May 2024: The Moments of Connection Issue

Celeb Style: Usher

MIDDLE OF BOOK

52 Cooking By Candlelight

64 The Red String Of Fate

76 Best Day Ever!

88 Coming Of Age

100 Six Looks: “I Love You” In Spoken And Visual Language

CAMPUS CASUAL

108 Quiz: Which Words Of Affirmation Are You?

110 May Horoscopes

112 To Write Love On Her Arms

Looks

BACK OF THE CLOSET

116 Real Life Versus On-Screen

120 What Exactly Is Religious Love?

124 Connective Links

128 Representation For Asexual Relationships

132 Illuminating Ink

134 Sex Across The Spectrums

136 Fan Behavior

138 In Good Fashion: We’re Not Really Strangers Game

140 Rant/Rave: Can Boys And Girls Really Be Friends?

HAUTE ONLINE

Looking for a new internet obsession? Whether you want to listen to podcasts or watch some videos, we’ve got you covered virtually.

LETHAL COMPANY

The indie game “Lethal Company” was seemingly an overnight success. After its release in late 2023, “Lethal Company” amassed hundreds of thousands of players and won the Better with Friends Steam award. The developer, Zeekers, has a background in game development for platforms such as Roblox and Unity. Zeekers drew inspiration from existing online communities and creatures for many of the enemies in the game. This goofy horror co-op allows for endless hours of fun with your friends, and its low cost makes it easily accessible to everyone.

The main objective is for you and your friends to travel to different moons and gather scrap and junk to return to the company. You have three days to meet your designated quota and each time you meet the quota, it increases. The fun animation style mixed with horror elements leads to many comical moments with friends.

- CARLY HART

As someone who struggles with anxiety on some days, I have found that online therapy is such a great thing to take advantage of in today’s age. With how fast time flies nowadays, it’s really hard to slow down and make time for yourself, let alone to schedule an appointment, go to an office, wait for your turn, etc. So, in an effort to make my mental health more of a priority, as well as make my day more productive, online therapy has made a world of a difference for me. This version of therapy has become so widespread and such a widely known tool that there are

so many new options being released, virtually everyday. There are specific websites such as Better Help that were able to drive the market towards more affordable and accessible options. There is never a better time to start therapy and get help than if you are going through a big change like the end of a school year, moving, and/ or graduation.

- KAELYN WALTHER

A birthday, an anniversary, a first date, an apology, or even “just because.” Flowers are thoughtful and easy ways to show appreciation worldwide. Anytime I am gifted flowers I feel special and as if a closer relationship has bloomed. The worst part about this sentimental gift is that the flowers’ beauty doesn’t last forever. Think of a time much simpler than now, step one and two was no more than two bricks. No need to make a hypothesis, or use the process of elimination. Just build. Legos have grown alongside us as we’ve grown up, making new

advancements to go with the different milestones of life. The special and new combination of both flowers and Legos have started a creative, yet niche trend between couples and friends. Not only do they last forever, they serve as an easy and creative way of spending time with one another. This is by far one of my favorite trends; it’s creative, cute, and an easy way to spend quality time with people you love.

- JORI HUSTED

Soon after Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” or TTPD, was released, I read that fans were calling it a masterpiece. I’ll admit I was skeptical; in my humble opinion, “Red” is Swift’s crowning achievement. Now that I’ve listened to all 31 songs, though, I’m obsessed. TTPD is a masterpiece. “So Long, London,” “I Can Do it With a Broken Heart,” and “Guilty as Sin?”

are some of my favorites. At any given time since the release, my head has been filled with Swift’s thought-provoking metaphors and melodies, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

- KIM LANGHIRT

Find out the top five things that our exec board is inspired by right now.

BLACK FLATS

Something metaphysical occurred when I walked into my art history class and laid eyes on my professor’s shoes. First of all, she was already absolutely serving with a cap-sleeve, squareneck Y2K top with a pair of low rise, wide leg capri pants. To finish the look, she adorned a pair of plain black flats. I essentially sprinted home to get on Depop and search ravenously for a pair of simple black flats, ideally with a bow or a strap, but any pair would do. I needed a pair of flats on my feet in a criminal way.

From that moment in art history class, all my days became dedicated to daydreaming of pairing a perfect and adorable pair of black flats with some wide leg jeans that fall across my foot in a very Enya Umanzor type of way. You can imagine my joy when I went home for the weekend and discovered that I have had this exact kind of black flats since highschool that I used for the sole purpose of concert band performances. They mattered so little to me back then that I forgot I owned them. Back then, I thought those flats were the most boring and frumpy shoes ever. Now, they are the pinnacle of style.

- EMMA MCADAMS

Do you remember at the start of summer when you were a kid? How excited you were when the end of May rolled around and your parents sat you down to create a bucket list full of things you wanted to accomplish that summer? Although this was clearly a way to occupy us for a few hours and the list rarely actually got done, the idea of a bucket list for the summer is still, and always will be, a good plan. Learning a new recipe, trying a new coffee spot, or simply cooking dinner with your friends are all great ideas of things to put on one’ s list.

Whether complicated or elaborate, creating a list of things to do can help one look forward to days of sunshine as the end of the semester quickly approaches and professors casually start to remind you of that final you’ve been dreading since January. Bucket lists can be lengthy and intricate but can also include things you might seriously need to get done. Make sure to throw in a few things you really look forward to trying and write down some things that will help motivate you to actually do them.

- GABRIELLE CABANES

RIVERS AND ROADS

In five days, I will graduate college, and I can’t stop listening to “Rivers and Roads” by The Head and The Heart.

Friends come and go, but the group of people I met at Ohio University will last a lifetime. “Cookies,” as we’ve titled our group chat since freshman year, have been the most influential people in my life, and “Rivers and Roads” perfectly encapsulates how I feel leaving them, only our memories to remind me how much I love them.

Of course, I will keep in contact with them, but just like the song says, all my friends are moving away. I will be forced to watch their lives through my phone screen, on social media and FaceTime calls, and I know I will miss their faces “like hell.”

The strum of the guitar sends me back to high school when I would listen to this song in my Jeep, top off and windows down with my then best friends. Now, I listen to it in my roommates red bug, convertible top down, with tears in our eyes.

So, to all my best friends: “Rivers ‘till I reach you” — nothing will keep me from loving you all forever.

- MOLLY WILSON

RENEE RAPP

This past year, one of the biggest breakout stars, Reneé Rapp, has become super popular. I personally have been obsessed with her since she was on “The Sex Lives of College Girls” (2021), her first big acting job, but she’s been on the rise since high school. In 2018 she won the Jimmy Award for Best Performance by an Actress and was casted as Regina George in “Mean Girls” on Broadway. Her music career is the main reason I love her— she has a voice that can make you forget all your

problems. She was recently on SNL as a music guest and her performance was awe-inspiring. She started her set lying on the ground, belting out her newest single and I was starstruck. Two of her lost-love-inspired songs, “Tummy Hurts” and “In The Kitchen,” are two of my favorites

- NAIMA WOLFE

COFFEE DATES

Sitting down with a new friend, mentor or acquaintance with a cup of coffee or in a local cafe or coffee shop is no new concept, but I’ve recently gained new appreciation for the gesture. When attempting to make friends as a freshman in college, hearing the phrase “let me know if you ever want to grab a coffee,” from an acquaintance meant much more to me than just a mid-morning caffeine stop. Coffee dates became a way to further connect with upperclassmen who I had seen as role models in their writing and work for student organizations, future roommates, and classmates I wanted to get to know better. Grabbing a cup of coffee with a new friend or mentor became a time to discuss aspirations, dreams and goals away from school or clubs. Sitting face-to-face at a local shop and our only activity being listening to one another’s thoughts and ideas allowed for so many genuine

conversations and moments of connection throughout my first year of college. It helped me feel so much more supported amid a period of drastic change and growth. A simple hour-long coffee date offers such a good opportunity to listen to others talk about themselves and their perspective, and taught me the importance of quiet and simple moments in the fast-paced environment of a college campus.

I have people I regularly coffee-date with, like my roommate or close friends. It’s become a way to debrief after weekends apart, celebrate our successes with a sweet treat, or spend time together without the pressure of finding an activity. Coffee dates have allowed me to grow closer to the people in my life and share and listen to different perspectives over a simple cup of coffee.

- DISHA HOQUE

Editor’s Note

Hello, Threadies! After an incredible year, I’m delighted (and saddened) to present to you the last issue of Thread for the 2023-2024 school year. The final issue explores intimacy and connection in our lives, and how fashion and culture plays such a large role.

Our lovely staff explores close affinities in our lives through different lenses. We wanted to emphasize that sex can be a form of intimacy, but one does not need sex to be intimate.

We decided to name it the “Moments of Connection” issue in hopes of encompassing all of the connections made to sex, relationships, intimacy, passion, and love. These are found in many variations in our editorial and creative work.

Our editorial staff highlighted the history behind garments such as garters (P. 26) and heirlooms (P. 28) in the world of intimacy. We also featured how local Athenians connect to each other, such as local doula Brooke Miller (P. 46) and the lingerie company Odd Romp (P. 44)

Our features section dives deep into heavy topics surrounding love, sex and everything in-between. Read how intimacy is heavily intertwined with religion and spirituality (P. 120). We also take a look at what oversexualization looks like across gender spectrums (P. 134).

The issue’s Middle of the Book shoots are able to take something so pure and indescribable, such as love and relationships, and visualize it for our readers. See how we are all tethered together in “The Red String of Fate.” Take a moment to enjoy the simple times with “Cooking by Candlelight.” Platonic soulmates share the love in “Best Day Ever!” Finally, see how life is always evolving in “Coming of Age.”

I will forever be grateful to have worked with such an amazing staff. Our editorial, business and creative teams dedicate so much to Thread Magazine. Seeing so many talented, young individuals fills me with joy. I appreciate everyone’s hard work, and I know it will continue for years to come.

I also wanted to thank our faculty advisor, Dr. Elizabeth Hendrickson, and the director of student media, Andrea Lewis. Thank you for pushing Thread and myself to constantly do better.

I want to also thank the following seniors on our executive board for spending their final year with Thread: Alexis Ky, Emma McAdams, Juliana Colant, Kim Langhirt, Ryan Maxin, Samantha Kruse and Sophie

without you.

I would not be the leader I am without our art director, Hadley Fain, and our business manager, Hunter Gibson. I’m incredibly honored to pass the reigns to you both, as well as Gabrielle Cabanes and Reese Thompson, for the 2024-2025 school year.

To our creative director, Kae Walther, thank you for coming into this role like a champ. You came in everyday with a positive attitude, ready to hit the ground running. I am so proud to have seen your success up-close.

To our managing editor, Tate Raub, thank you for always having my back. I never saw you as a “righthand” man, but as a woman who stood by my side and pushed me to be a better person. I could not have done this without you.

Thank you to our readers for allowing me to help tell more stories from Thread over the course of this year. I wish I could stay around forever. For now, the chapter is closing.

With Love, Hannah Campbell Editor-in-Chief

Neilsen. We could not have created these masterpieces

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Hannah Campbell

MANAGING EDITOR Tate Raub

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kaelyn Walther

BUSINESS MANAGER Hunter Gibson

ART DIRECTOR Hadley Fain

EDITORIAL

COPY CHIEF Ryan Maxin

SEAMS EDITOR Gabrielle Cabanes

FEATURES & BOC EDITOR Alex Imwale

EDITORIAL STAFF J Pressley Mcilwain, Megan Diehl, Emma Erion, Kitty Crino, Avery St. George, Catalina Litts, Sophia Anness, Susie Iannone, Molly Wilson, Emme Bowe, Sophia Neilsen, Jackson McCoy, Aidan Cox, Disha Hoque, Lucy Riley, Katie Millard, Bridget Rexhausen

DESIGN

DESIGN DIRECTOR Kim Langhirt

ILLUSTRATION DIRECTOR Emma McAdams

WEB EDITOR Carly Hart

DESIGN STAFF Cassidy Woods, Ella Heulskamp, Hadley Fain, Sophia Ciancola, Meredith Viox, Zoe Cranfill, Gretchen Stoner, Ryan Gee, Avery Callison, Gwyneth Shoemaker, Maris Cordial, Maddie James, Tanner Vance

ILLUSTRATION STAFF Sophia Cianciola, Maris Cordial, Alaina Dackermann, Elizabeth Dickerson, Carly Hart, Emma Hews, Lauren Hines, Maddie James, Ally Parker, Alaina Pellett, Mia Pishotti, Cassidy Woods

PHOTO

PHOTO CHIEF Disha Hoque

PHOTO EDITORS Naima Wolfe, Jori Husted, Joe Hallquist

PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF Nicole Bell, Morgan Clark, Nate Conklin, Zoe Cranfill, Kitty Crino, Hannah Kirkpatrick, Zennia Lam, Emma Odson, Ella Spremulli

MULTIMEDIA

CO-MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Jenna Skidmore

CO-MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Logan Jeffries

VIDEO EDITOR Maggie Musto

PODCAST EDITOR Jackson McCoy

MULTIMEDIA STAFF Emma Henry, Lauren Key, Ella Huelskamp, Jayla Neal, Sean Terrell, Nicole Bell

FASHION

FASHION DIRECTOR Kendall Bergeron

ASSISTANT FASHION DIRECTOR Natalie Schoolcraft

MAKEUP DIRECTOR Alexis Ky

ASSISTANT MAKEUP DIRECTORS Maria Segui Irizarry, Veronica Savitski

FASHION STAFF Avery St. George, Gretchen Sahr, Bella Bolin, Sohpia Anness, Khalil Scott, Chelse Tano, Alex Cunnigham, Caroline Rhude, Olivia Urlage, Meghan Martin, Georgia Riendeau, Jayden GaitherHillard, Katelyn Johnson, Briar Kinch, Abby Jenkins, Emilia Fatica, Avery Brown, Emma Odson, Tate Raub, Anahita Hekmat, Megan Diehl, Kelsi Saunders, Owen Traum, Jayla Neal, Presley McCoy, Emma Erion, Natasha Magati, Julianna Colant, Genesis MendezFalcon, Susie Iannone, Britnie Graham, Emma Henry, Nina Motter, Caroline Pullem, Alayna Talladino, Amiya Weaver, Hadiya Ray, Audrey Riyadi, Isabella Jeronimo, Ruby Pare, Diego Buhay

BUSINESS

PUBLIC RELATIONS CREATIVE Sophia Neilsen

PUBLIC RELATIONS SALES Molly Wilson

EVENT PLANNER Samantha Kruse

SOCIAL MEDIA Juliana Colant

BUSINESS STAFF Alex Cunningham, Andrew Ryan, Bailey Boring, Camden Campbell, Emma Hedges, Tess Altier, Natalie Jonson, Lila Newman, Morgan Robinson, Ryan Kennedy, Tommy Dwyer

2023 2024

SAMANTHA KRUSE HEAD OF EVENT PLANNING

KAELYN WALTHER CREATIVE DIRECTOR

RYAN MAXIN COPY CHIEF

Executive Board

CABANES SEAMS EDITOR

MOLLY WILSON DIRECTOR OF PR & SALES STRATEGY

SOPHIE NEILSON PR DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE STRATEGY

KENDALL BERGERON FASHION DIRECTOR

HANNAH CAMPBELL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CO-MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

HART WEB EDITOR

JULIANA COLANT SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

TATE RAUB MANAGING EDITOR

GABRIELLE

LOGAN JEFFERIES

CARLY

JENNA SKIDMORE CO-MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

DISHA HOQUE

NAIMA WOLFE

EMMA MCADAMS PHOTO CHIEF PHOTO EDITOR ILLUSTRATION DIRECTOR

JACKSON MCCOY PODCAST EDITOR

NATALIE SCHOOLCRAFT ASSISTANT FASHION DIRECTOR

HADLEY FAIN ART DIRECTOR

KIM LANGHIRT DESIGN DIRECTOR

HUNTER GIBSON BUSINESS MANAGER

MARIA SEGUI IRIZARRY CO-ASSISTANT MAKEUP DIRECTOR

JORI HUSTED PHOTO EDITOR

ALEXIS KY MAKEUP DIRECTOR

MAGGIE MUSTO VIDEO EDITOR

JOE HALLQUIST PHOTO EDITOR

ALEX IMWALLE BOC & FEATURES EDITOR

SEAMS

From the runway to the streets, and everywhere in between, here are this seasons’s most soughtafter trends.

HISTORICAL INTIMACY P.30

RUNWAY REALWAY Calvin Klein

BY J PRESSLEY MCILWAIN PHOTOS & DESIGN BY HADLEY FAIN

Very few clothing brands are as known as Calvin Klein. The iconic brand has branched from clothes and underwear, to perfumes, cologne, and accessories. Calvin Klein is best known for having celebrities model their clothes and underwear with stars like Michael B. Jordan, Mark Wahlberg, Kendall Jenner and Odell Beckham Jr being featured in posters and billboards modeling for the brand. Although Calvin Klein is more known for its jeans and affordable streetwear, the brand is still no stranger to eccentric runway styles that exploded in the late 2010s.

Women’s styles alone stand out enormously. Calvin Klein focuses on long dresses, skirts as well as an emphasis on jackets and trench coats to keep a classy look. The duality of sexy and sophisticated looks really catches the eye.

For the men, Calvin Klein really likes to go for a more experimental look. Many of their best outfits focus on layering and color coordination, emphasizing long jackets and dress pants. Things like vests and accessories are very synonymous with these kinds of styles. The experimentation of business casual is something that has made its way into red carpet walks for celebrities.

Calvin Klein’s runway attires are very fascinating, showing that the brand is more than just basic streetwear and has no problem taking risks with its outfits and styles.

Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty lingerie brand has amassed countless customers and an estimated value of $3 billion over the five years the company has been up and running. Likely, this success is due to the inherent star power carried by a name like Rihanna’s and the company’s dedication to inclusivity across all sizes, abilities, ages, genders, and races.

Savage x Fenty’s success helps dismantle and decenter antiquated and exclusive ideas of beauty, replacing them with the more fluid and inclusive idea that there are countless ways to be sexy.

However, below the surface of a brand with a painfully positive impact on the fashion world lie the same problems brands like Shein have received criticism for including poor working conditions and labor practices.

In fact, Savage x Fenty scored lower than Shein in Remake’s 2022 Fashion Accountability Report, only gaining four points when the average number of points for the other 58 companies analyzed was 14. The bar was low and Savage x Fenty still failed to reach it.

RUNWAY REALWAY Savage x Fenty

BY MEGAN DIEHL

What’s most disheartening about this revelation is that not only has Savage x Fenty widely failed to protect its workers but that the brand “blatantly disregards industry standards when it comes to social and environmental disclosures” and then turns around and markets itself as a progressive and socially conscious company.

Rihanna has made statements about sustainability and her philanthropic organization, the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF,) has pledged $15 million to 18 organizations dedicated to the fight against climate change. This could be interpreted as her making up for her company’s environmental impact. Yet, now there has been radio silence from Savage x Fenty in terms of rethinking their own unsustainable practices. Savage x Fenty borders on greenwashing given the gap between the rhetoric that the company preaches and their actual practices, but it made a widely positive impact on inclusivity within fashion, specifically the lingerie market. Rihanna would be smart to clean up this aspect of the company or risk falling behind on a new lingerie brand with more ethical practices.

PHOTOS

B O Y G E N I U S

By now, you’ve probably heard of Boygenius. Its song “Not Strong Enough” hit #1 on the Adult Alternative Billboard chart, and the group won three Grammys, including Best Alternative Album. Boygenius has solidified itself as a tour de force in the indiealternative world, both on the music front and the fashion one. Its members, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker all had fairly large followings before coming together to form the sad-girl supergroup, and they all have made headlines for their effortlessly cool fashion choices. The group’s ability to rock just about anything, from drag to Thom Browne suits, showcases how fun-loving and eccentric the group can be, despite its more melancholy sound. One of the major aspects of Boygenius’ identity as a group is its queerness, and its ability to tap

into so much queer joy on stage, as talked about in the group’s interview with Them. As Bridgers put it, “The government being actually actively trying to kill the coolest people (LGBTQIA+ people) is something I think about every day.” Many of its fashion statements tie directly into the experiences the group has had as queer people. At the Hollywood Bowl, the group dressed as The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, the three main figures of Catholicism and Christianity. Baker openly struggled with the intersection of her queer and religious identities in her solo album “Little Oblivions,” and the topic of faith is touched on in “Satanist” on the group’s debut album, “the record.” Dressing as these religious figures in times of suffering, with Baker donning a crown of thorns, is a commentary on religion through fashion.

Another example of Boygenius making a statement through fashion is when its members wore drag outfits and makeup at the group’s concert in Nashville, in protest of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signing anti-drag legislation just months earlier. Julien Baker actively led the crowd in a chant against Lee, urging them to “scream so loud that Governor Lee can hear you.” Protest through fashion is certainly not a new concept, but Boygenius utilized that to speak up for LGBTQIA+ rights.

The members of Boygenius seem to have a penchant for the “coordinated but not matching” look. The group donned sleek all black outfits for the pre-Grammys party, with Dacus’ dress featuring a completely sheer chest panel. The group also does not shy away from fully sheer clothing, rocking see-through white shirts after the Grammys Red Carpet ended. The group’s coordinating black and white corsets and suits for the GQ Man of the Year Awards was one of their coolest fashion moments, as they looked stunning at the ceremony that typically only celebrated men in Hollywood.

Overall, Boygenius’ musical identity is directly tied to its fashion identity, with its statement-making fashion choices proving that the group is heading towards iconic status.

BY

EMMA ERION PHOTOS BY EMMA ODDSON DESIGN BY CASSIDY WOODS

CELEB STYLE:

USHER

Though numerous artists have made a name for themselves in the music industry, very few names became as big as Usher. Usher Raymond IV has been one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers for almost 30 years now. He has acquired hundreds of awards including eight Grammys, 18 Billboard Music Awards, 12 Soul Train Music Awards, and many more. The singer has done it all. Some of his most important records have begun to transcend generations including “Confessions,” “Yeah,” “U Got It Bad,” and “Let it Burn.” He has helped cultivate popular talents like Justin Bieber and has influenced countless artists in R&B; among them are Chris Brown, Drake, Trey Songz, and Miguel. Additionally, he recently performed in Super Bowl LVIII, something that established his status as a living legend in the industry.

Despite his widespread success, one thing that Usher was rarely recognized for was his impact on fashion. Coming from a distinguished period in fashion, Usher, like most R&B singers in the mid to late 1990s, wore eyecatching, extravagant clothing that everyday people wouldn’t wear or couldn’t afford to replicate. It wasn’t until the 2000s and early 2010s that stars like Kanye West, Tyler The Creator, ASAP Rocky, and Kendrick Lamar began to influence fashion, affecting popular culture on a larger scale. However, Usher made his own impact by stepping away from trendy clothes to remain consistent with his style. During the 2000s, black artists adopted loose clothing like oversized t-shirts and jerseys.

BY J

Snapback hats, loud jewelry with baggy jeans, and Jordans were typical in 2000s streetwear. Despite this, Usher maintained a style in almost complete opposition. Usher was best known for wearing tight clothing, putting a lot of emphasis on leather jackets and tighter, more fitted jeans. He did take some inspiration from popular culture, rocking long jewelry and sunglasses with big, tinted lenses. As the star continued to age, his signature style evolved alongside him. With the help of fellow R&B star Ne-Yo, Usher helped popularize the fedora and began wearing more comfortable clothing like scarves and fabrics with a softer quality. Usher Raymond IV will always be a legendary entertainer, but his impact on fashion should be remembered too.

PRESSLEY MCILWAIN PHOTOS BY KITTY CRINO DESIGN BY KIM LANGHIRT

Letting

Your Down Garter

BY EMMA ERION

PHOTOS BY KITTY CRINO DESIGN BY CARLY HART

The good old garter toss. A raunchy wedding tradition that has blessed the Internet with countless viral videos of brides’ parents acting out in disapproval. While the toss has slowly become a thing of the past, garters themselves have remained relevant. Whether at the Eras Tour or behind closed doors, the small strip of fabric has continued to make waves in the fashion world.

The garter toss was essentially the groom’s version of the bouquet toss with a scandalous edge. Traditionally, the groom had to stick his head under the bride’s dress, pull the garter off with his teeth, and then throw it to an expectant crowd of single men. This wedding classic stemmed from a bygone period, during which “consummating the marriage” was a much less private affair. It began with boozed-out guests

chasing the couple to the room, where the bride began removing her clothes, which were then taken home as party favors. However, many brides stopped incorporating the garter toss into their weddings because they found it awkward, inappropriate, or dated.

Though the garter toss has become an uncomfortable event for most, garters have remained a fun way to accessorize. The Garter Girl, a small business centered on designing wedding garters, has maintained that the piece of lingerie should be a special keepsake from the night to symbolize the love and passion between bride and groom. The business has focused on creating thoughtful designs that could be “passed down through generations.”

Garters have been featured beyond the bedroom, though. Taylor Swift, arguably the

most famous pop star in the world, sported a garter during the “Midnights” portion of her Eras Tour, along with a shimmery blue bodysuit. In an article with Business Insider, psychologist Carolyn Mair said that wearing garters can help ignite feelings of sensuality and empowerment.

“This elevates the outfit beyond the obvious glamour of the bodysuit alone.” Plenty of fans have created outfits inspired by Swift’s tour looks, with plenty featuring sparkly garters of their own.

While garters may be just a thin strip of fabric, a lot of traditional symbolism has been packed into the lingerie staple.

BY KITTY CRINO

Historical Intimacy

PHOTOS BY MORGAN CLARK

DESIGN BY CARLY HART

Intimacy is a concept that overarches relationships of all kinds. Often overlooked is the concept of emotional intimacy in familial relationships. One way this has been expressed throughout the years is through the tradition of family heirlooms. We have heard of gift-giving as a well-known love language, but this is far more significant than that. An heirloom is a tangible symbol of a family’s heritage. Whether the heirloom is over a century old or was delegated to be passed on only in the most recent year–heirlooms possess immense sentimental value nonetheless.

Heirlooms often come about in a variety of different ways based on what is important in a certain family and what holds specific sentimental value. It is common that an heirloom is not inherited until its owner has passed on, but when this is not the case, this intimate communication can be difficult to navigate. Kelly Balamuth is a family attorney and founder of an estate planning practice where she focuses on enhancing and maintaining familial relationships throughout inevitable lifechanging events. She has found that disputes regarding inheritance and allocation of family members’ keepsakes, or otherwise heirlooms,

is one of the leading causes for adult sibling relationships to dissipate. Communication makes sure that peace is maintained when the time comes to distribute personal property. Through this communication one may choose to give these heirlooms away during their lifetime. Family members have the opportunity to vocalize the personal value an heirloom holds, creating an environment for intimate conversation to be exchanged and where connection cultivates.

Heirlooms are a means of maintaining family harmony throughout generations. Having intimate conversations surrounding the act of passing on an heirloom creates an inseverable bond between family members. An heirloom is a symbol of life, an object deemed so precious it has been appointed to live a life longer than that of its original owner. Beyond the surface level of being called a really cool antique, heirlooms hold multi-dimensional history. Heirlooms have been witness to familial history that present day family members will never come to know–possessing untold stories, confidential emotional exchanges, and above all, an ethereal worth beyond monetary value.

Sex

BY AVERY ST GEORGE PHOTOS BY NICOLE BELL DESIGN BY ELLA HUELSKAMP

This will look at many products that are named very sensually andwhy those product names work.

Have you ever been in the makeup section and picked up a lipstick to find that it had a surprisingly sexual name? Makeup and sex have been increasingly interconnected spheres with beauty brands wanting to increase their edginess and appeal to a young audience. The success of the Too Faced “Better than Sex” mascara has inspired an influx of sexually named makeup products among many other brands. Sex is a new marketing angle for makeup companies who want to profit off of the taboo and forbidden appeal that the topic of sexuality encourages. The “Better than Sex” mascara has garnered some controversy and was even censored in Saudi Arabia and changed to “Better than Love.” The mascara was actually named after a famous quote by Marilyn Monroe,

according to the company’s Chief Financial Officer, and not intended to promote outrage. Nars has been privy to the sex appeal movement. Their “Orgasm” blush was also one of the leading pioneers in the realm of sexually named makeup. The “Orgasm” blush was so successful that they created a whole collection of blushes around the sensual theme. Each blush in the collection has a sexual name including standouts like “Deep Throat” and “Foreplay.” The full-sized blushes go for about $34 and are intended to play on the idea of the post-coital flush on one’s face. The collection boasts a wide range of pinks and reds presumably to replicate a natural blush. Additionally, Nars also has a “Climax” mascara in their beauty line. This mascara is competing with the Too Faced mascara which is $29 and Nars is selling their “Climax” mascara for $25.

The thing about controversy is that it can benefit sales. Any press is good press, especially when it leads to more exposure for a product that is competing in a saturated market. The outrage surrounding sexually explicit makeup has created discussions about whether these names should be exposed to young people and whether these products promote the oversexualization of women. On the other hand, there is also discourse about how sex should be normalized and young people should be taught to be comfortable with discussing sexual topics. François Nars said that he created the “Orgasm” blush over 20 years ago because he wanted to translate the feeling of an orgasm into a pigment. As these products continue to pop up, it seems the beauty community is encouraging its customers to embrace sexuality and it might be best to listen because this trend isn’t going away anytime soon.

S e ll S

S c i ent cifi

The allure of pheromone fragrances

BY AVERY ST GEORGE

PHOTOS BY JORI HUSTED DESIGN BY ELLA HUELSKAMP

sc e n ts

Pheromone perfumes and colognes are gaining popularity on social media platforms by influencers who have been promoting them as a way to increase sexual desirability. However, most don’t know what pheromones are or what colognes and perfumes do. Pheromones are chemical substances produced by an individual that can affect the behavior and functioning of others in that species. They act like signals that allow bodies to communicate unconsciously. Research shows that the pheromones you release can stimulate arousal and desire in other individuals. The way the perfumes and colognes work is by enhancing your body’s natural pheromone production, attracting potential suitors.

One of the most popular brands is the $20 Pure Instinct Roll-On Essential Oil, unisex, which has a strong scent. The oil is applied to the pulse points like your wrists and neck to enhance the natural pheromone production of the body in its most heightened areas. The perfume smells slightly different on each person as it enhances their natural scents including ingredients like mandarin, mango, honey, and cinnamon making for a fruity undertone. While it might not make the preferred sex fall

to their knees, it can entice others by amplifying the natural attraction hormones.

Many people don’t know that some popular fragrances are pheromone perfumes and colognes. One might already use one of these and not even know it. For example, the viral Glossier “You” perfume contains some pheromone-enhancing properties. The website lists it as a “personal skin-scent enhancer” which explains the name “You.” Similarly, the Replica perfumes also blend one’s natural scents with a specific fragrance.

These perfumes and colognes are so appealing to people that they now carry a reputation for attracting romantic partners. The pheromones are supposed to attract. Sexual allure is a quality that many desire; pheromone perfumes and colognes may offer a solution to relationship woes. Even if the perfumes and colognes lack an impact on potential suitors, they may work for some people through a placebo effect and make them feel more confident because they’re wearing the fragrance. These colognes and perfumes might be worth a try for those looking to spice up their dating life and feel more confident in everyday life.

Sabrina Carpenter

Pop-star, style icon, and it-girl are just a few words that come to mind when thinking of Sabrina Carpenter. The talented and empowering 24-year-old has had immense success in the music industry the past few years. With opportunities spanning from being Taylor Swift’s concert opener for her Era’s Tour, to just recently becoming the new digital cover star of Cosmopolitan, Carpenter is becoming one of the entertainment industry’s biggest upin coming celebrities.

From child actor to pop-star sensation, Carpenter has completely reinvented herself. Many fans came to know her from her role as Maya in the Disney Channel sitcom, “Girl Meets World” which jump started her career in the entertainment industry. Though, while the show was airing, Carpenter continued to pursue other forms of entertainment, one of which was creating music. In 2015 she came out with her debut album, “Eyes Wide Open”, which did not gain much traction. However, just a few years later, Carpenter had her big break with the release of her albums, “emails i can’t send” and “emails i can’t send fwd:”. With the help of her fanbase and a controversial music video, according to Billboard Media Company, the song ‘“Feather’ has become the highestcharting song of Carpenter’s career” (Havens para. 6). Her courage to release risky content is refreshing. She is making pop culture scandalous and interesting again, particularly for Gen Z.

With the release of her new songs, Carpenter has been spotted performing in various events ranging from I Heart Radio’s 2023 Jingle Ball to 2024’s Coachella Music Festival. In recent

BY CATALINA LITTS

ILLUSTRATION BY EMMA HEWS

performances done by Carpenter, she has been seen wearing platform heels and iconic custom heart cut-out dresses by designer Ivan Frolov. These dresses have become a staple for Carpenter because of how much their design reflects the flirtatiousness her music conveys. Along with these dresses, one of Carpenter’s main stylists, Ronnie Hartleben, has contributed to some of her styles seen in her music videos “Nonsense”, “Because I liked A Boy”, and “Feather”. Much like Carpenter, Hartleben understands the themes of her music videos and is not afraid of choosing risque pieces to style her in.

Much of the clothing Carpenter chooses to wear plays a role in the overall essence of her character. The mix of coquette apparel and Y2K glam work together to bring out an intimate side of Carpenter. Her bold yet alluring look adds a sense of charm to her presence on social media platforms, performances, and personality. Many women are inspired by Carpenter’s personal style because of how enchanting and feminine it is. In an interview with Vogue, she noted that much of her style is “about balancing a wardrobe basic with an eye-catching element.” This tasteful glamor is core to creating the brand of such a unique pop culture artist.

Carpenter’s work reflects the beauty and intimacy she represents. Her success in the entertainment industry is most notably due to the dedication she devotes to her craft. She empowers women to own their femininity through her art. She is loved and admired by millions because of how much she embraces her identity. Carpenter is an example of a woman who is in tune with her beauty and is not afraid to own it.

DESIGN BY SOPHIA CIANCIOLA

Helen Gurley Brown

BY SOPHIA ANNESS ILLUSTRATION & DESIGN BY CASSIDY WOODS

When Helen Gurley Brown took over as editor of Cosmopolitan, people would not have predicted the magazine would become a vision of sexual liberation and power for women.

According to Britannica, Brown was born in Green Forrest, Arkansas, in 1922, and after college, she began a copywriting position with an advertising firm. This position quickly showcased her ability to write interesting and captivating words, and she quickly rose to the top.

Brown made waves when she released her first book, “Sex and the Single Girl” in 1962. It was a foreign concept to the people of the time. Sexual intercourse was something to save for the man a girl marries, but Brown changed this idea and began pushing women to explore career paths and fashion. The book was an instant best-seller, and her name was noticed by Cosmopolitan, which was not doing well at the time.

According to Britannica, Cosmopolitan was launched in 1886 as a family magazine about cooking, home furnishings, and fashion. The family aspect of the magazine was failing, so they brought in Brown in 1965 with her eloquent

writing and unique ideas to save the magazine from going out of business.

Brown plastered a word throughout the magazine that would forever change the way magazines were viewed by people: sex. Brown took a taboo topic and talked about it, which was revolutionary for the time period.

Fashion within the magazine became more risque, but this was not for the male gaze. It was for women’s sexual liberation. According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, sexual liberation can be defined as “the state of being free from sexual mores or inhibitions that are considered restrictive.” This was a movement that Brown pushed toward, and it brought much controversy to the magazine. However, people were buying the issues.

Brown incorporated sex into articles about romance, fashion, and even food. One thing was for sure, this kept people reading. The magazine became an empowering source for women to make them feel they deserve to be seen and heard. Women felt understood through the magazines, they were able to express themselves more freely.

Though the magazine became worldrenowned, its popularity did not come without controversy. People criticized Brown for discussing sex in her magazine articles and creating unrealistic beauty standards for women. However, the magazine did not stop selling out.

Brown remained editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan until 1997 when her tenure ended. She revolutionized the magazine and her legacy still lives on even today.

In 2012, Brown passed away, but people did not stop talking about her impact at Cosmopolitan. The magazine continues discussing sex and allowing for a space for women to normalize sex within the lifestyle. Though much has changed since the 1960s, it is safe to say Brown will always have her voice in the publication.

WHO, WHAT, WEAR

A glimpse into some of Athens’ most captivating people, places, and events.

HEADLINE P.#

Produced by passion

How local artists create based on their artistic interests

BY KITTY CRINO

PHOTOS BY NAIMA WOLFE

DESIGN BY EMMA MCADAMS

“Art and love are the same thing: it’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you” said Chuck Klosterman in his book “Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story.” One of the most intimate relationships an individual can have is with the creative being within themself. Not everyone has reached the ability to harness this relationship but several artistically inclined Ohio University students have.

Clara Williams (@Claras_prints on Instagram) is a senior print major at Ohio U, and after being introduced to screen printing in her sophomore year of college, it became her art mode of choice. Williams practices a vibrant, colorful, graphic style of art and has found printmaking to be the mode that translates her personal art style the best.

“The best part about printmaking is getting to make multiple of the same piece,” Williams said. “What I really like about it is that it’s a great way to spread your work while still having the handmade aspect of it that everybody wants when purchasing art.”

Williams attended Catholic school her entire life and credits her high school art and encouraging her to progress in this growing field. Since then, Williams has communicated her experiences with navigating life beyond the realm of Catholic schooling through her art.

Whimsical, celestial characters commonly recur in her work, representing spiritual freedom and the countless opportunities this world has to offer.

Williams finds the passion that drives her creativity in her everyday life. She recalls that during the quarantine period of the COVID-19 pandemic, she felt pressure to use this free time to create, but quickly recognized that with a lack of experiencing the outside world came a lack of inspiration.

“Inspiration doesn’t come when I am just sitting at home,” Williams said. “It helps when I am doing as many new experiences as possible. Whether it be going on a walk, or traveling—a lot of inspiration came from when I studied abroad over the summer in Scotland—or just going and hanging out with a friend; just doing anything.”

The art piece Williams is currently most passionate about is her thesis project she has been working on throughout the entirety of this past school year. It is an interactive piece that concentrates on the modern dating scene and relates it to a circus. Consisting of 80 vintage style icons accompanied by different words, viewers choose words that resonate with their personal experience in dating. These choices will ultimately guide them to sentences that will reveal a message–which could be positive or negative–regarding their dating experience.

“I like all of my work to be very relatable,” Williams said. “Whenever I make very personal art it feels isolated to just me and I like to use my own experience to relate to other people so we can all have this experience together. My goal [is] to show everyone that you’re not alone in this.”

Patrick McCallum (@Pattystax.art on Instagram) is a senior studying studio art with a concentration in printmaking at Ohio U. He recalls printmaking as early as elementary school, back when students were given styrofoam plates to carve into. He gives thanks to the artists in his family who encouraged him from a young age and allowed him to see it possible to pursue art as a career. Despite having a concentration in printmaking, McCallum’s art mode of choice is drawing “at the most basic level,” he said.

In the early stages of McCallum’s art career, this was primarily because of how easily

who, what, wear

accessible it can be at any time. With drawing, there are few materials to prepare and little space necessary to create. Today, he uses this mode of art to connect with himself and others and takes much of his inspiration from the imaginative realm of modern day animation. McCallum said because animation doesn’t have to cling to real life, it can do a lot of really interesting and expressive things that can make someone feel something.

Animation studios such as Studio Ghibli, Cartoon Saloon, and cartoons like “Adventure Time” have served as a catalyst for McCallum’s drawings and their various styles of animation remind him of the picture books prominent in his childhood. McCallum said it is powerful how even simple forms of art can make you laugh or feel something that is later expressed in other art. How a viewer reacts to an art piece and what feelings arise when presented with his art is of utmost importance to McCallum.

McCallum carries the notion that animation does not need to parallel reality into his drawing,

as escapism is a source of creativity that encourages him to make art. Being able to immerse oneself in a creative project fueled by one’s own passion brings a sense of fulfillment that cannot be found in typical forms of modern day escapism like social media and mainstream entertainment).

“Art and love are the same thing: it’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you”

CHUCK KLOSTERMAN, AUTHOR OF “KILLING YOURSELF TO LIVE: 85% OF A TRUE STORY”

“I think that the arts are really important for us as an expressive thing,” McCallum said. “Much of what we have before written history is the art that was made, so why isn’t it at the forefront of what we’re doing?”

Sam Brandes is a senior film major at Ohio U who recently found himself falling in love with what could once be considered a lost art form—clowning. Despite becoming a part of the community in just the last year, Brandes said this one-of-a-kind art has always been a part of him. As a kid, being a clown was his dream job.

“Finding out that there is an art form that embraces failure in a way that is not growing through your failure but growing with [it] and allowing it to be a part of your art is something I haven’t experienced before,” Brandes said.

Being a film major who loves to make people laugh, Brandes’ films are predominantly comedic and feature many clownish characters. Now, he finds himself filling the role of these clownish characters on and off stage and screen by implementing the core of clowning into his everyday life by embracing failures and creating laughter.

“Modern clowns are maligned versions of what [a clown] traditionally is,” Brandes said. “It’s a cultural archetype that spans the entire globe, [across] all of humanity–there has always been a need for a clown figure in every culture.”

Brandes has integrated this notion into Athens culture by conducting weekly workshops at the “laugh lab,” where he aids clown babies, or those new to the art form, in developing their clowns and creating acts for future performances. Brandes, alongside other local clowns perform at venues in uptown Athens such as The Union and Donkey Coffee.

With the negative stigma surrounding clowning in today’s society it is common for clowns to be judged or feel as if they are contributing something to the world that is inherently adverse.

“Knowing that it is something that is innately human and won’t ever go away because it is so essential to our life … makes me feel like I am doing the right thing,” Brandes said.

Brandes exudes passion for this art form and emphasizes the fact that clowning is an intrinsic part of being human and is a precious aspect of one’s character that should be outwardly expressed far more often than it is, especially with the negative stigma surrounding clowning in today’s society.

“It’s so much more than acting or performance art—it is a primal part of ourselves,” Brandes said.

An artist’s ability to connect to their audience through their work is a powerful quality to have in that it diminishes barriers between an artist and an audience. Whether that connection be formed through tangible, unspoken collaboration, relatable visuals that remind viewers of our universal connections, or through personal interactions and laughter such as that of Brandes. Artists like Williams, McCallum, and Brandes are a testament to how passion and inspiration surround us all. It can be found in our daily lives, in the experiences we have, in the places we go, and within ourselves. Allowing the intimate connection between our physical beings and our inner creative selves to form.

“I do think that a big part of being an artist is just having a passion,” McCallum said. “About having a passion for life. Having art, having a way to express yourself. It’s very important. It’s very powerful.”

LIVIN’ IN LINGERIE

Local Athens bartender created an inclusive, slow-fashion clothing line.

BY SUSIE IANNONE

PHOTOS BY NAIMA WOLFE

DESIGN BY ZOE CRANFILL

Lingerie products, like so many other female-oriented products, are increasing in popularity but degrading in quality, following the rise of the fast fashion industry throughout the world. On average, a large business like Victoria’s Secret makes upward of $7 million a year in sales, leaving flexibility for price increases that happen often due to the popularity of their products, while simultaneously the business is paying very little to create the products with cheap materials and cheap labor.

While handmade items require extra time and planning, they provide a living for small business owners and promote carefully made, highquality products.

Rachel Couch, an Athens native, is no stranger to handmade products and has been designing custom lingerie since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, with the new skill of sewing and a background in dance, Couch created their first piece: a birthday ballet-inspired dress. Many people encouraged them to begin selling the dress and similar products for a profit, impressed by Couch’s keen ability to create one-of-akind and attractive clothing on a budget. After two years of planning and resourcing, Couch launched their company, Odd Romp.

Owning a small business is no small feat. Couch said it was a struggle to learn a new skill while acquiring business-savvy skills. They said creating a personal textbook was the best way to keep track of anything and everything about Odd Romp. The textbook, a thick sketchbook full of handwritten notes and mini swatches, served as Couch’s guide to sewing and they still use it today, along with many other helpful books created by them. When creating the name of the company, Couch got equally as creative.

“I did a whole word cloud in a notebook,” Couch said. “I just was writing words I liked and that one just came to me.”

In having the sole creative agency of Odd Romp, Couch can create the pieces they are inspired by, selling them both online and in person approximately once a month at local art vendors in Athens. Often, they combine forces with The Pussy Cat Collective, a promoter of local art at The Union, the same bar Couch bartends in. During these events, Couch places all products on a beautiful red display with g-strings, thongs, garter belts, and bras.

Living in Athens connected Odd Romp to many in the local fashion and art scene, promoting its values among those who shared the same vision of diverse and sexy fashion.

Emma Loomis-Amrhein, a carpenter and Athens resident, said it didn’t feel correct to call Odd Romp a brand because, to them, a core aspect of it is to reclaim lingerie from large corporations. Loomis-Amrhein added that they have talked to Couch about how it feels sexier not to buy personal items from corporations.

Loomis-Amrhein also said Couch’s sets and halters fit very comfortably and gave details about how Couch molded a cozy space for customers.

“Rachel dealt with me as a trans customer in a way that was both very respectful and nonchalant,” Loomis-Amrhein said. “I feel like many people who do custom clothing and receive a trans customer make a big deal about being an ally. I think the more options we have, the better [it is] for both individuals’ needs and for creative people who want to fill niches not only in the market but also in the community to find a purpose.”

“Rachel is present as someone from within the community, who understands that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and who is willing to work with folks on custom sizing and returns to make sure that people can wear pieces that are comfortable, affirming, and sexy.”

ZOE BRYSON

Zoe Bryson is also a customer of Odd Romp, and while she only made a purchase once, she often browses Couch’s website and visits popup events around Athens. Bryson admired the trending styles Odd Romp utilizes in its lingerie.

“Lately, I’ve been wowed by Rachel’s dive into accessories such as ruffles and others that are tapping into the clowning zeitgeist of Athens right now. They’re putting out pieces that are fun, sexy, goofy, and have a lot of demand.” Bryson also

who, what, wear

mentioned how convenient Odd Romp’s locality is, especially in such a close community such as Athens, Couch is a comfortable and friendly face to those searching for new intimate items. “As a transfeminine person, buying any gendered article of clothing can be nerve-wracking but lingerie-shopping can be especially difficult to navigate. Rachel is present as someone from within the community, who understands that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and who is willing to work with folks on custom sizing and returns to make sure that people can wear pieces that are comfortable, affirming, and sexy. I have never had a better experience buying lingerie than with Odd Romp.”

In creating Odd Romp, Couch hopes to make slow fashion sexier and more sustainable, focusing on lingerie that is attractive, comfortable, and affordable. Choosing between a piece that is beautiful or one that hails from a small, fair business is the exact problem they hoped to solve. By creating a space that is safe for all interested and involved, while also utilizing creativity and local art, Odd Romp is a champion for intimate clothing.

Maternal Connection

Southeast Ohio doula establishes trust and care with clients

BY MOLLY WILSON PHOTOS AND DESIGN BY ZOE CRANFILL

When Brooke Miller leaves work each day as a teacher at Zane Trace Elementary School, she doesn’t stop teaching. Not only is she a full-time teacher, mom, and high school powerlifting coach, but she is also a doula — coaching, teaching, and guiding moms through childbirth.

“It’s just natural for me to want to do this,” Miller said.

Miller, a mom of three boys, had very different birth experiences each time. After the birth of her first son in a traditional hospital setting, Miller felt like she deserved more from childbirth, and it was her goal with her second pregnancy to take control of the experience.

Miller spent months researching and educating herself on common techniques used in childbirth to make the second experience more positive, and that’s just what she did. Taking control of the birth in a hospital setting was the most rewarding part,

she said, dedicating herself to having a positive and natural birth.

Inspired by a nurse at the hospital where she had her second child, Miller took the knowledge she gained through research during pregnancy and the techniques that nurse utilized to begin her doula certification. She knew she had to help other moms feel supported, empowered and in control of their child birth experience.

“Looking back, that hospital birth was one of my favorite births, that middle child, because I felt so empowered and I was able to do it by myself without any help,” Miller said.

Miller earned her doula certification in June 2021 and has attended 14 births since she began practicing. As of April, she is currently seeing two moms. According to Planned Parenthood, a doula is hired to support pregnancy, labor and birth. Doula’s are generally not medically trained and provide physical and emotional support

who, what, wear alongside information and resources to make informed decisions leading up to birth.

As the birth of her third son neared, which Miller had prepared to do at home, she educated her husband on common birthing techniques including breath control, positive affirmations and position variations. Without a doula present for her third birth, Miller’s husband took on that role.

“I was in my bedroom and my bathroom laboring,” Miller said. “I kept to myself and my husband was there but he was acting as a doula.

Being a doula is one of Miller’s passions as a natural when it comes to building trust within relationships regardless of setting. As a full-time teacher at Zane Trace Elementary School, the majority of Miller’s clients give birth during the summer when she is more readily available.

“I’m going to be your birthing bestie, and I’m going to be the person that your husband looks at when he needs to calm down or when he needs reassurance that everything is going to be okay,” Miller said. “I’m also the person that can keep people out of your hospital room if you need to. Whatever that mom needs, I am there to support them.”

between the family and her. After that process is over, she starts building a deeper connection through in-person interactions and virtual communication.

“There’s screaming and moaning and breathing through these contractions, and I’m there in the thick of it. I’m there helping support these moms through all of it,” Miller said. “They are trusting me to see them in that position of life and just bringing a baby into the world.”

Powell said through those in-person and text message check-ins, she and Miller developed a friendship, which made her birth experience even more positive because it didn’t feel like there was a stranger in the room, but rather a friend.

“I’m going to be your birthing bestie, and I’m going to be the person that your husband looks at when he needs to calm down”

BROOKE MILLER

In practice, Miller does just that. Kaitlyn Powell, one of Miller’s former clients who gave birth to her fourth child in July 2023, said Miller helped keep her childbirth as calm as possible. Powell’s daughter was coming faster than expected, she said, Miller using breathing, affirmation and distraction techniques to keep her calm while her midwife was en-route to her home.

“I had a beautiful birth. She was super supportive. When I was in pain, she was rubbing my back or keeping my husband calm or actually keeping me calm,”

When a potential client reaches out to Miller, she sets up an “interview” of sorts to get to know the mom and ensure there is natural chemistry

Building on her business as a doula, Miller is launching a new wellness company in June — Hyper-Habits Wellness. Designed to help not just moms but anyone lead a healthier lifestyle physically, nutritionally and mentally. Her expansion into health and wellness outside of childbirth was a natural evolution as Miller prioritizes those aspects of wellness into her doula practice.

“We were in contact throughout the whole pregnancy and honestly, it wasn’t even just about birth, it would be diet, nutrition, it would be life,” Powell said.

Allowing people to be vulnerable with her is what Miller loves. As she starts coaching people in lifestyle and wellness, she knows trust and vulnerability is an aspect of the business that will be just as important because clients will send before and after photos, allow her to help guide their nutrition intake and see them exercise.

“I’m a cheerleader in birth. I want to be a cheerleader for people who want to change their lifestyle and change their health outcomes,” Miller said.

MIDDLE

A look into Thread’s creative shoot concepts.

Cooking by Candlelight

The simple joys of dancing in the fridge light

PHOTOS BY HANNAH CAMPBELL DESIGN BY CARLY HART

toMylove

The Red String of Fate

Legend says we are connected to everyone we will ever meet.

BEST

BY ZOE CRANFILL

FRIENDS CAN BRING OUT THE INNER-CHILD IN US ALL

COMING OF AGE

Life doesn’t end after a milestone

PHOTOS BY DISHA HOQUE DESIGN BY RYAN GEE

SIX LOOKS

“I LOVE YOU”

in Spoken and Visual Language

PHOTOS BY NAIMA WOLFE

DESIGN BY AVERY CALLISON

LOOKS WE LIKE

CAMPUS CASUAL

Light-hearted reads for the quiztaking, listicle reading, horoscope believin’ spirit in all of us.

MAY HOROSCOPES P.110

QUIZ: Which words of affirmation are you?

BY SUSIE IANNONE

ILLUSTRATIONS BY LAUREN HINES DESIGN BY EMMA MCADAMS

Affirmations are the words we use to build ourselves and calm ourselves down, they have the power to strike joy and hope into hearts and minds. Many people have specific affirmations they use in times of need or perhaps for motivation, but not all affirmations are comforting thoughts we want to hear.

The question is, which ones do you need to hear? Take the quiz to find out!

How often do you hang out with friends?

a. Only when I have to

b. Sometimes, when I feel like it

c. All the time

What is the best remedy for a bad day?

a. Ice cream

b. Spa day

c. Movie night

After sending a risky text, you would…

a. Throw the phone across the room

b. Stare at the screen until you see a response

c. Delete the text

If someone made you upset, you would…

a. Curse at them

b. Voice your frustration calmly

c. Walk away

Where would you rather live?

a. In an Upper West Side apartment in New York City.

b. In a hidden bungalow in Palm Springs, California.

c. In a mountainside cabin in Karuizawa, Japan.

AIf you answered mostly A, your affirmation is “Look for something positive each day.”

Focusing on the negatives of life leads to pessimistic thinking and both inner and outer hatred, love yourself and choose to love others despite differences.

BIf you answered mostly B, your affirmation is “You are strong in mind, body, and soul.”

Being able to admit your mistakes leads to growth in the areas of your life you least expect, enforcing that you can create your inner peace.

CIf you answered mostly C, your affirmation is “Nobody is you and that is your power.”

Each person was born with a distinct uniqueness, and appreciating our differences from others solidifies personal perseverance and inner security for a lifetime.

May Horoscopes

BY EMMA BOWE ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARIS CORDIAL DESIGN BY GWYNETH SHOEMAKER

Aries: March 21-April 19

This May, an increase in hyperactivity will fuel your unstoppable momentum. You have a lot to say, so express yourself confidently, but be mindful of your intensity. If you channel your energy into enthusiasm rather than frustration, you can set big goals and leave big impressions.

Taurus: April 20-May 20

May brings revelations and rewards from past experiences. Let these results come naturally rather than attempting to make power moves. When you open yourself to new beginnings with optimism, they will unfold effortlessly.

Gemini: May 21- June 20

This month encourages you to embrace your heightened intuition and magnetism. Dive into opportunities for self-expression and personal growth. People may feel more drawn to you, so enjoy feeling like the main character, but stay grounded amidst the extra attention.

Cancer: June 21-July 22

You can finally take a deep breath after a period of being tested. If you feel trouble expressing yourself, embrace listening and learning from others. Reflect on recent triumphs and disappointments to determine whether to stand by your beliefs or reevaluate your plan.

Leo: July 23-August 22

Accept change, let go of control, and embrace vulnerability this month, Leo. You may notice that the need to be in control is inhibiting personal evolution. Travel, be spontaneous, and ride the waves of change to experience the peacefulness of radical acceptance.

Virgo: August 23-September 22

The month of May will push you out of your comfort zone and inspire you to seek new experiences. If life seems mundane, stimulate change to feel a newfound excitement. While the desire for change may feel impulsive, patience and moderation will guide you.

Libra: September 23-October 22

May brings an abundance of beauty in what you feel, attract, and experience, Libra. Don’t let doubts hold you back; greet the world with excitement and it will embrace you in return.

Scorpio: October 23-November 21

Brace yourself for significant shifts this month, Scorpio. Any insecurities, anxieties, and indecision are meant to challenge what you think you know as you strive toward long-term goals. Now is the time to dream up your ideal future and find practical ways to achieve it.

Sagittarius: November 22-December 21

This month, you are finding the courage to pursue your deepest desires. If you are questioning what you want in life, turn inwards for a journey of self-discovery. Luck will follow as you chase what makes your heart beat.

Capricorn: December 22-January 19

May brings increasing wealth and broadening horizons. You may have a revelation on how to align your goals with your spiritual philosophy. Acts of kindness and selfless leadership pave the way toward personal and financial growth.

Aquarius: January 20-February 18

Your creativity blooms with the flowers this month, Aquarius. You have been working hard, but it is time to break from your routine and reconnect with the unconventional. Embracing your one-of-akind nature will propel you forward into new and exciting territory.

Pisces: February 19-March 20

May is pleasantly surprising for you, Pisces. You may feel inspired to make a bold decision to become more aligned with yourself. While indulging in self-care and pleasure, be cautious of addictive tendencies. Embrace your newfound awareness and enjoy the unexpected nature of your transformation.

To Write Love on Her Arms

Making mental health awareness more than just a trend

BY SOPHIA NELSON ILLUSTRATIONS BY KIM LANGHIRT DESIGN BY MARIS CORDIAL

Living in the digital age, it’s easy to showcase public displays of support for friends and advocate for mental health awareness online or through clothing brands. According to Advocacy Focus, advocacy is important, whether it is for social justice, the well-being of general society, or preaching acts of kindness. Spreading positive notes of affirmation on social media and through clothing is just one way to spread kindness in modern society. However, being there for one’s friends is more than just a trend on social media. While these actions may come from genuine concern, they can also result in performative activism rather than genuine effort to make change, according to Global Brigades. Individuals must compliment their gestures with dedicated efforts to spread kindness through their actions. Often, individuals preach several golden rules on social media, but do they practice these actions daily? They may post things like, “Be there for your friends” on their Instagram story, but are they genuinely attentive to their friend’s lives? Are

they actively checking up on them like they preach on social media?

To Write Love On Her Arms, or TWLOHA, is a nonprofit organization that supports mental health awareness, self-care, and the acts of being there for friends. The organization is dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with addiction, depression, self-injury, and suicide. The message that TWLOHA presents on its page shows a positive impact, such as creating blog posts and podcasts to help people struggling with mental illness. TWLOHA has donated $3 million to mental health treatment and recovery since 2006, and it is meant to be a brand open to people with different life struggles.

The nonprofit sells trendy clothing, which can be a meaningful way to express oneself on topics of adversity. Wearing apparel that advocates for mental health supports a positive cause,

raises awareness on difficult topics, and creates conversations that should not stay at bay. Spreading positive messages through clothing expression and social media promotes love and resilience.

However, it is important to note that wearing clothes with inspirational quotes is not enough to show one’s character as a mental health advocate. Performative mental health awareness activism can deepen feelings of loneliness, as unfulfilled acts of kindness reduce issues to a hashtag that can be glanced at for a couple of seconds, according to The Daily Star. Quality acts of service towards friends and family are the positive changes in life that truly matter. The critical anticipation is not towards the organization but the people who mantle themselves in advocacy apparel who don’t practice the advocacy they wear daily. Making emotional mistakes is a part of our human anatomy, but it is essential to recognize that mental health challenges should never serve as justification for mistreating others,

according to Healthline. It is also incredibly important to consider that wearing clothes with inspirational quotes or posting mental health messages on social media should not cloak negative actions done to others and hold people who preach kindness to the same standard as everyone else.

Being there for friends and family help in finding purpose and meaning, according to Greater GoodMagazine. TWLOHA and many other mental health advocacy platforms provide resources for help and therapy, assisting in preparing people to be ready to start conversations with loved ones. TWLOHA aims to practice what is preached on social media and use trendy, accessible apparel to take advocacy beyond closed doors.

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ILLUMINATING INK P.132

Real Life Versus On-Screen

Media perception of sex and how it can alter real-life expectations

BY JACKSON MCCOY

ILLUSTRATIONS BY SOPHIA CIANCIOLA DESIGN BY MARIS CORDIAL

“Oppenheimer” came out almost a year ago today. Christopher Nolan’s 12th blockbuster film became one of the highest-grossing R-rated movies, as well as the highest-grossing biographical movie of all time, pulling in over $950 million. On top of that, Nolan and the crew behind the film received numerous accolades for it; “Oppenheimer” is Nolan’s most Oscarnominated film, and the movie took home big awards like Best Picture and Best Director. However, there was major controversy surrounding two sex scenes in the movie. In one, the titular J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy) has sex with on-again-offagain girlfriend Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh). During the scene, Oppenheimer reads from the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text, while in the

middle of sex. This significantly angered rightwing Hindu nationalists in India, who called the scene “an attack on Hinduism.”

The other scene that drew controversy takes place later in Oppenheimer’s life. As he gets questioned about his affair with the communist Tatlock, the scene cuts to his wife, Kitty Oppenheimer (Emily Blunt), before jumping back to a naked Oppenheimer testifying while Tatlock has sex with him.

The second scene created a lot of discourse about explicit sex scenes in mainstream movies like “Oppenheimer.” It drew many negative reactions and criticisms, and several people felt as if it didn’t fit in with the rest of the movie.

Despite “Oppenheimer” being an otherwise generally sexless movie, the two scenes left

many viewers feeling unsettled. Sarah Liebmamn, a film professor at Ohio University, said that after the #MeToo movement, many filmmakers limited the number of sexual scenes in films and TV shows.

“There’s a quality to them (movies) where there’s a lack of sensuality,” Liebman said. “There’s a lack of eroticism and I think that you know, even though obviously #MeToo was incredibly important in so many different ways, it’s interesting how sexuality has really taken a backseat in a lot of ways.”

Liebman said even though a lot of popular media like comic books have huge sexual components, recent adaptations lack this sexuality.

“In earlier Avengers films with Scarlett Johansson, the way that she is presented on film, it was very objectifying to her body,” she said. “But then, right now, at this point in time, it seems like it’s really sanitizing the sex out of these properties that have a lot of history of eroticism to them.”

The push and pull between sexually charged depictions of female characters and now characters with no sexual characteristics is a challenge for the film industry, Liebman said.

“We’re trying to find our way to make sexuality, you know, still present because it’s a part of all of our lives, but at this time, not exploitative, not voyeuristic and not objectifying,” Liebman said.

Those issues of how to represent sexuality often fall short when applied to characters of color. Asian women are often fetishized and treated as sexually submissive while their male counterparts are completely sexless.

Peter Shinkoda, a Canadian actor best known for his roles in shows like “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” and Steven Spielberg’s “Falling Skies,” told Variety in a guest column he rarely has a romantic or sexual partner when cast in a role.

“I have appeared in 60 film and TV projects. In almost every case, my character was unable to express any sexual or romantic desire,” he said. “In fact, in only two of my roles did my character have a love interest – however, both of these were doomed.”

In the 2020 University of Singapore study “White Hot Heroes: Semiotics of Race and Sexuality in Hollywood Ninja Films” by Phoebe Pua and Mie Hiramoto, this characterization of Asian men

was found to be prevalent. Not only did the study find that heroes and villains in American ninja movies were separated on racial lines (heroes were overwhelmingly white and villains were Asian), but the authors also found that white protagonists are commonly characterized as sexually desirable while Asian protagonists are not.

“Indeed, the image of the white American Hollywood ninja as physically imposing is one of the most effective enregisterment strategies of virile male heterosexuality,” the study said. “The muscular male body becomes visual shorthand for a hero, an exemplar of hegemonic masculinity. In both of the scenes discussed above, the virility of the white American Hollywood ninja is highlighted to enhance his heroic image.”

Black men and women are also portrayed in similar ways, Brian Stephens, an African American studies professor at Ohio U, said.

“When I think of characterizations of Black people, yeah, we tend to be represented as hypersexual, as fetish objects,” Stephens said. “There are examples of media that I show in my class (MDIA 4175) that work to complicate expressions, or articulations of Black sexuality. But yeah, those representations tend to fall within that binary spectrum of hypersexual, or completely undesirable.”

Stephens said the representation of Black people’s sexuality has historical roots stemming back to slavery.

“Black women in particular were vulnerable to sexual violence,” Stephens said. “And one way the master class attempted to rationalize that violence was through narrating Black women as hypersexual. As always wanting sex as in order to excuse that misconduct. And because I think it follows Black women into our contemporary moment, as well. Black women are more vulnerable to sexual violence because they’re understood as inherently sexually available.”

Those portrayals have made it into the modern era because of the psychological effects of slavery, Stephens said. Stephens also said not only do Black women face sexual violence, but they also are treated as lesser because they do not meet Eurocentric beauty standards, which leads to long-lasting repercussions.

“Black men, heterosexual men who are

conditioned in discipline to value white femininity over Black femininity, as a result of that,” Stephens said. “When Black men have historically been helpless in the face of white male violence against their against Black women, that does almost irreparable damage to relationships between Black men and Black women.”

Taking into account all of the different contexts when writing sensitive material like this is important in crafting quality movies and shows, Stephens said. Popular shows like “Euphoria” failed to handle issues surrounding race and sexuality in this way, Stephens said.

“I think there’s still a hunger for sensationalized depictions of young people,” he said. “I thought the series (“Euphoria”) was really clumsy and opportunistic in its representation of teenage sexuality. But I think that it was popular because there’s still a hunger for excess and for shock.”

Stephens also said a lot of the decisions to make the show run on the exploitative side were purposeful.

“(Sam) Levinson was really intentional and trying to implicate his audience in some of the violence and some of the situations that are being depicted and I think that was a really deliberate and salacious thing to do,” he said.

As an alternative to “Euphoria,” Stephens recommended the limited series “I May Destroy You.” He said it explores similar themes of sexuality, race and sexual violence in a much more sensitive and substantial way.

Considering all the ways portrayals of sexuality on screen can be done wrong, it is easy to see why they are avoided more often. However, Liebman said including sex in media is still an important thing for filmmakers and writers to do because until recently, exploring sexuality on screen wasn’t an option.

“With any type of art, there’s some reflection of how we live our lives,” she said. “I think it’s a natural part of what you might want to explore. I think that for many years in film and TV, you really had to be a lot more subtle in terms of what you implied sexually.”

What Exactly is Religious Love?

BY AIDAN COX ILLUSTRATION BY ALAINA DACKERMANN

DESIGN BY EMMA MCADAMS

Teresa of Avila, a Spanish nun born in 1515, had a radical view of Christianity. When thinking of love and religion, the mind often wanders to priests, monks, and nuns: people who have spent their whole lives devoted to their faith. They are often depicted as pious, chaste, and ascetic. For Teresa, though, the former is true, but the latter two are decidedly not. She experienced God in the form of divine ecstasy, a feeling that mimics orgasm. Devotion to her was not only a spiritual experience, but often a primarily physical one. While she was often criticized by the church for her personal and passionate connection with God as a woman, she continued to assert that religion is not about ritual acts or penance, but it is instead about the pleasant experiences had with God. To her, religion is about fulfillment.

In modern society, the vast majority of people are not quite so stirred by their faith. However, there are many ways to conceptualize deep religious love in our everyday lives. When love

itself is so hard to define, bringing religion into it makes the concept even more complicated. The definitions of faith and devotion require that love to be somewhat unrequited. When believing in God, it is essential to not expect anything in return, even if you ask for it. There is a sense that everything will work out the way that it is supposed to, even if it is painful in the moment, and that is where belief in God is required. However, many people report direct experiences with God, or even conceptualize God in more of a spiritual than religious way. In this case, God is a sort of conduit for all the love within people that is unlabeled and displaced. So, in a sense, religious love is also a form of self love.

Brian Collins, chair of the Religious Studies Department and a professor of Indian Religion and Philosophy at Ohio University, is vastly interested in the divine experiences that people have and how those translate to emotion. His office is full of books on esoteric rituals and colorful posters of various Indian gods. He

explained that he experiences religion in an academic rather than personal sense. In Medusa’s Hair, perhaps the most pertinent novel of its time in Sri Lanka, women are visited in the night by a God: Kataragama. Known by many to be the guardian deity of Sri Lanka, the women testified that Kataragama visited them in their sleep, engaging in sexual fantasies and treating them as divine priestesses.

“(It’s) something that happens to them in a sort of mystical experience,” Collins said. “Then there are people who, by sort of renouncing their sexuality or eroticism or desire, they use religion that way. Their celibacy is some sort of displacement of erotic love towards a nonhuman or non-material object, so that it’s never really completed or returned satisfied.”

Collins also touched on this by describing how some Indians perceive religious love as grief. It exemplifies the unrequited self love that religious love seems to display.

“In some versions, there’s a very sophisticated way of understanding love and eroticism and devotion through poetry,” Collins said. “If you think about those old movies, where the girl’s boyfriend goes off the war, and they write these letters back and forth, the absence makes the heart grow fonder. The love becomes very intense and pure, because it’s directed in a focused way but never actually satisfied.”

He went on to explain that loving yourself as a sort of conduit to God or some sort of manifestation of God helps people, especially in modern American societies, make sense of our individualistic culture. By understanding God or spirituality as an extension of the body and self, it becomes easier to practice self love.

Bea Traum, a third year journalism major at Ohio U, has had a more tumultuous path with religion. She was raised in the Catholic Church, even attending an all-girls Catholic school for her secondary education. To Traum, faith was more of a chore or a set of predetermined rituals which meant nothing to her.

“I mean, it sounds really bad, but I feel like everyone who I’ve talked to who has also gone through a similar pathway with Catholic school is that you can learn how to bullshit really well.”

The displays of piety in organized religion never rubbed Traum the right way. However, her view of religious love is nuanced.

“I think deep down, most religions have a truly loving base to them,” Traum said. “I think that once it becomes more like an institution, it becomes capitalistic. (The Catholic Church) makes billions of dollars that have been pumped into the priests who live there for free and then it’s like, okay, that’s where things get a little skewed.”

The rhetoric surrounding religious love is important to dissect. On one hand, the genuine spiritual experiences which affect followers of Kataragama, God, or any other deity or spirituality are intensely important to the participant. However, moving beyond the personal and into organized religion, there is a lack of both compassion and love.

“Religion emphasizes love, but love is already like something that’s present in the world … but I think that religion is a good way, or an avenue, which guides love into people’s lives in a more step by step approach,” Traum said.

Religious love, or devotion, is such a vast concept with so many definitions. It is both requited and unrequited, full of the self and selfless.

“I feel like that’s where English fails us, and that’s where religion has its own language,” Traum said. “The energy and the way to describe those feelings you can’t even examine in English. There might be better words in Greek or Arabic or something but we’re so limited in our capacity to describe feelings, and especially love.”

Like Teresa of Avila, people can only feel the ecstasy of devotion, not properly extend it to others. However, the uniquely personal, internal, and intentional drive to religion can cultivate an immense amount of self understanding, pleasure, bliss.

“Religion emphasizes love, something that’s present in the world … but I think that religion is a good way, or an avenue, which guides love into people’s lives in a more

BEA TRAUM

Connective

Far away relationships that go the distance

BY DISHA HOQUE ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALLY PARKER DESIGN BY ZOE CRANFILL

From next-door neighbors to flings crossing international borders, finding a connection with someone isn’t limited to area codes or similar neighborhoods. With 34.2% of romantically involved college students in long-distance relationships (LDRs), according to the National Library of Medicine, those connections are far from rare. Long-distance relationships can form both platonically and romantically and often require different communication and planning than partners and friends in closer proximity to each other.

Madalyn Blair, a junior studying journalism at Ohio University, has been in a five-year relationship with her partner. After attending the same high school and moving approximately an hour and a half away from each other for college, juggling the distance along with academics was a challenge, Blair said.

“When we were transitioning from [our] high school relationship to being away from each other in different colleges, [it] was definitely the hardest part,” said Blair. “We

were still younger and had to transition to a whole new change in both of our lives. College to high school is a big leap, and taking a partner along with you can be have its challenges.”

Adding on to the previous distance between the couple, Blair’s partner is currently studying abroad in Spain. This adds an extra challenge to communicating.

“I could be starting my day and still eating breakfast, and he’s thinking ‘Oh, I’m going out later tonight,’” said Blair. “There’s been some constraints and actual planning that has had to go on.”

Blair mentions remembering to text each other throughout the day and planning ahead to call during mutual free times has been key in maintaining strong communication.

Ethan Herx, a freshman majoring in media arts and studies at Ohio U, has multiple longdistance friendships. Although not romantic relationships, these friendships often come with similar challenges.

Herx maintains friendships from Indiana, Cleveland, Texas, and Minnesota. Similar to Blair’s relationship, they often must consider varying time zones when maintaining communicating with long-distance friends.

“Since (some of my friends) are a time zone behind, it’s a little bit harder,” said Herx. “Especially at this point in the semester, it’s been a little harder in the past weeks to keep up with them whenever I can.”

For Maia LeClair, a sophomore majoring in journalism at Ohio U, long-distance wasn’t an active choice when her best friend moved to New York, and instead felt natural for an already strong childhood friendship.

“I really miss that connection we used to have where we would walk out of school with each other, we would go and get coffee, she would come over to my house, we would hang out for hours,” said LeClair. “(We’re) not getting that inperson element anymore, so now it’s really on a digital level (where) we connect.”

Despite the challenge, LeClair mentions positives to this long-distance friendship that often don’t come with close-proximity relationships.

“We text every day, we’ve gotten to a point with our texting where it’s just the most mundane thoughts,” said LeClair. “I think that helps because

it always kind of feels like I have (my best friend) in my back pocket, like she’s always there with me.”

LeClair is not alone in her utilization of technology to maintain long-distance friendships. With 88.51% of participants agreeing that technology improves their LDR, according to a study conducted by Rochester Institute of Technology, technology and social media play

a large part in the success of these physically distant connections.

For Herx, remembering how strong their friendships were before moving apart often helps maintain them.

“I know the connection I had to them before it became a long-distance thing, just maintaining that is really important to me,” he said.

Olivia Rohling, a junior majoring in journalism at

Ohio U, also deals with missing her partner while away at school.

“One of my biggest mantras that I’ve tried to live by is ‘stop waiting for Friday,’ but when you’re in a long-distance relationship and the only time you can see your significant other is the weekend, it’s hard,” said Rohling. “That’s something I’m working on, I’m not going to say it’s easy, but we try.”

Rohling and her partner have been dating since November. She mentions understanding each other’s communication styles was an initial challenge at the beginning of her LDR.

“I’m on my phone all the time, (my partner) is not on his phone a lot,” said Rohling. “We’re still just trying to figure everything out, communication is key.”

Rohling mentions that prioritizing phone calls over texting has helped in her relationship’s success. She also said that setting clear expectations is a tip she would have for others entering an LDR.

“Have set expectations of what you’re looking for in terms of communication, because if you’re not with them presently, the only way you can be with them is through a phone,” Rohling said. “I had to sit down with (my partner) and be like ‘Yo, I’m not getting enough communication.’”

Despite those potential challenges and obstacles, LDRs have been successful and are often worthwhile. According to Gitnux, 10% of all marriages in the U.S. began as a long-distance relationship and 60% of LDRs are successful in the long term, similar to success rates in geographically close relationships.

Along with the success rate, LDRs offer learning lessons. Blair said learning to be content at school is an obstacle she faced in her relationship.

“I can have my fun and succeed and be happy with where I’m at, and so can he, and we can still come together when we’re able to and it works out fine,” she said.

Despite difficulties, it is the relationship itself that makes long-distance worth the effort.

“Long distance doesn’t have to be hard,” Rohling said. “It matters if you’re doing it with the right person that makes it easy to deal with.”

Representation for Asexual Relationships

BY LUCY RILEY ILLUSTRATION & DESIGN BY MADDIE JAMES

Sexuality is a complex spectrum, often condensed into a simple acronym: LGBTQIA+. There are so many ways of expressing oneself and their sexual orientation. Specifically, the “A” group of this acronym is one that does not receive a lot of light; asexual or, as some identify, “ace.”

Someone who identifies as asexual does not experience sexual attraction toward any individual regardless of gender. Being ace is a unique experience in a world where “sex sells’’ and many aspects of life relate to sexual attraction. Often, being asexual can put a person out of the mix, feeling their opinion on the matter of sex isn’t valid or even heard.

Much like other sexualities, asexual is an umbrella term. People may identify themselves as asexual, but that does not take away from their individual preferences. Although someone who identifies as ace might not feel

the need for a sexual relationship, they may still be interested in an emotionally romantic relationship. There are many different terms under asexuality that someone may identify themself with. An example of this is demisexual: someone who is only sexually attracted to someone after forming an emotional connection with them. Another identity under the ace umbrella is graysexuality: someone who is in a gray area of sexual and asexual.

Sexual discovery is a wild ride, one that may include an immediate understanding of preferences or a long journey of trial and error. Similarly, self-discovery for someone who is ace can come in lots of forms. Alesha Davis, a senior studying journalism and English at Ohio University, discovered she was not a very sexually driven person after initially identifying as pansexual.

She said her journey started when a friend questioned if asexuality was even real. Davis heard common themes of, “sexuality was just a part of being human.” Eventually, she discovered that she felt completely uncomfortable with the idea of dating and what dating might entail. After that, she identified as a lesbian, but after dating a woman, she didn’t feel that fit her either. She began wondering if the sexual aspect of a relationship just wasn’t for her. In a world where sex is often a hot topic of conversation, it can leave members of the queer community feeling left out. Davis discussed a time when she was sitting with a group of friends, all talking about their sex lives, and she felt there was nothing she could contribute to the conversation. Not everyone who identifies as ace may feel this way towards the topic, but no one wants to feel left out.

For those who identify as asexual but want to find a significant other for an emotional connection, it can be a very difficult experience. In a time of casual relationships and dating apps, it can make meeting someone challenging. College is a time for all kinds

of relationships, long-term, short-term, and casual; often whatever relationship someone is looking for, the bottom line is sex. Not only is it hard to find someone for a nonphysical, emotional relationship, but the pool of available people is also smaller in a college town.

“Either you’re upfront with that right away or it’s really hard to meet people,” Davis said.

There can be a very blackand-white line when it comes to dating in the ace community. On dating apps, asexuals face the choice of having to explicitly state what they want or to wait, risking so much by not being upfront.

As a person of color, Davis feels that coming out as asexual to her family was an added concern following how her family had already reacted to her previously coming out as lesbian.

“I’ve been told multiple times by my father that being in the LGBT community is a white person thing, which it’s not, obviously,” she said.

Already being put into the LGBTQIA+ category, and a person of color at a predominantly white institution, finding someone that might understand her is nearly impossible.

Davis said she has considered giving up on seeking a partner, as trying to find someone interested in being together without the aspect of sex has proven difficult. Just like any sexual orientation, people who are asexual can have romantic feelings and form a relationship around those feelings. However, it is hard to find a romantic partner willing to commit to a relationship without the sexual side of the relationship.

Asexuality can be swept under the rug for some or be the wrong identifying word for others. Plenty of people who would identify as demisexual or a variation of asexual don’t conclude that they are asexual. Those on the other side of the

pendulum identify as asexual and later discover themselves to not be ace.

Asexuality and asexual relationships are a representation of a significant but often overlooked facet of human experience. In understanding the spectrum of sexual orientations, it is crucial to recognize and validate the unique perspectives of asexual individuals. Despite any challenges they may face in navigating social expectations and stereotypical dating norms, asexual individuals deserve acknowledgment. In fostering acceptance and open dialogue, a more inclusive environment can be created where everyone can be seen and valued.

Illuminating Ink

The reasoning behind meaningful tattoos

BY LUCY RILEY ILLUSTRATION BY ALAINA PELLETT DESIGN BY TANNER VANCE

People get tattoos for so many reasons, in memory of a loved one, for their significant other, for friends, or even just for fun. Oftentimes, tattoos serve a meaningful purpose, one that reminds that person of someone or something that means a great deal to them. Commemorating a significant event or person through an etching on an arm or a leg gives them a reminder for the rest of their life, or at least the rest of the tattoo’s life.

Turning 18 is a big milestone, and one of the best ways to commemorate this milestone is by getting a tattoo. As soon as many reach this age, they have planned their perfect tattoo, maybe drawn something up, created a Pinterest board, or even just thought of something off the dome. According to the Pew Research Center, 32% of Americans have at least one tattoo. Additionally, 38% of women have a tattoo compared to 27% of men. Not all first tattoos are meaningful, but that’s not to say that people with tattoos don’t have one or two that match or have a powerful meaning. There are a few tattoos that almost always have a secret meaning such as a heart, an anchor, a pair of wings, or a butterfly. How heartwarming it is to see a pair of best friends with matching ribbons, a parent and child with matching hearts, or even a couple that has been together for years. Those who might be hesitant to get a tattoo only consider getting one or two

if they have meaning. That is the beautiful thing about these designs, that they can connect you to someone or something, and they can be just a fun way of expressing yourself.

The art of tattooing has meaningful origins, humans have practiced the art of marking their skin for thousands of years. The earliest known tattooing dates all the way back to 5000 BCE. From ancient Egyptians to Greeks, tattoos have been done for a variety of reasons, signifying both love and even protection against evil. The reasons why people get tattoos today mirror the reasons of those who originated the tradition.

The beauty of a tattoo is its permanence. Many express themselves through their fashion, their hair, or their music. A tattoo is a way to tell one’s story exactly the way that person wants to; it is a way to share experiences and parts of personality with the world. Whether that is literally wearing a heart on one’s sleeve or displaying a loved one’s handwriting.

Tattoos come in so many different forms and hold so many meanings and emotions, but they still hold a negative stigma in some cases. The upside is seeing this stigma and prejudice against tattoos, especially in the workforce, disappear. Who is to tell someone that they can’t get a piece to commemorate a loved one or cover up a scar? Tattoos are a wonderful way to self-express, connect with others, and they even serve as one of the best icebreakers. What better way to strike up a conversation than to ask about a peer’s bouquet of flowers on their arm?

Sex Across the Spectrums

What over-sexualizations looks like for non-binary and male-identifying individuals

BY SOPHIA ANNESS ILLUSTRATION BY EMMA MCADAMS DESIGN BY SOPHIA CIANCIOLA

Oversexualization of genders is seen across media platforms in today’s society. There always seems to be an advertisement, a movie or a photoshoot that displays the sexualization of a person that has nothing sexual about it.

Throughout the years, media forms of all kinds have portrayed sexual or suggestive images of all people, but it is most often seen when picturing women. Brands such as Calvin Klein and Abercrombie & Fitch have put out advertisements in the past depicting this tendency.

In 2023, Calvin Klein put out an advertisement featuring FKA Twigs in nothing but a jean jacket. Calvin Klein received a lot of backlash about the advertisement, and it even got banned in the UK for the sexual nature of the ad.

It is not just women who are sexualized. Abercrombie & Fitch used to be known for their sexual advertisements for men’s jeans. In 2015, the brand told Adweek it is moving away from its sexual advertising.

According to a study published in “Sex Roles: A Journal of Research,” 81.27% of women who model are pictured in a more sexual manner. However, that is not to discount the sexualization that men experience in modeling.

In today’s world, it is a common misconception that sex sells. However, it is not the sex the companies are necessarily selling. In a study done by John Wirtz, a professor at the University of Illinois, it was found that sex appeal is what gets people talking.

“We found that people remember ads with sexual appeals more than those without,” Wirtz said. “But that effect doesn’t extend to the brands or products that are featured in the ads.”

Instead, the effect creates unrealistic beauty standards. According to Health Works Collective, the more media people are exposed to, the more beauty standards affect them. Beauty standards have been around since the beginning, but with

the introduction of social media into the world, beauty standards affect more people.

A prime example of this is Victoria’s Secret, a lingerie, pajamas, and loungewear brand, whose models, known as the “Victoria’s Secret Angels” model the brand’s lingerie with angel wings in elaborate, sexy runway shows.

These models are extremely thin and forced to follow extremely strict diets. Many Victoria’s Secret models have been open about struggling with eating disorders such as anorexia. Bridget Malcolm, a former Victoria’s Secret model, spoke in her blog about her own experiences with disordered eating.

According to USA Today, Bridget wrote, “I’m thankful that the sheer insanity of being rejected over half an inch of gain (which was not enough to get my periods back, or stop my hair from falling out) was enough to get myself into recovery from my eating disorder.”

The negative body images are not only felt by the models on the runway but by the people who see them on social media and TV as well. The dysmorphia caused by social media and beauty standards is most prominent in females, but this is not to say it does not happen to males, as well. A study done by Chiara Rollero exemplifies this fact.

“In general, men seem to show lower body surveillance than women, but male adults are becoming progressively more worried about their physical appearance,” wrote Rollero. “This appears to be related to the growing tendency to objectify men’s bodies in Western culture, which increases body image concerns among men.”

Women are also consistently sexualized in other kinds of media. For example, “Anyone But You,” a recent movie starring Sydney Sweeney, portrayed her in an overly sexual way. In all of the scenes she was in, she was pictured wearing tight tops that showed off her breasts.

The romantic comedy did not warrant this type of clothing for every scene. It is a comedic movie with funny moments, but it is constantly overshadowed by the over-sexualization of the movie’s cast.

Society’s constant over-sexualization of people in the media is a problem. It affects generations young and old, and people need to realize how damaging it can be.

Fan Behavior

Hand fans speak to status and tradition throughout global history

BY KATIE MILLARD

ILLUSTRATION BY CARLY HART DESIGN BY AVERY CALLISON

AVictorian lady drags her fan across her forehead. “You have changed,” it whispers. She places it behind her head, signaling “goodbye.” Parisian fan maker Duvelleroy published a leaflet explaining all these secret signals in 1827, from twirling in one’s right hand – ”I love another” – to opening and shutting it, supposedly saying “you are cruel” in fan speak.

While rumors prevail that the “Language of the Fan” was used to send flirtatious messages using the accessory to communicate with various suitors, Ailsa Hendry disagrees. Hendry is the curator of the Fan Museum, a museum in Greenwich, London dedicated to celebrating the history of fans and fan making.

“We don’t think that those languages were ever made and used very widely,” Hendry said. “They were mostly done as kind of a marketing tool.”

Hendry and her coworker, Mary Kitson, the museum’s deputy director, said if the practice had been widespread then authors like Jane Austen, who frequently wrote about women in fan-wielding circles, would have likely included it in their novels.

In a talk with the Jane Austen society of North America, Kitson searched through Austen’s work and found only three mentions of fans, none of which detailed them as used for communication.

“She (Austen) was a conversational writer, she would have picked up on something like the language of something that was used,” Kitson said.

However, while fans may not have been used to send messages about if a lady was single or searching, the appearance of each fan did send a message.

Fans have been accessories for centuries. According to M. A. Flory’s “A Book About Fans,”

published in 1895, the exact origin of fans have been hard to track down.

Chinese fanmakers claim to have invented the accessory when the daughter of Lang-sin removed her mask at the Feast of Lanterns and used it to fan hearself, inventing the screen fan. A Japanese story instead credits the invention with the widow of a noble young man who cured a religious leader at the temple of Mieido from his fever by creating a paper fan. Other stories range from crediting Chinese Emperor Aseim Yuan who supposedly created it in 2699 B.C. to a legend bestowing the invention to the first ruler of the Chow Dynasty, Emperor Wee-wang, in 1106 B.C., Flory wrote.

More recent reports leave its origins just as difficult to cement, according to the Fan Circle International, a group dedicated to promoting research, interest, and education in the hand fan. Kitson is the honorary Membership Secretary for the group.

According to Fan Circle International’s online history of the fan, some of the earliest fans were discovered in Egyptian tombs. The tomb of Tutankhamun – colloquially known as King Tut – contained intricate fans made with ostrich feathers and gold. Interestingly, these fans matched those in the paintings on the tomb, implying they were for everyday use among ancient Egyptian royals.

Fans spanned many ancient societies, like pankhas, or hand fans, in India, with “pankha” translating to “feather” or “a bird’s wing” in Hindi. Roman women used fans too, as did Indigenous nations in South America.

The earliest Chinese fans found are bamboo fans dating to the second century B.C., but the Fan Circle International says early fans likely simply

back of the closet didn’t survive, as they were likely made of feathers. Eventually, Chinese fans were made of silk, and both men and women carried fans in China.

These fans were not only used to cool, but also for ceremonies and to shield one’s face when passing others of similar rank to avoid lengthy greeting rituals. While Japanese folding fans were introduced to China during the Sung Dynasty, or between 960-1279, they were initially seen as rarities to upper classes. In the 15th century, laborers and courtesans primarily used folding fans, signaling a lower class.

As time passed, Chinese fan makers began to also produce fans solely to export, although the Fan Circle International notes these beautiful fans were likely seen as “barbaric” and unfit for use within China.

“A lot of our Chinese fans, especially the older ones, were not fans that were made to be used in China, they were made as exports,” Hendry said of the Fan Museum’s collection.

The Fan Museum has a number of European fans, which also carried their own messages despite not being used to flirt or gossip as rumors suggest.

In the 15th century, fans were cemented as an accessory for the very wealthy in England, with Elizabeth I favoring traded goods from Asian companies delivered by the East India Trading Company. English and Dutch fans of this era were less sophisticated than French- and Italian-made fans of the same time. However, they still cost a small fortune, and the Fan Circle International indicates owning a fan was a display of wealth.

What was printed on a fan across European countries indicated a lot as well. Hendry said fans often had scenes painted or printed on them ranging from religious scenes to demonstrate faith or mythological scenes to signify someone was well educated.

“You also have some political items printed on fans, so we have found the Battle of Flodden on it, which shows the Duke of Cumberland victorious,” Hendry said. “So you can clearly see that fan is in support of the English rather than the Jacobites.”

After a triumphant reign for fans in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, they began to taper off in popularity in the 19th century as simple styles began to dominate European trends.

Fans especially declined in 20th century China with the Cultural Revolution, or when Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong feared mirroring the USSR and upended many Chinese cities in an attempt to revitalize the energy of the Chinese Revolution 50 years prior. The “Gang of Four,” which included Zedong, decided to destroy lingering elements of Chinese culture, customs and ideologies which predated the Communist Party.

In Japan, fans are still used in traditional ceremonies, dances, and storytelling, and a market exists for tourism as well.

While the romantic narrative of using one’s fan to flirt or gossip across a sweltering Victorianera party is likely more marketing than fact, fans still sent a message. Since ancient Egypt, fans have played many roles and their decor and intended purposes still tell a story of their subsequent times, even without twirling or flapping dramatically.

IN GOOD FASHION:

REALLY STRANGERS WE’RE NOT

BY BRIDGET REXHAUSEN ILLUSTRATION BY MIA PISHOTTI DESIGN BY RYAN GEE

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, many new companies are finding themselves skyrocketing to popularity as people continue to search for new ways to connect. One such company, We’re Not Really Strangers, also known as WNRS (pronounced “winners”) garnered the attention of celebs like Hailey Bieber and Penn Badgley in 2020 before going on to gain favor with the public through platforms like TikTok.

For those unfamiliar with WNRS, it is a card game centered on “the intention of empowering meaningful connections with others” says the company’s website. The game contains three levels of interaction; perception, connection, and reflection. Founder Koreen Odiney, 24, previously modeled before starting the company in 2018 to help others foster new connections and renew existing relationships. This mission is now something that continues to aid its success in recent years.

While the premise is certainly unique, it is not the only thing responsible for the company’s standout status. The brand is recognized for practicing the intimacy it preaches with its customers on a regular basis. Most notably, the WNRS Instagram account is now known for its community-centered model and inspiring quotes. Rather than followers tracking a company, the account thrives off shares, comments, and genuine interaction. One primary mode of marketing is a subscriptionbased messaging system. An article from Vogue quotes Odiney’s marketing stance, saying “Texts act as a form of storytelling and sometimes include discount codes and exclusive updates, but they are never heavily focused on product.”

This approach focuses on building trust with consumers rather than the aesthetic presentation of a product; it allows the buyer to form opinions based on the company’s reliability and dedication to their needs. Other features on the company’s website are minute, but clearly convey the authentic desire WNRS has to connect with its audience. One feature is the Quiz tab, which contains several short quizzes for users to better understand themselves and the people around them.

In April 2020, luxury brands took notice of WNRS’ success and reached out to partner with the company. Compared to traditional luxury partnerships, which rely on appearances and popularity, the initial collaboration between Coach and WNRS took a new direction.

The promotion drew on the card game’s credibility to draw consumers in and it was met with success. Following the initial partnership with Coach, WNRS went on to work with a handful of luxury brands like Valentino and Diane von Furstenberg. These partnerships also signify a change in how luxury brands interact with their clients moving forward. While WNRS is not the first company to give a voice to its consumer base, it is one of the few that has been able to influence larger brands to do the same. When it comes to deepening relationships, WNRS leads by example.

Despite springing to fame during the pandemic, WNRS remains relevant to building and sustaining meaningful relationships. Its active consumer base and TikTok popularity continue to draw new people in. As such, the game continues to release expansions that target different relationship types, and even has a pack focused on building a better relationship at the individual level. In an age of AI and digital tools, WNRS succeeds in reminding people of the importance of meaningful connections in their personal and professional lives.

Rant/Rave

Can Boys and Girls Really be Friends?

BY GABRIELLE CABANES ILLUSTRATION BY ELIZABETH DICKERSON DESIGN BY GRETCHEN STONER

For some, male and female friendships can often be complicated. The line between being just friends and secretly having feelings for each other can make things complicated and for some, sentiments, no matter the origin, can always lead to romantic feelings. However, the importance of these male and female friendships can’t be underestimated and being able to create friendships with people of different genders is essential to development and maturity.

“If anything, having these friendships should show signs of maturity and that they are able to build connections with people who may have different interests, beliefs or who simply live life differently than they do.”

The belief that men and women can’t simply be friends roots from the belief that every relationship between them is inherently sexual or romantic. The reality is that it is completely possible to be friends with someone of another gender without having these emotions. Not being able to trust one’s partner to be friends with

people of different genders reinforces insecurities within one’s own relationship with that person. If anything, having these friendships should show signs of maturity and that they are able to build connections with people who may have different interests, beliefs or who simply live life differently than they do. Furthermore, forcing your partner to remove certain friendships from their life solely based on discomfort with no foundation may lead to resentment from your partner and creates the unhealthy expectation that they must give up things important to them to make you happy. In other words, as long as nothing out of the ordinary seems to be going on, why make it a problem?

Although male and female friendships may not work for everyone, it is important for people to understand that there is nothing wrong with them. Just as what works for you may not work for other people, something you might not be able to accomplish may come a lot more easily to others and this does not always entail a subconscious motive. You can truly learn so much from being friends with people of different genders and getting a different perspective when speaking through issues is always nice. As women, it is just as possible to have deep and emotional conversations with other women as it is with men. These conversations can often make your friendships stronger. Friendships between different genders help to create more well rounded people and trusting that these friendships are solely platonic is part of establishing trust in relationships in order to be a stronger couple.