLOGY

Let’s come at this from a puppy perspective to get a feel for the scene.

A pup, human puppy, doggo, whatever they (we) choose to refer to themselves as, is often, but not always, accompanied by a handler, a human companion that trains and aids the headspace in the pup. A headspace, the term borrowed from BDSM, is the idea of losing yourself completely to the persona of the pup. In a strong headspace, you will bark, play with toys, beg and present yourself for social feedback that you find positive. Not every pup will have a fully formed headspace, but almost every pup has that moment when they feel like they’re becoming a puppy.

Pups, then, are social creatures, even if their social circle exists strictly online.

Naturally, when you feel like you’re becoming a puppy, there’s the all-important aspect of identifying yourself.

Certainly there’s the idea of a generic dog persona, but most puppies have a fully formed concept of who or what they are. With the advent of online dogspotting groups there has arisen a robust language of reference. Big dogs are boofers, small dogs can be puppers, and almost every puppy is a doggo. Shoobs, shibes, corgos and other subsets abound in the world of pups.

As a couple of these terms imply, many pups take on a breed as their own. Asterius is a corgi, but there are many other breeds, real and imagined, that puppies assume as their identity.

Puppies are social animals, so in Pet and Handler groups, puppies and handlers chat amongst themselves and coordinate events. Most important for puppies is the mosh, essentially a padded space where pups can romp, play or even just hang out watching the crowd. Handlers will watch pups to ensure there’s no rowdy behavior that makes the other puppies uncomfortable, with especially good pups getting treats and scritches.

GEAR

Coming from the BDSM scene, pets have a wide variety of gear for play, both social and sexual. Turning once again to pups, this gear can range from the iconic hoods and mitts, bodysuits and tails. Tails can be show tails, attached to a belt, or plugs, attached to, well, a puppy’s kegel strength.

Controversial, gear is often seen as limiting access to pups of limited means, but this should not be the case. Pup gear shouldn’t limit your ability to be a puppy. Hoods alone can cost well over $150, and more complicated gear can be many times that amount. All told, a fully outfitted pup can spend well over $1,000 on just a basic set of gear. It’s a major barrier, and as a result, pups should be told that they’re still a good doggo if they don’t have a hood or if their mitts are just a layer of socks around their hands.

BECOMING A PET

If you’re feeling your inner puppy, pony, kitty or other pet, and you want to be social, then looking for a PAH organization or online group is the fastest and easiest first step. In Portland, PDX PAH (http://pdxpah.com) would be your first stop, and their events (see our Queer VD Events list in this issue for example) are a great way to immerse yourself in the scene. Inclusive of all pets, PDX PAH has open arms (or paws) for your puppy, kitty, pony or other persona. For puppy info, http:// pupplay.info can offer you a great deal of information on the scene and directories and links to help expand your understanding. Ponies find a great home at http:// cpony.com. For other resources related to pets, googling can offer a great deal of resources for you and your inner animal.

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FICTIONAL CHARACTERS

AND HOW TO LOVE THEM HANNA ANDERSON

Valentine’s Day is all about love and passion: a day we all remember to celebrate that special someone in our lives. But let’s be real—who said that special someone had to be real?

For most people, someone being fictional would be a dealbreaker; For fangirls and boys, it’s a detail. While the characters may not exist, the feelings fans hold for them definitely do. So if you find yourself without a Valentine this particular year, have no fear—let's take this chance to celebrate our fantasy flings.

BOARDING THE SHIP: WHY ARE WE LIKE THIS?

When you’ll never walk down the aisle with your select fantasy paramour, never file joint taxes with them, never spend eternity pushing up daisies in burial plots next to each other, it’s easy to write fangirling off as a waste of time. The mere mention of “fangirl” might trigger images of fanatic ferver, kissing posters and clutching body pillows. For some, fangirling is a phase best left behind in middle or high school, lest it’s cringe-worthiness follow us to college.

But there’s a common defense in the discussion over fangirling online: If it is socially acceptable to swoon over sports teams, celebrating their achievements and lamenting their defeats, why is it not the same for fandom? Any hobby, in excess, can be harmful. Wine is fine, but too much leads to alcoholism; chocolate is fabulous, but enough of it will rot your teeth out. And like a choice cheese, fangirling only gets better with age. Adulthood only leaves us time to enjoy the best parts of fanning and is as good an excuse as any to indulge in some escapism.

NOW REVEL IN THIS SINKING SHIP: HOW TO FANGIRL THIS FEB. 14.

Fanfiction is the most notorious product of fandom and the easiest way to burn hours swooning over fantasy sweethearts. Browsing through sites like fanfiction.net and archiveofourown.org feels like browsing a menu. How would you like your feelings today: a happy story of your characters living happily ever after, or a dramatic tragedy, like a train en route to a crash you can’t look away from? Find what you like and settle in with comfy pajamas, a warm drink and roommates who won’t judge you for crying over a character’s fate.

For shorter, sweeter hits of fanfiction, consider searching for headcanons over Tumblr—sentence to paragraph-long snippets imagining moments of characters lives the official canon may have missed.

Speaking of Tumblr, it may be one of the best sources for finding artwork of characters and allows easy sharing of artwork across multiple profiles, but it is not the only one. Pinterest has plenty, and its “boards” make it easy to organize multiple fandoms, like a virtual version of plastering magazine cutouts over all your walls.

While there is an abundance of fan artwork online, for that special pairing of character, consider ordering a commission from an artist online. Instagram, Tumblr and DeviantArt are full of talented artists who offer them. If financially possible, the anticipation of waiting for a piece just for you is a great feeling and supports artists as well.

Rewatch that favorite movie with a bucket of ice cream. Replay that beloved game until the sun rises. Fall in love and break your own heart, all from the comfort of your own head.

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LOVE & SEX

DON’T BE AN INCONSIDERATE PIECE OF SHIT

A GUIDE FOR GUYS TO BE MORE COURTEOUS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER SEX

JUSTIN GRINNELL

Men can be fucking dicks and, as a fellow member of the male gender, I know of this first hand. Which is why I’ve created a guide for guys to help us be a little less inconsiderate with regard to sex. This guide is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive, but is rather a mere primer of sexual courtesies for dudes to employ on Valentine’s day as well as in future erotic endeavors.

It’s important to note that much of this article is based on my own personal experience, and so it is told through the lens of heterosexuality. I wanted this article to be genuine of my own experience and trying to write about anything else would not only be disingenuous, but also, would not give other sexual orientations the proper attention they deserve.

FELLATIO FOREPLAY

To be honest, I’m not really a fan of blow jobs. Of course there are those who would argue: “well that’s because you’ve never had a ‘good’ blow job.” But the best convulsion inducing, saliva-saturated blow jobs just don’t compare to the best nailsdigging-into-your-back, lip-biting sex. However, I understand their appeal.

Part of my uninterest in fellatio stems from my own inability to focus when a girl is going down on me, and as a result, my internal monologue likes to wander: “Whatever happened to Spice Girls?” I ask myself mid-blow job, as I immediately follow that thought with “Awwwww tell me what you want what you really really want…”

And so for my first point: if someone is kind enough to put their mouth on your penis, you owe it to them to stay engaged!

Or at least notify them prior to that BJ’s aren’t your thing so they don’t waste the energy bobbing up and down your shaft.

While I’ve never given one myself, it would seem apparent to me that blow jobs are exhausting endeavours, and no one should have to exert that kind of energy unnecessarily.

Though I hate the word itself, you should fucking man-scape.

I can’t imagine anyone being thrilled to dive their face into the dense jungle that is your overgrown pubic hair. Do your partner the courtesy and deforest that shit. Honestly, I just trim the whole region down to a “0” as it’s easy and buys the most amount of time before I have to trim again. For Portland, stumptown may be a thing of the past, but for you, make it a thing in your pants.

Lastly, make sure you always give the person giving you head some forewarning before you blow your load. Let them decide whether or not getting out of the way is the right move. Which is an apt segway into the next section...

CUM AND WHAT TO DO WITH IT!

If you haven’t came from the foreplay—or you have, but have since recuperated, in which case this section might be too late for you—you’re probably going to fuck. Good for you.

Let me preface by saying that unless your mission is to procreate, having protected sex is a good idea. But with that said, unprotected sex is like 100 times better. If you’re of the thrillseeking variety, by which I mean you engage in unprotected sex, then you probably plan to implement the risky pull-out method. Please, before you do, let me share a story.

I dated a girl a while back whose name I’ve changed to Gertrude. Gertrude and I were getting ready to go to a fancy dinner for a special occasion that I can’t remember. She was getting ready in front of a mirror wearing a little blue dress.

Gertrude looked fine as fuck. She must have thought I looked pretty good too, as she caught me checking her out from my reflection in the mirror, and it resulted in us having sex.

I have to admit that I implemented the pull-out method perfectly, however, being mid-orgasm, I was unaware of the velocity and trajectory of my ejaculate and my cum landed in her hair. I tried apologizing profusely, but Gertrude was livid—and with good reason—as no one wants cum in their hair.

My point is this: know where you’re going to cum before you have to. I think this is best achieved in the form of a discussion with your partner beforehand, as everyone is different. Some partners won’t want you to cum on their bed sheets because they’ll have to wash them after—understandable—and some partners won’t want you to cum on them because they think it’s gross—this is also reasonable, I too think cum is gross and I wouldn’t want it on me either.

For those of you playing it smart by using a condom, don’t think you’re free of responsibility. You’re going to have to throw out that used rubber eventually, and your partner will be displeased if any of your splooge spills out onto the floor or into the wastebasket.

So be courteous and tie that shit off like a balloon animal before you do.

If you’re procreating—which is a strong possibility given November has the most birthdays, so I’ve been told—I trust you’ve done the necessary research to know what to do with your baby batter.

blew my little masculine mind: some girls will fake orgasms to get guys to cum faster. Some girls have to fake multiple orgasms before the dude finally finishes.

Now don’t take this the wrong way. This is not about girls being malicious; it’s about how no one wants to spend all day getting fucked by you. People have things to do. Faking an orgasm, as opposed to saying “hurry the fuck up,” is done out of respect for the fragile male ego. So before you go out with your boys and brag about your most recent “sexcapade” stop and ask yourself this: Did I really make her cum four times, or am I actually an inconsiderate piece of shit?

SO YOU MADE SOME FUCK, NOW WHAT?

If you did the gentlemanly thing and waited to cum only after your partner came, take the time now to relish in the post-orgasm moment with your partner. You’ve both earned it. If you didn’t, you may be a little inconsiderate, or you may have another problem that this guide is not equipped to handle. Either way, you should look into that. But now it’s time to clean up.

Switching between missionary, doggie, cowgirl, reverse cowgirl, lazy doggie, pretzel dip, back to missionary, into a flatiron, doggie again and finishing with a butter churner was probably the erotic equivalent to a game of twister and has undoubtedly left you covered in bodily fluids. Go get a clean towel, but do not use it. Instead, let your partner use it first as they were nice enough to let you fuck them. Also, I’m sure in the heat of the moment, you and your partner tore the clothes right off each other and discarded them at random, so please, help them find the underwear you threw across the room.

On a more serious note, if you intend on having multiple sexual partners, make sure you get tested frequently. I think this goes beyond courtesy and into something one ought to do, but it is relevant all the same.

AND FINALLY:

In episode nine of Call Her Daddy—a podcast about sex hosted by two women—the main discussion topic

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NOT YOUR AVERAGE BODICE RIPPER TUCKED BEHIND CAFE AT POWELLS, THE ROMANCE SECTION IS FILLED WITH EVERYTHING FROM RAUNCHY NOVELS FOR THE THRILL SEEKERS, OR SOFT-CORE ROMANCE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARENTS. ALEX WITTWER/PSU VANGUARD

‘THE PEARL: A JOURNAL OF VOLUPTUOUS READING’

The Pearl: A Magazine of Facetiae and Voluptuous Reading was an English underground Victorian era publication that ran monthly between 1879 and 1880. The Pearl was known for its humorous and raunchy erotica, poetry and advertisements, but it was quickly shut down by British authorities for violating obscenity laws.

The Pearl: A Journal of Voluptuous Reading is a collection of some of the best erotica originally published in the magazine. The book provides a fascinating dichotomy between the facade of respectability and sexual repression that existed in the Victorian era, and the kinkiness and sexual experimentation that existed just beneath the surface.

Many of the stories and poems included in the collection are downright filthy; others are hilarious and lighthearted; and others still are just hot and steamy, quality erotica.

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‘EMMANUELLE’

Emmanuelle is an erotic novel written by Thai/French writer Emmannuelle Arsan. It was officially published in France in 1967, but underground copies were distributed clandestinely since it was written in 1959.

The novel depicts the authors actual and fictionalized experiences as a sexually adventurous bisexual woman during the sexually conservative post-war era in Bangkok.

The novel is a unique portrait of a self-confident and sexually forward woman who enjoys casual and anonymous sex with other bisexual men and women who desire the same.

Ultimately, her experiences lead her to a state of transcendence.

On top of its vivid and captivating eroticism, the novel also delves into deeper philosophical discussions about polyamory, bisexuality and desire.

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

‘NEVER ENDINGS’

A LITERARY EROTICA READING LIST

DYLAN JEFFERIES When I was in high school, a friend gifted me a copy of Anais Nin’s Delta of Venus, a collection of lush and surreal erotica that Nin wrote for an unknown private collector who paid her handsomely for each story.

Since then, I’ve developed a penchant for weird and steamy erotica. The kind of stuff that makes you raise an eyebrow and question the limits of your own sexual desires as you read.

The oldest known example of erotica comes from a sumerian tablet from roughly 2000 BCE, according to the Guiness Book of World Records. Erotica’s been around for a long time. It’s an integral part of who we are as humans. We love to talk about sex. And we love reading about it, too.

But these days, visual porn is all the rage. It can be easy to forget that erotica even exists next to the bells and whistles of the porn industry.

And that’s a shame! Because erotica can be excellent, both as a means for getting off and sometimes for being just downright interesting. It is a window into the bedrooms of the past, as well as a lesson in patience. Porn can condition us to get off fast; good erotica reminds us to slow down. Taking the time to read erotica—whether it’s something dirty and smutty or romantic and tame—can help us remember to savor every detail of a sexual fantasy.

Granted, there’s a lot of really—really—bad erotica out there, and it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. So here’s a reading list of some of my favorite erotica that I’ve found over the years to help get you started:

Never Endings is a relatively new collection of trans erotica compiled and edited by Tobi Hill-Meyer. It includes 30 stories written entirely by new and upcoming trans authors.

The collection comes as a part of a burgeoning trans erotica literary movement focused on exploring the beauty of trans sex and trans bodies, the complexity of the trans experience and the differences between stereotypical hetero erotica and trans erotica.

Never Endings isn’t all erotica---many of the stories tackle themes like gender dysphoria, dating, sexuality and self love. However, erotica remains the focal point of the collection, and many of the stories are both erotic and strikingly intimate and beautiful.

‘APHRODITE’

While not necessarily a book of erotica, Aphrodite is just as titillating as anything else on this list.

Written by Isabel Allende in 1997, Aphrodite— an “aphrodisiac cookbook”—weaves together the personal, the mythological and the bizarre, as well as a passionate for food, to create a unique book that is part erotica, part personal essay and part cookbook.

Allende writes that often times it isn’t a meal itself that acts as an aphrodisiac: it is the stories, histories and gestures that come along with a meal that can turn it into a love potion.

Aphrodite is a love letter to the senses. It’s a cookbook you can read from cover to cover without even cooking anything. It includes everything from “how to seductively set a table” to “soup for orgies.”

For those looking to have experiences to write their own erotica about, this may be the book for you…

LOVE & SEX

&

NEON NUDE THE KIT KAT CLUB

SILVERADO

Silverado, one of Portland’s only gay dance clubs—and one of the oldest in the city—features a cozy, dive-ish upstairs bar with a friendly crowd and a pool table. Downstairs invites you in with red light and the promise of a good time.

The Kit Kat Club, located in Ankeny Alley near Voodoo Doughnuts is the classic strip club. The stage and the chairs stay low to the ground and the open atmosphere exudes a kitschy elegance.

CANDY Candy, one of Portland’s newest LGBTQ+ club, is a hot spot in Old Town. Neon pink and vivid visuals and top-tier DJ talents from the LGBTQ+ community ensure that weekends flash instead of fizzle.

TABOO

MARY’S CLUB

Taboo offers the discrete purveyor access to specialty pornographic needs that your personal FBI agent won’t need to see. A backroom exists for the daring in need of privacy.

Last, but certainly not least, is Mary’s Club—Portland’s oldest gentlemen’s establishment. Since 1954, the club has operated just off NW Burnside Ave. downtown.

PHOTOS BY ALEX WITTWER

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LOVE & SEX

FOR MO RE SEXY C ON WEBSITE AT PSUVA TENT, VISIT OUR NGU OUR INST AGRAM @ ARD.COM AND PSUVANG UARD

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INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE AGE “PUSHERS” HELP TO CRAM COMMUTERS INTO THE TRAIN IN THIS 1954 PHOTOGRAPH. COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

POSTWAR JAPAN PAST OR PRESENT? KARISA YUASA Dr. Carol Gluck, chair of Columbia University’s Committee of Global Thought, shared her thoughts on the ongoing postwar period of Japan on Feb. 6 at an event held at PSU. World War II ended in Japan on Aug. 15, 1945 with the surrender of Imperial Japan. 75 years later, Japan is the only country in the world that still considers itself in the postwar period, known in Japan as “sengo.”

“For the people who lived through [the war], what the postwar actually meant was very visceral,” Gluck said. “It wasn’t only the nation that was rebuilding, but this was a profoundly individual experience.”

Japan was already engaged in fighting and territorial disputes in China by the time the United States entered World War II in 1941. Japanese citizens had been living constantly in times of war up until sengo.

“The war was hard for everyone with very few exceptions,” Gluck said.

“Most people in Japan—and in lots of other places too—were not focused on national defeat or national victory or American occupation, not on the nation, but on food and shelter and also particularly liberation from war and the return to private life.”

Sengo started with the massive economic growth in Japan caused by the Korean and Cold Wars. This led to not only economic transformation, but social and political changes for the country.

This time of growth and change slowed by the 1970s. According to Gluck, some economists believe this is where the sengo period ends.

In everyday society, however, the ideas of sengo continue.

“My favorite example was from the 50th anniversary in 1995, when polls asked the interviewees their opinion of postwar and the newspaper had this big ad that said ‘Postwar Japan: 84% affirm,’” Gluck said.

At the end of World War II, Japan put in place a new constitution that outlawed war and limited the military. This part of the constitution is believed to have contributed to the ongoing peace in Japan that is seen as a main part of sengo.

According to Gluck, in 2015 a newspaper survey found that “nearly 90% said that the constitution played a role in postwar prosperity.”

Although Gluck said she isn’t against all the ideas of sengo, she worries about the implications of the continual focus on the past.

“Sengo becomes a barrier if you are lodged in something that is that long ago,” Gluck said.

“Sometimes it is a good thing, because I think the peace part is a good thing. It’s not that you want to dump it, but you want to take the parts that make sense.”

Sengo may be a Japanese idea, however the idea of focusing on the past is not uniquely Japanese.

“A lot of these historical ideas tend to make people think of the past as being better, you know all the good old days or something like that when it’s kind of an illusion,” Gluck said. “It keeps them from advancing constructively into the future.”

She compared Japan’s reliance on the past to what is happening in France regarding citizenship.

“The French are stuck on the French idea of citizenship; everybody is French. It’s a very nice idea because anyone can be French if they are a citizen.”

“But what does it mean? It means you can’t wear the hijab, you can’t wear the veil,” Gluck said. “You’re stuck on an idea which is good from an earlier time, but now in our time, it means you really do have to rethink the idea of citizenship.”

During the question-and-answer section following her talk, Gluck received a question regarding the similarities between Japan and the U.S. She explained the connection between the use of sengo ideas and President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan.

“What makes America great today is not what made America great in 1900,” Gluck said. “What makes America great today is the kinds of things they are fighting against.”

“I want America to be great too, but I don’t want ‘Make America Great Again’ to be one that is white supremacists. That’s not the America I want to be great.”

“As a historian, I don’t want the past to be used as a block to the future,” Gluck said. “I want the history to be better. I don’t want the history to be a block; I want it to be better, more accurate, more complete, more complex, but I also don’t want it used, wielded like a weapon against change.”

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

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ARTS & CULTURE

COMEDY FOR PEACE

PORTLAND STATE STUDENTS COME TOGETHER TO LAUGH AS SINGLE VOICE

IAN STOREY

Relating to strangers can be hard, but after Comedy for Peace, people were talking to each other with ease. Hugs were doled out with abundance and smiles came easily. Laughter has that effect on people.

Who would expect a comedy show at a Shabbat?

Shabbat marks the beginning of the Sabbath, and the idea is to put aside some time to detach from the physical world and honor the moment by connecting with spiritual practice and thought. Once a month, Portland State’s Jewish Student Union hosts Shabbat at the Native American Student and Community Center. Generous portions of pizza were served, and tables were full of people from all walks of life.

On Feb. 7 Shabbat, JSU invited Comedy for Peace to their celebration. Comedy for Peace is a group of Muslim and Jewish comics who travel the country, pulling laughter from serious contemporary subjects, particularly as it relates to ethnicity and religion. The group’s very existence exemplifies coexistence in the real world and challenges any assumption that onlookers might have about Jewish and Muslim relations.

They were invited to PSU by the Cultural and Historical Association of Israel and the Jewish Student Union.

Adam Allina, an organizer for the JSU and PSU student, was clear about the event’s intention.

“The idea was to invite everybody and ease some of the tension…we may not have all of the answers but people need to know that someone else’s opinions are nothing to be afraid of.”

“There’s always more research to do, but tonight, maybe learn something and have a laugh.”

Allina greeted people as they came in for the event, and a couple of his fraternity brothers came out to support him.

Sam Whiteley, a local stand-up comic, said, “It’ll be interesting to see something that’s pretty removed from the context of what you see typically from the Portland comedy scene.”

Hannah Sherman, executive director at Greater Portland Hillel, another group brought in to help organize the event, reaffirmed the event’s intention. “We want to create a space where we can show that people have different opinions and at the end of the day, we all want to have a laugh.”

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STEVE MARSHALL STANDS ON A CHAIR FOR THE AUDIENCE WHILE DELIVERING HIS ROUTINE. IAN STOREY/PSU VANGUARD

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

The show featured five comics from the professional comedy circuit. Michelle Slonim, Usama Siddiquee, Khalid Rhamaan, Steve Marshall and the troupe’s founder Dotan Malach. Readers may recognize some of these names from Conan, Comedy Central and the Laugh Factory YouTube channel. Rhamaan noted that the audience at the Native American Student and Community Center was more diverse than the average comedy night in Portland.

Even so, it was a tough room for the comics.

Comedy for Peace very intentionally addresses difficult issues, and for the first four comics, it was hard to find that balance between tension and catharsis. Were people offended by what the comics were saying? It was hard to tell.

The headliner Steve Marshall exploded into the audience, opting for no microphone, preferring the audience to the stage. His gregariousness elicited laughter from two women in the middle row, “To hear women laugh is important!” he exclaimed.

“Because it’s not always safe to be a woman, and when everyone’s laughing, everyone’s safe.”

Doing something only a truly experienced comedian can do, Marshall connected with his personal pain and the tragedies of everyday life and somehow made it funny. “To be ethnic is great! Be proud to be Jewish, be proud to be Muslim, be proud to be Black, be proud to be who you are.”

He weaved with speed through the audience, at times taking to the top of chairs. “Can you imagine a world without ethnicity? The food would be terrible! No one gets excited about egg salad.” With bravery and vulnerability, Marshall draws laughs while continually hammering on his central point, “believe me, they’re wrong about you. No one knows you better than you!”

He moved like a battlefield medic under fire, and with each patient transformed the room from something uptight into a place of joy. At first, no one wanted to be singled out from the audience but soon every person wanted to be in on the joke.

As Marshall’s act came to a close, he reminded the audience, “Equal rights is not a la carte! You cannot pick and choose from the love and hate menu!”

Robert Liebman, retired PSU sociology professor said, “People were able to laugh together in a single voice, no matter how different they were.”

ARTS & CULTURE NEWS

CORPORATE SOLUTIONS FROM TORO Y MOI

A SEASON OF CHANGE

STAR CONDUCTOR LEAVES OREGON SYMPHONY

JOHN ROJAS

NICK TOWNSEND

COURTESY OF FISK GALLERY ANNA LECLERC A new art exhibit questioned the ability for art to exist under capitalism and analyzed the relationship between artwork and the marketing of that art.

FISK Gallery, located on NE MLK Blvd opened a new exhibit titled “Corporate Solutions.” The exhibit showcases the work of Chaz Bear, a graphic designer and musician known professionally as Toro y Moi. Bear’s exhibit “Corporate Solutions” was quite bizarre— especially without being given a backstory first.

The exhibit opened with a showcase on Feb. 7.

The main focus of the exhibit was to showcase Bear’s paintings, which feature acrylic paint on stretched canvas supports, in addition to his screen-printed collage works done on paper. According to Bijan Berahimi, the owner of FISK, “the paintings in the show are the result of an approach that combines graphic immediacy with improvised and impressionistic decision making.” The works are “intended to induce a feeling of sensory overload.”

The finale of the “Corporate Solutions” showcase was a performance piece where the visual aspects of “Corporate Solutions” were brought to life. The imaginary “company” that Bear created is intended to market his paintings as office art. In an interview with Bear, he explained that the piece was a “tongue-incheek” approach to talk about his art.

In the gallery, there were multiple displays of traditional professions, such as shipping and handling, construction, and typical office jobs. Images very similar to stock image photos feature Bear and his “co-workers” doing work like packing up boxes, measuring unidentifiable objects, wearing hard hats for no apparent reason, and high fiving next to a laptop. It was a little ridiculous—but that’s the point. Bear wanted to troll the traditional ways of marketing the art world while also marketing his own art, and he succeeded in doing so.

While walking through the exhibit, the art seemed to be received very well by all of the attendees. People understood the irony of “Corporate Solutions” right away and were eager to take photos of the stock images along with the “Corporate Solutions” logo that was littered throughout the gallery.

In the middle of it all, there was a giant stack of “Corporate Solutions” boxes that were stacked together like a game of Tetris. One of the event’s attendees stood in front of one of the paintings, pointing at it and said, “I feel like I could do this. Is that messed up for me to say?” Maybe it is, in any case the work of “Corporate Solutions” inspired a dialogue of what exactly marketing has to do with art and why it’s there in the first place.

The Oregon Symphony will play its last season with internationally acclaimed conductor and music director Carlos Kalmar in the 2020-21 season, performing works by 15 living composers, five U.S. or world premieres and four original commissioned works.

At the symphony’s season announcement at the Oregon Historical Society on Feb. 6, Kalmar addressed an audience of longtime symphony supporters and benefactors about the upcoming season and his departure.

Kalmar—a globally recognized, Grammynominated conductor—said to the crowd, “Trust me, I am very honored to be the director of this fantastic ensemble and extremely honored to be a member of this community.

But all good things must come to an end.”

The upcoming season—dubbed the “Ultimate Season”—will honor Kalmar’s 18-year tenure at the Oregon Symphony and celebrate his legacy in elevating the orchestra to a new level.

Kalmar spoke about this as well, saying, “When I became a conductor, I did not develop the goal to become the director of the New York or Berlin Philharmonic, but rather [I wanted] to go to an orchestra and grow with them.” In the 18 years since Kalmar’s appointment, the symphony has expanded dramatically in audience, been nominated for two Grammys and introduced its Sound series, challenging listeners to think “beyond the concert hall”.

This year’s SoundStories will feature three programs exploring the question: “Who has the right to be heard in our society?” featuring works from an Austrian Jewish composer who fled the Nazis, a piano concerto written for only left hand by a composer with cerebral palsy, and a new work by creative chair Gabriel Kahane exploring the right to be forgotten in the digital age.

The last season conducted by Kalmar will conclude with a program headlining Mahler’s Symphony No. 9. Mahler and Kalmar share an Austrian origin and a musical history in Vienna. Jack Horne, a supporter of the

symphony, cited “[Kalmar’s] love of Mahler” as a reason for his continued support of the symphony. “He conducts Mahler with such a passion. You can see it.”

When asked what he had planned for life after his departure from the Oregon Symphony, Kalmar had few concrete answers.

“There are a bunch of possibilities...I might take a little break from being a music director to take a step back and look in from the outside while still working with great orchestras.” Kalmar, 61, noted that he’s held the title of music director almost his entire professional life. “I will very likely move, but my heart is still here [in Portland]...I live here. I don’t just come in to conduct, I live here.”

The replacement process for the position is still ongoing, but the trajectory of the Oregon Symphony is set. The season after Kalmar’s departure will mark the symphony’s 125th season. Beyond that, the mission of expanding the symphony’s setting and repertoire will continue. “Whoever [the new conductor] is will have their own idea of what they like to program,” said James Shields, principal clarinet. “An orchestra always has this problem of balancing core repertoire with new stuff...we can’t just keep playing Beethoven and Brahms as much as we might want to...Carlos was really good at that balance.”

Russel Kelban, the new Oregon Symphony VP of Marketing, told Vanguard that it was the Oregon Symphony’s commitment to expanded repertoire and diversifying performers and audiences that led him to move north from his position at the San Francisco Symphony. “We’re taking those chances, those risks,” Kelban said. “It’s more accessible, more diverse here.”

The new music director will have their work cut out for them maintaining the legacy that Kalmar and the Oregon Symphony have built.

A full list of upcoming programming and tickets are available at orsymphony.org

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

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ARTS & CULTURE

“It Was Never About

Overpopulation AND CLIMATE CRISIS

BRANDON PAHNISH ANNA LECLERC Solutions to climate change don’t exist in a vacuum. Ideas have real world history, context and impact. Multiple speakers held a public talk at PSU to discuss how climate change intersects with issues of reproductive justice.

The first PSU Black History Month Lecture, hosted by the women, gender and sexuality studies department took place Feb. 5 at Smith Memorial Student Union.

According to Lisa Weasel, chair of the WGSS department, “PSU has recently experienced the loss of a significant number of Black faculty and staff, which is detrimental to student success and erodes the educational mission of our university. This lecture honors the valuable work of Black scholars, especially Black feminist scholars, to our department and community.”

The guest speaker of the lecture was Dr. Jade Sasser. Sasser is an associate professor of gender and sexuality studies and a member of the core faculty of the sustainability studies major at the University of California

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at Riverside. The WGSS department hopes to make the Black History Month Lecture an annual event.

The lecture was titled, “Can we have Reproductive Justice in a Climate Crisis?”

This was also the question Sasser asked at the beginning of her lecture. For a long time, the question of overpopulation contributing to climate change has been a very debated subject among scientists and reproductive justice advocates.

Overpopulation is just one of the many intersections between reproductive justice and climate change. In her book On Infertile Ground: Population Control and Women’s Rights in the Era of Climate Change, Sasser explains how population control as a solution to environmental issues is not, and never was, the answer to solving the climate change crisis.

According to Sasser, climate crisis narratives are based on changing reproductive rights. This is “reductive logic” to Sasser. Ever

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

since the argument of overpopulation causing climate change has been made, the destruction of female bodies through “reproductive justice” has seen an astounding increase.

Efforts to sterilize women especially among poor communities and women of color have been seen time and time again in medical histories—or as Sasser said, “herstories.”

Women of color with a low income have been targeted for sterilization because of their “inability to take care of their children” and reliance on welfare. Sasser brought up the example of John Labruzzo, former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, who infamously suggested paying women on welfare to voluntarily sterilize in 2008.

In addition to political efforts being made to sterilize women, many medical institutions have considered sterilization to be “academic training” and have encouraged the practice for many years. Most of these sterilization procedures were conducted without the consent of the patient.

“

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

The climate crisis has also been put into a framework of “a world war” against the people, contributing to the push for “population engineering.” The term “population engineering” was coined by bioethicists at Georgetown in 2016 in an article published in Social Theory and Practice. Sasser equates “population engineering” to eugenics, which is when reproduction of individuals is selectively limited to produce “better” humans.

Eugenics is a concept deeply intertwined with histories of racism and oppression.

The example that Sasser mentioned in her lecture was giving tax breaks to people without children vs. having higher fees in hospitals for giving birth. Eugenics is seen even in institutions that are supposed to be advocating for reproductive rights. For example, Sasser mentions the organization of Planned Parenthood has contributed to eugenics, such as sterilization and past reports of pushing for the use of cheap birth control.

Although reproductive justice advocacy has had a complicated past, there are some efforts being made to help regulate the misconceptions of overpopulation. For example, a collective by the name of “Sister Song” has made significant improvements for the reproductive rights of low-income women of color. Their aim is to advocate for the choice of the woman: either to have children or to not have children; and if there are children to raise, to make sure that the parents involved have enough support and resources to do so.

The main point of Sasser’s lecture was to critique the idea of overpopulation in relation to reproductive choices. The bottom line is the idea of overpopulation contributing to climate change is destructive to women’s bodies. Sasser emphasized that “climate change is a living phenomenon” and is centered around human bodies and how we are related to and have a direct impact on our surroundings.

Sasser urged the audience to reject the notion of “overpopulation” and instead focus on our individual behaviors and choices as it relates to the environment. We can collectively make a difference in the climate change crisis, because after all, there is strength in numbers.

OPINION

HAVE YOU HEARD?

THE SEX EDITION AJ EARL

I guess it’s no secret by now that I’ve got a pretty sexual past, but honestly that should be the least interesting part of my background. The most interesting part of my personal history is actually the fact that I once drank a 2-liter cola in under 30 seconds and didn’t barf afterward. That’s what we call personality. Anyway…

Did you know that there is a second type of PrEP out there?

Descovy provides all the benefits of Truvada but at a lower biological toll. Two things about that, however: Truvada is still a useful form of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and the conversation about these drugs should still center HIV+ folks.

Yes, it’s great that PrEP can help limit transmission, but at the same time we should devote efforts to patent bust and lower prices to helping Poz people first and foremost. Also, maybe put a fraction of the energy that goes into advocating for PrEP into recognizing that undetectable equals untransmittable?

Also, Poz people don’t live their lives to be sexually desired by HIV- people.

Next up, can we just talk about x-rated pics? I maintain, always have, that there’s a coming time when far more than a majority of people have produced x-rated pics for their own use and the consumption of selected people. Rules regarding operational security apply pretty universally here, including not sending nude pics to people who might spread them, not sending pics to those who have not consented and not under any circumstances spreading revenge porn.

There are a lot of reasons that a person could be disqualified from certain public service jobs, but having an OnlyFans is not one of those reasons.

Have you heard about Portland State Queer Resource Center’s Sex Week? That’s coming up in just a couple of weeks, March 2–6. You’ll see more and more flyers around campus as that time approaches!

Can I riff for a second, y’all? It has always been my bathhouse pet peeve to see folks smoking in the space, but now they’re vaping to an extent that far exceeds any smoking I’ve seen. I was at a pool party a few months ago, and every few seconds I’d smell an acidic cotton candy-scented smoke. But anyway…

As to that last point, I’d complain but I can’t speak and use ASL, so complaining is a difficult prospect! That said, and totally relevant, did you know that queer deaf/hoh communities have a lot of great signs for different sexuality and gender-related concepts? On YouTube you can find videos from Nyle diMarco and Chella Man and Rogan Shannon.

Finally, as some of you may know, I am a historian. I study public history in the History Department’s MA program and my emphasis, surprise surprise, is sodomy laws and queer relations on the West Coast, specifically in Portland. In the near future I hope to bring you queer history highlights, especially those that are relevant to PSU. Anyway, ‘til next week: bye-eeee!

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

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SPORTS

WHY DO WE LOVE SPORTS SPORTS? RICH RIGNEY Why do we love sports so much? What makes competition—and spectating competition— such an inherently desirable activity for so many people?

The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro reportedly brought in 3.6 billion viewers worldwide, and more than 102 million people watched Super Bowl LIV this year. What keeps so many millions of people investing so many billions of dollars to watch a bunch of athletic anomalies run around and play a game? And why play the game to begin with?

To be honest, I may be a bit biased here. I love nearly everything about sports. I can discuss the pros and cons of running the triangle offense in today’s NBA with the same enthusiasm as an Instagram influencer trying to sell you their flat-tummy tea. The details are just as interesting to me as the game itself.

Chris Borland, a former NFL linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers described the “euphoric high” of landing a collision against an opponent in football: “Outside of sexual intercourse, there’s probably nothing like it.

For many athletes, it’s about the feeling they get from playing the game and being out there with their teammates. “Do you know what my favorite part of the game is?” asked former NFL coach and All-Pro linebacker Mike Singletary, “The opportunity to play.” For some, it’s just that: having the opportunity to continue doing what they love.

But what about the average sports fan? Those who never strapped on pads or stepped foot on the court but love watching just the same. There are reasons sports fanatics obsess the way they do.

Inspiration: Sports inspire us to be our best selves as we witness our favorite athletes achieving feats we can’t even comprehend. If Michael Jordan can drop 38 points on the Utah Jazz in game five of the 1997 NBA finals while playing with the flu, I can probably get up off the couch and take the garbage out to the curb.

Vicarious success: Sports allow us to share in the elation of another’s hard-won success.

They have the power to unite us toward a common goal: Sports can bring disparate people together in ways they would never otherwise interact.

According to research by sports psychology professor Daniel Wann, of Murray State University, identifying with a sports team can have legitimate benefits toward your mental health.

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JOHN ROJAS

In an article referencing Wann’s research, Anna Almendrala stated, “epic fandom is also linked to higher levels of well-being and general happiness with one’s social life, as well as lower levels of loneliness and alienation.”

“For a lot of people, sports are a way to escape the world,” said sports fan Lincoln Tyler Ottersbach. “Not every day is great for people, so when a day, week, month, or even the whole year is going bad, watching a favorite team or just your favorite sport could cheer you up.

Some days it doesn’t matter whether they win or lose honestly, just getting to spend an hour or so watching them can be a nice little escape for people.”

“The simple fact is that people are looking for ways to identify with something, to feel a sense of belonging-ness with a group of likeminded individuals,” Wann said.

For me, it was dressing up as “Boston Celtics Man” for superhero day in third grade. Was Celtics Man a legitimate, preexisting superhero

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

recognized by the general public or anyone at school that day? Absolutely not. Did I feel pretty badass walking into class in my shiny green cape with a big Celtics “C” emblazoned across the back? You bet I did.

“Athletes are real-life superheroes,” said sports fan Justin Michael. “To men and women who are all essentially kids at heart, we look at these superhuman people in awe at the types of things they can do with their bodies that ordinary people can’t.”

To me, those Celtics players were superheroes, and representing them meant being a part of something bigger than myself, with an entire community of like-minded individuals behind me.

In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is

more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.”

There’s no single reason why people love sports. There are an infinite number of reasons, and each is unique to the individual and their own experiences.

“I like sports for the same reason that Benjamin Sisko did in Star Trek Deep Space Nine,” sports fan Steven Haddock said. “No one knows the outcome of any part of the process prior to the start of it. Not only each game, but each play, is unpredictable.”

“I enjoy watching sports because I like to see those athletes pushing themselves to be the best at their sport,” sports enthusiast Dennis Hutchins said. “It’s the same reason I enjoy watching spelling bees, chess matches, or anything else where people are competing to be the best.”

Whatever your reason for loving sports, nearly everyone would acknowledge that it’s a whole lot bigger than just the game.

COMICS “LOVE IS LOVE”

DANA TOWNSEND

JOHN ROJAS

PSU Vanguard • FEBRUARY 11, 2020 • psuvanguard.com

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Jordan Cagle Cervanté Pope & Hannah Welbourn

FEB. May 11–17 14–20 MUSIC

FILM & THEATRE

FAREWELL TO THE PIG “HOUSEHOLD” PORTLAND ART AT THESTATE CAVE ART BUILDING 9 A.M.–5 10 A.M.–4P.M. P.M. FREE This family exhibition Swine-related works of features art from works 15

by Jack Featherly different artists in and celebration Laura Hughes of along the end with of the their12 children, year cycle Leven of the and Iris Featherly.

Chinese zodiac.

HIGH ON FIRE, GROVE, GLORY IN FAR OUT WEST,HOLY THE GOLD SOULS THE SHADOWS GOODFOOT TONIC LOUNGE 10 P.M. 9FREE P.M.• 21+ SOLD OUT Funky jams for a Tuesday evening.

Tonic Lounge is closing in August, but Sleep’s Matt Pike is using his own band High on Fire to send them out properly.

BROKE POP UPGRAVY MAGAZINE: & FRIENDS: SPRING4 ISSUE REVOLUTION HALL MORE YEARS $29 STREET PUB ALBERTA 7:30 P.M.P.M. 7–8:30 $12 It’s like all the inner workings of a A special event celebrating magazine played for you inthe person.

Portland Improv’s group fourth year performing.

OUTSPOKEN: BIKE & BREWPOLYAMORY TOMMONOGAMY VS MCCALL WATERFRONT PARK 6 P.M. STREET THEATER CLINTON FREE 7:30–9:30 P.M. $5 - $10 by Portland Bike Gear, Hosted Explore two on the this ridethese begins at points the waterfront modern spectrum. and endsrelationship at Breakside Brewery, because nothing is more Portland than bikes and beer.

ILLUMINATED “PLANE OF SCATTERED LETTERS: ARTIST PASTS”TALK UPFOR GALLERY OREGON JEWISH MUSEUM WED–SAT:P.M. NOON–1 11 A.M.–6 P.M. FREE $8 Heidi Schwegler Listen to Portlandand artist Quayola’s Sara Harwin joint exhibition give a talk focuses about her onwork. the fragmentation of objects as they age.

WILLIAM TYLER, DOLPHIN TRASH, DIY SLUTS, BARB MIDWIVES POLARIS HALLSTORE THE LIQUOR 89 P.M. $16–18 • 21+ $7 Dolphin Midwives is what Punk rock in the middle ofreally makes this. Her intricate and delithe week. cate harp, pedalboard and vocal work is a strangely heavenly thing to witness live.

NETFLIX DRAG OF AFRICAN FILMS CASCADEAND FESTIVAL CRUSH BAR ‘THE WOMAN WITH THE KNIFE’ 8:30 P.M. CAMPUS PCC CASCADE $8 7 P.M. FREE A drag nod to all the shows you’ve Film exploring the to, roles of tradiNetflix and chilled though it’ll tional medicine vs. less western be more lively and stonymediand cine, psychoanalysis sensual (probably). and various other themes.

ROCK THE PUBLIC CUPPING MIC NIGHT BUCKMAN COFFEE INTERSTATE FIREHOUSE FACTORY CULTURAL CENTER 10 A.M–NOON 6:30 P.M. FREE $5 COVER Cupping Come outisand the support process local of tasting artists and leaders smellingas ofthey brewed share coffee, with and you can try it for free at this event the community. hosted by Genuine Origin.

EBULLIENCELIGHTS: CERAMIC ART OF NORTHERN HOKKAIDO GALLERY 114 REVISITED PORTLAND JAPANESE NOON–6 P.M. GARDEN TUE–SUN: 10 A.M.–7 P.M.; MON: NOON–7 P.M. FREE INCLUDED WITH ADMISSION New works byGARDEN artists from the PortThis showcase of ceramics is celland Art and Learning Studio. ebrating the 50th anniversary of the Hokkaido Pottery Society.

PHOG, SANGO,CRYSTAL SAVON LOGIC, DR. DEAF THE FIXIN’ TO 45 EAST 89 P.M. $5 • 21+ $17.50 If a blend of doom metal andand counSeattle based hip-hop, R&B try soundsmusic right up your alley, electronic producer andthen Dj this is the show for you. come to Portland.

‘LET ME DOWN EASY’ CASCADE FESTIVAL OF AFRICAN FILMS PORTLAND ‘BOXINGPLAYHOUSE LIBREVILLE’ THU–SAT: P.M.; SUN: 2 P.M. THROUGH PCC CASCADE7:30 CAMPUS JUNE 7 P.M.16 $20–36 FREE Inspired by real-life interviews, this Documentary following a young play looks at theas resilience human boxer in Gabon he trainsoffor a nature through healthcare fight and worksaas a bouncerlens. at night to support his dream.

OPEN HOUSE AT SLAMLANDIA POETRY THE PERLENE OPEN MIC POP-UP PICNIC PDX DUMBBELL SUITE 204 FAIR-HAIRED 6:30 P.M. 5:30–7 P.M. $5 SUGGESTED DONATION FREE Poets are Social clubinvited and workspace to share up forto two poems lasting women providing three anminutes open house at this open so youmic, canwhich sip champagne will be followed and tour by a poetry the facility. slam.

FRI MAY FEB 14 17

METAMORPHOSIS: “PROCESS PATTERNS” WORKS IN METAL EUTECTIC GALLERY MULTNOMAH ARTS CENTER FRI–SAT: 9 A.M.–9:30 10 A.M.–6 P.M. P.M.; SUN: NOON–5 P.M. FREE These The Creative ceramicMetal pieces Arts byGuild Kat Hutter disand Roger Lee are inspired by the plays their work. colors and patterns seen living in Southern California.

THE FAINT,BASS CHOIR BOY, CLOSENESS DJ MAXX STAR DIG ATHEATER PONY 9 P.M. SOLD FREE •OUT 21+• 21+ The Faint bringing Dance theare night away back with dancepunk, and it’s about goddamn time. your valentine.

‘THE LOSTFESTIVAL BOYS—LIVE!’ CASCADE OF AFRICAN FILMS SIREN THEATERABOUT TREES’ ‘TALKING FRI SAT: 8CAMPUS P.M., THROUGH MAY 25 PCC & CASCADE $18–28 7 P.M. FREEthe freakin Lost Boys, one of the It’s Four vulnerable Sudanese filmmakgreatest ‘80s movies ever, perers reunite toinbring backeyes. to formed right frontlife of your their old dream of making cinema a reality in Sudan.

VALENTINES OMSI AFTER DARK DOESN’T HAVE TO BE OREGON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY A DRAG 6–10 P.M. HI-LO HOTEL $15–4 • 21+ 4:45–7:00 P.M. $20 Have you ever wanted to explore Tickets include a glass of museum bubbles, Portland’s famed science food options, and an evening without the enormous numberofof entertainment children? This isfrom yourPortland’s chance.

Poison Waters.

SAT MAY FEB 15 18

VOLCANO! “A TYPOLOGY OF LAMENT” FROELICK GALLERY PORTLAND ART MUSEUM TUE–SAT: 10 A.M.–5 10:30 P.M. A.M.–5:30 P.M. FREEGENERAL ADMISSION / $17 STUDENT $20 Portland-based An exhibit to commemorate photographer the Susan Seubert’s fourth anniversary exhibition offeatures the eruption images of of handkerchiefs Mount St. Helenscreated in the 1980s. through the process of ambrotype.

MOANING, BLINDS MAGIC CITYMINI HIPPIES, THE PALMS POLARIS WONDER HALL BALLROOM 5:30 9 P.M.P.M. $10–12 $17.50 Post-punk isn’ton usually but Portland stop a tourabrasive, supporting Moaning has a different take on it. their latest album, Modern Animal.

CASCADE ‘THE LIVING FESTIVAL LIBRARY’ OF AFRICAN ECHO THEATER FILMS - ‘PHOTOCOPY’ 1 P.M., PCC CASCADE 4:30 CAMPUS P.M. 7$10–25 P.M. FREE Artists from the ages of 7–14 act Egyptian filmof following an aging out the lives books, and it’s man and his sudden realization interesting. that his life mimics the lifespan of the dinosaurs.

PSU FARMERS HEFE DAY 2019MARKET WIDMERPARK SOUTH BROTHERS BLOCKSBREWING 2–8 P.M. 8:30 A.M.–2 P.M. $1 POURS OF HEFE ALL DAY FREE Usuallycheck Come the only outbeer someyou of the can get for $1 is Pabst or Rolling Rock— local vendors. read: water—so take advantage and celebrate one of Oregon’s most famous craft beers.

COLOR PORTRAIT “SELF LINE: BLACK PARTY” EXCELLENCE ON THE WOLFF GALLERY WORLD STAGE WED–SUN: PORTLAND ART11MUSEUM A.M.–6 P.M. FREE 10 A.M.–5 P.M. $20 GENERAL / $17mediums STUDENT Artist RachelADMISSION Mulder used Last to gotosee a series ofhair to fromday etching even human reproductions of works originally create this exhibition. displayed in W.E.B. Du Bois.

THE HUGS,KMETO GHOST FROG NATASHA RONTOMS 8 P.M. FREE • 21+ The Hugsvoice makeand indie pop, Ghost Powerful always provides Frog makes spacey punk and a great live show. they’re both dishing it out for free.

‘GANJA & SPRING BALL: HESS’ MEDICAL EDITION TONIC AVENUE FIFTH LOUNGECINEMA 35 P.M. $10GENERAL ADMISSION / FREE $5 FOR STUDENTS It’s the Imperial Sovereign Rose Experimental house film.

Court’s annualart ball, and horror this year’s theme involves scary scientists and naughty nurses.

ALL POWER CAKE DEPRESSED TO THESHOP PEOPLE: OPAL 28 REMEMBERING THE LEGACY OF THE 1–4 P.M.PANTHER PARTY IN PORTLAND BLACK FREECITY BOOK PUB ROSE 2–4 ThisP.M. one-day, pop-up cake shop FREE seeks to encourage conversation on An event to remember history mental health, featuringthe gray baked of Black Panther Party. goods donated by local bakers.

ARUNI DHARMAKIRTHI “UNDER PRESSURE” LITTMAN GALLERY, SMSU 250 NATIONALE MON–WED: 11 A.M.–6 P.M. NOON–5 P.M.; FRI–SAT: NOON– 6 P.M. FREE FREE Inaugural exhibition of Aruni DharThe 7th annual juried exhibition makirthi’s No Flowers in Eden. is a showcase of art by PSU students and will be on display until May 22.

WORSHIP: SCENE JET BLACK THE PEARL CHURCH CORKSCREW WINE BAR 87 P.M. FREE • 21+ Every Monday, to bar. worship Accordion jamswe in aget wine our scene gods in a different kind Hell yeah. of church.

MUR MURSSPIRIT: 100 YEARS OF BAUHAUS BAUHAUS NW FILM CENTER 7WHITSELL P.M. AUDITORIUM 7 P.M. $15 GENERAL ADMISSION / $13 STUDENT $8–10 A film exploring Los AngeIt’s not a film about the beloved les’ graffiti. band but about the German Weimar-era school of design that inspired them.

KARAOKE PIXAR TRIVIA NIGHT AT VALENTINES SENATE VALENTINES 7 P.M. 9 FREE Hosted Show them

by Stumptown what you got.

Trivia, this all-ages trivia night is complete with a raffle and a full bar.

ART

COMMUNITY

TUE TUE MAY FEB 11 14 WED MAY FEB 12 15 THU MAY FEB 13 16 SUN MAY FEB 16 19 MON MON MAY FEB 17 20