pittnews.com
February 14, 2018
2
Eva Louise Kreiser, sophomore, linguistics and psychology major
Caroline Vinci, first-year, undecided
Kreiser is a sexual assault survivor, but after her assault she struggled with what to call it.
Coming to college, Vinci heard a familiar statistic — one in five women experience sexual assault in college.
“A few months later I kind of came to terms with it and was able to get myself away from him, get myself help,” she said. She said after realizing what happened she could find “strength in it” and find “strength through recovery.” She has a little bit of doubt about being public with her story but said it “helps not only validate myself but also help to validate other people who have stories that are similar to mine.” “You’re a valid survivor and ... you’re going through hard stuff and there are people out there that are like you,” she said. There’s a storm brewing with more women “who have been silenced for so long [and] are finally coming out and having the power to say things,” she said. “And all these men who have been hurting people for so long are finally being held responsible, being held accountable and facing repercussions for their actions.”
SURVIVORS SHARE STORIES Percentages of undergraduate Pitt students who experienced non consensual penetration or sexual touching: 21 percent of women 6.2 percent of men 24.1 percent of TGQN* people - According to Pitt’s 2015 Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct. Percentages of survey participants who reported bystander intervention after witnessing sexual assault or misconduct: 50.5 percent of women 48.4 percent of men 32.2 percent of TGQN* people
She said a lot of women, like herself, think this statistic might apply to them, but “unless they were raped there’s nothing that they feel like they can say.” Vinci said she was having sex and her partner removed his condom during intercourse. Afterward, she didn’t know how to classify the act — known as “stealthing” — until she went to student health to get a screening. She said student health told her that stealthing — which some lawmakers are pushing to be legally classified as rape — is a form of assault. “Putting a label on it made it feel almost better for me because it wasn’t my fault that I wasn’t being safe or that I wasn’t being careful,” she said. “There was nothing really I could do in that situation.” She didn’t want to talk about her experience for a while because she was worried about being “slut-shamed.” And, as a first-year, she didn’t know many people that well — but she decided to tell her friend who was also a sexual assault survivor. She says it helped. “If something happens and it just reminds you of it, you can give them a look like, ‘You know what I’m going through,’” she said. “In those first couple weeks it’s really important to have someone to help you through it.”
TGQN* people were the most likely to think the University would protect the safety of the person making the report.
*Transgender men, transgender women, gender queer, gender nonconforming, questioning and not listed
Editor’s Note: A few weeks before any special edition comes out, the editors on staff try to come up with a theme for that issue. This year was no different, but it didn’t take us long to figure out what we needed to be talking about. Whether it’s the #MeToo campaign or Time’s Up, it’s evident our society is going through a major cultural shift in the way we talk about sex and consent — we are actually talking about it. I might not be the best authority to talk about this subject, but the people you encounter on the next few pages are. As our two-part cover alludes to, you never know who has a story to tell — so proceed with an open mind. -Ashwini Sivaganesh, Editor-in-Chief pittnews.com
February 14, 2018
Cover by John Hamilton 3
LAWYERS NAVIGATE THE INTRICACIES OF ASSAULT Hannah Schneider Staff Writer
Within the first 24 hours of the #MeToo movement going viral in October 2017, there were more than 12 million posts, comments and reactions made by 4.7 million Facebook users worldwide. The movement has since reached more than 85 countries, shedding a new light on advocacy for survivors of sexual harassment and assault. But the idea of supporting sexual assault survivors is relatively new. Most jurisdictions in the United States didn’t adopt variations on rape shield statutes — laws designed to protect victims of sex crimes during criminal proceedings — until the late 1970s. David Shrager, a Pittsburgh-based criminal defense lawyer, said the shift to consider survivors is needed — but that doesn’t mean the defendant’s rights should be forgotten. “The victims need to be heard, they need to have a voice, they need to be able to say what happened in a safe space where they can be respected,” Shrager said. “But at the same time, the [defendant] ... has civil rights and civil liberties in the Constitution of the United States.” The victim — considered a “complainant” in the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes — functions solely as a witness during a criminal trial. The plaintiff of a criminal case in Pennsylvania would be the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The only time a judge is obligated to believe the victim is in the preliminary arraignment, when a criminal defendant hears the charges against them. David Korman, a professor in Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and a lawyer, said people often criticize criminal law for not putting enough emphasis on victims’ rights, but the judicial system is designed in this way to protect the rights of the accused. “The Constitution does not talk about
pittnews.com
victims’ rights, it talks about the rights of the accused,” Korman said. “There’s nothing in the Constitution that talks about victims’ rights. And that’s because the system was written to protect us from an overpowering government.” According to Korman, criminal trials aren’t about whether a person is good or bad, or whether they deserve punishment. Rather, the question is if the Commonwealth can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did a certain set of acts at a specific time and location. He also said media and popular culture has perpetuated many misconceptions about sexual offenses. Pragmatic misuse in media coverage has created confusion surrounding definitions of “rape” and “sexual assault.” According to the PaCS, rape requires the use of threat or force, whereas sexual assault is defined as any act of intercourse without consent. David DeFazio, professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and a criminal defense attorney, noted the influence of media on the public’s perception, saying inaccurate representations of sex crimes in TV shows and media have caused jurors to have false expectations in criminal trials. Jurors tend to expect physical evidence in deciding the outcome of a case. However, tangible evidence, like rape kits, only prove sexual intercourse occurred. The important part in determining the guilt or innocence of a defendant is de-
termining
Pitt professor David Korman says some people are quick to criticize the judicial system for not putting enough emphasis on victims’ rights, while not accounting for the rights of the accused. Thomas Yang VISUAL EDITOR
consent or l a c k thereof in conjunction with sexual intercourse. According to Korman, determination of consent rests on the totality of the circumstances — a standard that encourages consideration of the context, the setting and relationship in concluding whether there is probable cause. “Did they know each other? Are there wounds? ... Was there a weapon used?” Korman said. “All of those things would tend to indicate it wasn’t consensual. You got to look at the totality of it.” One of the gray areas surrounding the totality of the circumstances lies within the difference between assent and con-
February 14, 2018
sent. Assent is an expression of approval from an individual. This differs from consent because an assenting individual may not be able to give legal agreement to participate in a certain activity for reasons pertaining to mental impairment, age or force. Mike Manko, the communications director and chief spokesperson for the District Attorney’s office, said factors determining consent are difficult to generalize since every sexual assault case is different. The priority for prosecuting attorneys lies in protecting the well-being of the victim. “The welfare of a sexual assault victim is extremely important when we are moving through the investigation and prosecution of a sexual assault case,” Manko said. To avoid confusion between assent and consent, Shrager said individuals See Lawyer on page 5
4
Lawyer, pg. 4 should look for “exuberant consent” in their relationships. While not legally required, it’s a “good benchmark.” “There is a possibility wherein two people are engaged in behavior, and one person completely believes it’s consensual and wanted, and one person feels uncomfortable about it, but maybe hasn’t said the word ‘no,’” Shrager said. “‘Exuberant consent’ ... means not only is the person not maybe saying no, or
pittnews.com
fighting or something, but they’re enthusiastically … wanting to engage in the same behavior as you.” Shrager said increased access to sociological and cultural information can be attributed to the shifts in interpreting consent across the world. “We’re seeing ... a cultural shift in what consent means, and what sexual harassment means, and what hitting on someone means, all these different things,” Shrager said. “We’re redefining terms and moving boundaries.”
February 14, 2018
5
PITT STUDENTS CONDEMN CATCALLING
Joanna Li Staff Writer
As a 12-year-old, Sophia Marshall stepped out of the house feeling confident in the outfit she had picked out that morning. As she waited for a friend by the local high school, she heard a sharp whistle from out of the window of a passing car — her first experience with catcalling. Marshall, now a junior business administration major at Pitt, recalled feeling conflicted at the time — a mix of validation and violation. It wasn’t until she came to college that the instances of catcalling became more frequent for Marshall — happening on the bus, her nightly walk home in Central Oakland and during her summer abroad in Paris — causing her to feel fed up. “I’m not your baby, I’m not your honey,” Marshall said. “You don’t know me.” According to a Cornell study, 85 percent of women experience street harassment before age 17 — and some women in Oakland are in that majority. Walking in groups of three or more, carrying pepper spray at all times and knowing a few selfdefense techniques are all tips in the back of the minds of some women who have experienced street harassment at Pitt. Marie Skoczylas, a visiting instructor in the Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies Program, offers a definition of catcalling and its effects. “Catcalling is singling out a target for sexual objectification and commenting publicly on that person’s appearance,” Skoczylas said. “It requires a sense of entitlement to pull a stranger into that kind of situation, knowing the advance may well
pittnews.com
be unwelcome and insulting.” Catcalling is part of the larger issue of street harassment. According to “Stop Street Harassment” — a nonprofit organization focusing on ending gender-based street harassment — street harassment can range from unwanted whistling to sexual assault. As Skoczylas explains, there’s a fine line between a pleasant interaction with compliments and harassing words that are disrespectful in nature. “Rather than taking the route of trying to criminalize behavior, I think we need to focus on a cultural shift, changing attitudes
really uncomfortable and I had my hand on my phone to call the police.” Carolyn Helenski, a sophomore communication science and disorders major, has experienced catcalling in multiple cities. She recalls an instance with her mom in Philadelphia that was particularly memorable, saying it was very degrading. “One time I was in Philly with my mom for the afternoon, and a young guy was with his friends on the street,” Helenski said. “When my mom and I walked by he said, ‘look at that nice, tight pussy in those pants.’’’
I’m not your baby, I’m not your honey. -Sophia Marshall so that we see each other as individuals to be respected rather than objects to harass,” Skoczylas said. Sophomore finance major Casey Maher experienced catcalling in Oakland one night in August. She walked to upper campus to meet with friends to watch a movie, but a friend made a last-minute cancellation. Maher found herself alone in an unfamiliar place. “Some guys pulled up next to me in a car and started yelling things out the window, like, ‘hey girl, get in the car, let us give you a ride,’” Maher said. “It made me feel
In this uncomfortable position, Helenski had an urge to stand up to the man, but her mom told her to act as if nothing had happened and just continue walking. “Catcalling isn’t pretty when someone is trying to embarrass or harass you,” Helenski said. “I went to say something, but [my mom] told me to just keep walking — which frustrated me because a woman I look up to more than anyone didn’t feel comfortable standing up for herself or me.” Other women in Oakland have experienced harassment from older men, not just fellow college students.
February 14, 2018
Morgan, a junior pre-pharmacy student who asked that her last name be omitted, was walking back from her class in the Chevron Science Center when she stumbled into one such case as she passed a few construction workers on the sidewalk. “As I got closer to them, I noticed that the one guy was staring at me,” she said. “Right as I walked by, the guy who had been looking at me a little too long turned his head and said ‘hey beautiful,’ and watched me as I kept walking Jordan Mondell STAFF ILLUSTRATOR down the street.” Morgan said she didn’t think much of the situation — she just smiled and continued walking down O’Hara Street to Fifth Avenue, enjoying the compliment she was given. “What was initially nice became super creepy when I was stopped at the crosswalk by Thackeray,” Morgan said. “The same man popped his head out of the passenger side of a white pickup truck and said, for the second time, ‘hey beautiful’ as his buddy kept driving.” To avoid another encounter with the man, Morgan ended up taking the longest route possible to get to her destination — an inconvenience for her to feel safe. While Marshall continues to take her chances striking up conversations with strangers, she said she draws the line between friendliness and street harassment at a stranger’s ability to read context clues on a situation. “I’m not trying to say that no one should talk to anybody else,” Marshall said. “I am saying that you need to respect my privacy, and that includes no shouting, no name calling.”
6
column
SINGLE AND READY TO STAY THAT WAY Vaibhavi Patria Columnist
It took me until my sophomore year to finally give up my need to be in a relationship. In the past, I constantly felt an urgency to date or be in committed relationships rather than casual ones. When I was dating people, I never truly felt happy and secure. But during the times I wasn’t dating, I felt I was missing out on the trust and reliability of having a significant other. But when sophomore year finally hit me, I realized how limited my free time was. I became a member of the executive
pittnews.com
board in my sorority, got an internship and became involved in research at Pitt — and no longer had the time I once did to spend on a committed relationship. I also realized the time I did spend in relationships didn’t actually make me feel happy — I could have easily spent it with friends and family who would have made me feel better. I always felt like I was missing out on precious memories with loved ones when I had a significant other filling that space. When I was caught in the dating game, I felt extremely dissatisfied — I pegged it down to a gloomy attitude or seasonal depression. But this feeling of discontent
while being in a relationship is actually way more common that it seems. In a study by the Bureau of Labor statistics, 50.2 percent of the American adult population was unmarried in 2014 — a significant increase from the 37.4 percent of unmarried adults in 1976. Valentine’s Day may be a lonely and miserable day for many single people, but it doesn’t need to be that way. A relationship is not a prerequisite for enjoying a love-centered holiday like Valentine’s Day — if you’re single, you still have all the reason to celebrate. Send some love to your family and friends, buy chocolate
February 14, 2018
See Single on page 13
Abby Katz STAFF ILLUSTRATOR
7
The Pitt News SuDoku 2/14/18 courtesy of dailysudoku.com
pittnews.com
February 14, 2018
8
The bittersweet life of
sugar babies
Remy Samuels
like, ‘OK! This is cool,’” Mildred said. “He came over and brought me a lot of stuff and I was like, With college tuition, textbook and living ‘Oh god he’s going to want something [from me],’ costs soaring higher each year, students face but then he was like ‘OK bye!’” Not all scenarios work out, though. Accorddaunting debts that prompt them to get creative with how they support themselves. Some turn to working at Starbucks, others to tutoring — and some even turn to dating. A sugar baby is typically a young woman who is in a romantic relationship with an older man — called a sugar daddy — in exchange for cash, gifts or other benefits. Most sugar babies use the website “SeekingArrangement,” or sometimes Tinder, to find these men. These relationships can vary from purely online or Snapchat interactions to getting dinner at fancy restaurants or “hooking up”— which differs from person to person. The sugar babies interviewed for this article all requested to remain anonymous for safety concerns, so their names have been changed for privacy. Samantha, a sophomore, first got started with sugar dating so she could stop asking her parents for favors. “I come from a very upper class family so I’m used to a luxurious lifestyle, but obviously I feel bad everytime I talk to my parents I’m usually asking them for money, so I’d rather ask someone else,” she said. Samantha’s decision eventually came with its costs and she stopped seeing one sugar daddy being to adjunct professor David Korman in the cause he wanted her to have his kids. “[One sugar daddy] just wanted to have sex Graduate School of Public and International and kept saying he wanted to have another kid Affairs, these types of relationships can quickly because he had a child and was going through become toxic. “There are some social science studies that a divorce,” Samantha said. “The way he talked about it made it seem like he wanted me to be his seem to indicate that power seduces the person surrogate or for us to get married and [for me to] who has the power to be more easily coercive of others, and less empathetic to them,” Korman have his kid.” This is just one of the many experiences said. Mildred said the men sometimes feel as that sugar babies have encountered with older, wealthy men. Mildred — the “least sexy” pseud- though they own the sugar baby because they are onym she said she could come up with — re- spending money on them and they can become counted an instance when she was sick and her possessive, which is dangerous. “I just added this guy on Snap and then he sugar daddy offered to care for her. “He was like, ‘I’m going to buy you groceries was like, ‘Oh can you snap me some pics?’ and and medicine and I’ll be over in like 20,’ and I was I was like, ‘No...’ because you gotta make them Staff Writer
pittnews.com
work for it so they’re more invested in you,” Mildred said. “He got so aggressive and asked where I lived and if he could come over.” Certain sites like SeekingArrangement try to avoid unfavorable outcomes by taking the pre-
Courtesy of Kiki and Mildred caution to background check members. Kiki, a junior neuroscience and psychology double major, who has gone on many sugar dates, said most sugar daddies are a lot more respectable than one would imagine. “Going into it I expected guys to be flippant and treat you like trash, but I think the whole point of being a sugar daddy is that they want someone to spoil and take care of,” Kiki said. “If they just wanted sex, then they’d get a prostitute.” Korman said the line between prostitution and sugar dating comes down to exchanging anything of monetary value — including gifts — for sex. “Prostitution is defined as engaging in sex as a business, so if there’s money exchanged specifi-
February 14, 2018
cally for sex then it’s prostitution,” Kornan said. “If money is exchanged for companionship and the sex evolves out of the nature of the relationship, then it probably isn’t prostitution.” Some date sugar daddies out of financial desperation, while others, like Mildred, just want to have the extra cash. Samantha also said she specifically goes out with sugar daddies whose net worths are more than $1 million because for these men, money isn’t an issue. “It’s really nice to have another source of income, but it’s hard because eventually they do want to have sex because you do build a bond,” Samantha said. “But like, I’m not sexually attracted to these guys, so it’s really hard.” Samantha’s mother knows about the dates she goes on, but her mom trusts her because she always takes the right precautions. “I always meet [sugar daddies] in public and I never get in their cars or anything,” Samantha said. “I always bring my pepper spray and I’m just smart about it. I think every girl should be.” Mildred also said she tells her friends when she’s going on a date with a sugar daddy in case anything goes wrong and she needs to get out of the situation. “I send the profile to someone who’s awake and vaguely available when I’m out so that I can text them,” Mildred said. “Other than that the plan is to fight and scream.” Kiki said she’s “kind of scarred” by an experience with an older man who brought money into the relationship, and is considering taking a pause on being a sugar baby. “At first it was fine, but then he would tell me how kinky he was and how he wanted to take me to sex clubs and basically wear me like arm candy and I was like no no no,” Kiki said. Kiki also said if she could give advice to anyone considering becoming a sugar baby, she would tell them to be very cautious of the people they interact with. “I would say be really, really careful with what you want,” Kiki said. “[Even] if in the moment you’re like, ‘Oh this seems like a great idea,’ you don’t want to put yourself in a situation where you can’t get out of it.”
9
pittnews.com
February 14, 2018
10
Seeking out safe sex in the
LGBTQ+ community Shahum Ajmal and Abigail Tesfay The Pitt News Staff
Abby Katz STAFF ILLUSTRATOR
pittnews.com
The average human being can only be so comfortable with openly discussing how to insert an internal condom, which is why organizations like the Rainbow Alliance come prepared with a prosthetic vagina. “You have to overcome that hurdle of talking about it at all in order to talk about safe sex practices,” Rainbow Alliance President Kate Shindle said. The stigma surrounding sex in the LGBTQ+ community still prevents many individuals from discussing safe sex or sex in general, Shindle said — but organizations such as the Rainbow Alliance,
the Delta Foundation and the Pittsburgh Equality Center have resources available for those who are seeking information about health and sex practices. Shindle, a senior biology major, said sex education for LGBTQ+ people is often portrayed as morally wrong and discouraged in formal settings, leading to miseducation, confusion and unsafe sex practices. “One of the big problems that the LGBTQ+ community has is that for as much as sex education is terrible for heterosexual people in this country, it is basically nonexistent for LGBTQ+ people,” Shindle said. Because of this lack of education, Shindle said the Rainbow Alliance tries to provide clarity on common misconcep-
February 14, 2018
tions — such as the belief that two women having sex are less likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases than a man and a woman. “When I came out, I knew that I was attracted to women, but I had literally no idea what any of that meant in terms of what any kind of sex would look like, or what kind of protection I would be needing,” they said. Shindle said the Rainbow Alliance strives to provide this kind of information to anyone who needs it. Their office on the sixth floor of the William Pitt Union is stocked with various resources, such as condoms and club officers willing to speak to anyone wanting more information about the logistics of safe sexual See LGBTQ+ on page 17
11
pittnews.com
February 14, 2018
12
Single, pg. 7 for your roommate or even for yourself and maybe even have sex if you’re in the mood for it. Studies show that single women are actually much happier and more satisfied with themselves than married women or those in committed relationships — especially for women in college, who are not at a point where they have the required time and energy for a relationship. Not only are women in college often preoccupied with their social lives, classes and other extracurricular activities to bother with relationships, but doing so could actually hamper their mental health. In a 2016 press release, the American Psychological Association said single people may have more active social lives than those in relationships where both parties are completely invested and absorbed in each other. In this way, singleness may actually lead to greater psychological growth. Rather than giving a significant chunk of your social time to one person, single people can take time to be with multiple friends and family. Instead of having one primary influence from a emotionally invested relationship, you have multiple diverse influences. Of course, this isn’t to say that relationships are always a bad idea. People move through stages of life at different paces, and what’s right for one person isn’t always right for another. But know that if you’re not in that relationship stage, you can still have the benefits of one without the commitment. And perhaps one of the biggest relationship benefits — boosting both health and happiness — is sex. Engaging in sex releases a variety of chemicals, making us feel confident and satisfied. It’s beneficial for your mental health by decreasing salivary cortisol levels, a common measure to reduce psychological stress. It also serves as a good workout, which is always good for your heart and other muscles.
The best part is, a serious relationship isn’t necessary to receive these sex benefits. There’s evidence that suggests single women are having more sex than committed women. Researchers from San Diego State University, Florida Atlantic University and Widener University compiled data over 25 years among about 26,000 people, and found while partnered people are having less sex than they were a decade ago, singles’ sex has remained the same. More than that, researchers Eva C. Lu-
“
While dating can be enjoyable and healthy relationships can offer valuable experience, a relationship isn’t a prerequisite for happiness or a fulfilling sex life.
pittnews.com
ciano and Ulrich Orth of the University of Bern showed relationships don’t even lead to higher self-esteem or a greater sense of happiness — in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Many young students throughout the nation believe serious relationships detract from their other endeavors, which may make them happier than a relationship. Lifestyle writer Leigh Tavernoff described the benefits of singleness in your 20s in an article for Today’s Lifestyle. “These years are extremely important: you’re meant to be finding out who you are and building a foundation for the rest of your life,” Tavernoff said. “You don’t want to get too caught up in someone else’s problems...and forget to be experiencing your own.” So while dating can be enjoyable and healthy relationships can offer valuable experience, a relationship isn’t a prerequisite for happiness or a fulfilling sex life. It’s all about what makes you feel happy and confident about yourself. Vaibhavi primarily writes about social justice for The Pitt News. Write to Vaibhavi at vap37@pitt.edu.
February 14, 2018
13
The Pitt news crossword 2/14/18 pittnews.com
February 14, 2018
14
The Pitt News
Editor-in-Chief
Managing Editor
ASHWINI SIVAGANESH
JOHN HAMILTON
editor@pittnews.com
manager@pittnews.com
News Editor
Opinions Editor
MACKENZIE RODRIGUES
HENRY GLITZ
news@pittnews.com
opinions@pittnews.com
Sports Editor
Culture Editor
GRANT BURGMAN
CAROLINE BOURQUE
sports@pittnews.com
culture@pittnews.com
Visual Editor
Layout Editor
THOMAS YANG
ELISE LAVALLEE
visuals@pittnews.com
layout@pittnews.com
Online Editor
Copy Chief
MATT CHOI
KYLEEN PICKERING
tpnonline@gmail.com
copy@pittnews.com
Janine Faust | Assistant News Editor Salina Pressimone | Assistant News Editor Sarah Shearer | Assistant Opinions Editor Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor Issi Glatts | Assistant Visual Editor Christian Snyder | Multimedia Editor Rachel Glasser | Assistant Layout Editor Amanda Reed | Online Engagement Editor
pittnews.com
Kim Rooney | Assistant Copy Chief
Editorial Policies
Single copies of The Pitt News are free and available at newsstands around campus. Additional copies can be purchased with permission of the editor in chief for $.50 each. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the students, faculty or University administration. Opinions expressed in columns, cartoons and letters are not necessarily those of The Pitt News. Any letter in tended for publication must be addressed to the editor, be no more than 250 words and include the writer’s name, phone number and University affiliation, if any. Letters may be sent via e-mail to let-
ters@pittnews.com. The Pitt News reserves the right to edit any and all letters. In the event of multiple replies to an issue, The Pitt News may print one letter that represents the majority of responses. Unsigned editorials are a majority opinion of the Editorial Board, listed to the left. The Pitt News is an independent, studentwritten and student-managed newspaper for the Oakland campus of the University of Pittsburgh. It is pub- lished Monday through Friday during the regular school year and Wednesdays during the summer. Complaints concerning coverage by The Pitt News, after first being brought to the
editors, may be referred to the Community Relations Committee, Pitt News Advisory Board, c/o student media adviser, 435 William Pitt Union, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15260. The editor in chief has the final authority on editorial matters and cannot be censored, according to state and federal law. The editor in chief is selected by the Pitt News Advisory Board, which includes University staff, faculty and students, as well as journalism professionals. The business and editorial offices of The Pitt News are located at 434 William Pitt Union, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15260.
Business Manager JILL BALDAUF advertising@pittnews.com
Sales Manager MATTHEW HOUCK
Marketing Manager KATIE BOZZO
Production Manager MAYA PUSKARIC
Copy Staff Amanda Sobczak Alexa Marzina Kelsey Hunter Aleeza Furman Brian Murray
Account Executives
Mia DiFelice Kelsey Hunter Bridget Duffy Pooja Krishnan Adrea Michael
Rachel Buck Kavi Galal Isabel Scrabis James Gavaghan Andrew Restrepo Dave Barone Paige Franjione Sean Hennessy
Adrinna Moyer
February 14, 2018
15
pittnews.com
February 14, 2018
16
LGBTQ+, pg. 11 practices in the LGBTQ+ community. “Especially, if you are an LGBTQ+ individual who is closeted from your parents or is trying to hide it, you’re not going to go out of your way to find those resources,” Shindle said. As a coordinator at the Pittsburgh Equality Center, part of Parker Howard’s job is to educate the LGBTQ+ community on topics like safe sex practices, in addition to providing access to more information through resources such as their LGBTQ+-specific library — which is the second largest of its kind in the United States. Howard, a 21-year-old South Side resident, referenced the need for such resources because of a major education gap, where LGBTQ+ individuals are often not informed about safe sex until well after they have become sexually active and informed through the community. The quality of sex education varies highly from school to school, but often focuses primarily on heterosexual relationships rather than LGBTQ+ sex practices. “Sex is seen as a bad thing and a moral thing, something that people shouldn’t be told about till they’re older,” he said. “But by the time that they’re that old, they don’t learn anything anyway, and they’ve probably already had sex by that point.” With limited opportunities for sexual education, it’s sometimes difficult for members of the LGBTQ+ community to access new and available resources such PrEP, an HIV prevention drug. PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis — a drug that alters antibodies and T-cell functioning to make the body less receptive to the HIV virus. “It’s a preventive form of HIV combatant,” he said. “You take it before it happens, so it’s less likely to happen.” To spread the word about preventative medicines like PrEP, and other health care needs that may go unnoticed in the LGBTQ+ community, organizations like the Delta Foundation — an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in Pittsburgh — work with health care providers to make sure individuals have access to these resources. Christine Bryan, director of marketing at the Delta Foundation, said the most important aspect of practicing
pittnews.com
safe sex and health practices is finding a health care provider that the patient can share everything with. According to Bryan, 51, from Robinson, finding a physician with whom a patient is comfortable sharing the extent of their sexual orientation and history is the first step in getting proper health care. “Your doctor is kind of like your attorney — they need to know everything about you,” Bryan said. Bryan said one of the Delta Foundation’s key initiatives is working to identify health care providers in Pittsburgh
who are culturally competent — meaning they understand the LGBTQ+ community enough to use proper lingo and meet their patients’ needs. “Lots of doctors will say that they’re LGBTQ+-friendly, but that’s different than being culturally competent,” she said. Bryan said many LGBTQ+ individuals may not be comfortable speaking to the family doctor they grew up with about their sexual orientation or gender identity, making it imperative that those individuals find a physician with whom they
February 14, 2018
feel comfortable. Not only does Bryan encourage individuals to seek out information on their own through resources on the internet and organizations such as the Delta Foundation, Planned Parenthood and Central Outreach Wellness Center, but she also suggests they advocate for themselves to access the proper health care they deserve. “You have to be an active participant in your health,” she said. “You can’t wait, or expect the other person that you’re with to be the person in charge.”
17
I N D E X
Rentals & Sublet • NORTH OAKLAND • SOUTH OAKLAND • SHADYSIDE • SQUIRREL HILL • SOUTHSIDE • NORTHSIDE • BLOOMFIELD • ROOMMATES • OTHER
For Rent North Oakland 3764 Bigelow Blvd, 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, newly renovated. Equipped kitchen, balcony, washer and dryer provided. Single garage. Alarm system. Central air-conditioning. $1300+. Available August 2018. Call 412-600-6933. Awesome and affordable studio, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments close to campus- renting for Summer 2018 move in. Find your perfect home- call for more info and a tour! 412-441-1400
South Oakland 3 & 4 Bedroom Apartments on Semple, Bates, & Juliet. August availability. $1425-$2600. Call John CR Kelly Real-
pittnews.com
Employment • CHILDCARE • FOOD SERVICES • UNIVERSITY • INTERNSHIPS • RESEARCH • VOLUNTEERING • OTHER
ity. 412-683-7300 Visit: www.jcrkelly. com
3 Bedroom & 1.5 Bath House for rent. 2 car garage. Full house air conditioning, dish washer, self-cleaning oven, full basement. Steps from campus shuttle. Back deck over garage with view. $1650+ utilities. August 2018. Call 412-736-8095.
3, 4, 5 bedroom. Free laundry on premises, separate utilities. Available August 1st. 412-334-8804.
4 Bedroom 1 Bath House. Large kitchen, new windows and paint. Security System. Available August 16th. Bates and Semple. $1,600 + Utilities. 412-287-5406. Leave a message.
Classifieds
For sale
• AUTO • BIKES • BOOKS • MERCHANDISE • FURNITURE • REAL ESTATE • PETS
services
• EDUCATIONAL • TRAVEL • HEALTH • PARKING • INSURANCE
South Oakland 4 BR HOME - SEMPLE STREET, LOCATED NEAR LOUISA. EQUIPPED KITCHEN, FULL BASEMENT. NEW CENTRAL AIR ADDED. RENTING FOR AUGUST 2018. (412) 343-4289 or 412-330-9498. Apartments for rent. 2, 3, and 4 bedroom apartments available. Some available on Dawson street, Atwood street, and Mckee Place. Newly remodeled. Some have laundry on site. Minutes from the University. For more info please call Mike at 412-849-8694
Before signing a lease, be aware that no more than 3 unrelated people can share a single unit. Check property’s compliance
notices
• ADOPTION • EVENTS • LOST AND FOUND • STUDENT GROUPS • WANTED • OTHER
with codes. Call City’s Permits, Licensing & Inspections. 412-255-2175.
R A T E S
Insertions
1X
2X
3X
4X
5X
6X
1-15 Words
$6.30
$11.90
$17.30
$22.00
$27.00
$30.20
+ $5.00
16-30 Words
$7.50
$14.20
$20.00
$25.00
$29.10
$32.30
+ $5.40
(Each Additional Word: $0.10)
Deadline:
Two business days prior by 3pm | Email: advertising@pittnews.com | Phone: 412.648.7978
and/or parking. August availability. 412-445-6117.
Studio & 1 BedFurnished apartment for rent. 2BR available immediately. Rent includes all utilities except electric and is dependent upon number of tenants. Convenient to schools and hospitals. Call Nancy for appointment 412-681-7201.
Add.
rooms Available Fall 2018. Heat included. 412-261-4620.
Squirrel Hill The best studio, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments in town- for the best prices! Close to buses, shopping and great restaurants. Renting for Summer 2018 move in. Call today! 412-441-1400
Ward & S. Bouquet Streets Studio, 1, 2 & 3BR apartments. Free parking. Move in May 1 or Aug. 1, 2018. Call 412-361-2695
M.J. Kelly Realty. Studio, 1, 2, 3 and 4 Bedroom Apartments, Duplexes and Houses. N. & S. Oakland from $750-$2500. mjkellyrealty@gmail. com. 412-271-5550. www.mjkellyrealty. com
Stunning 2, 3 and 5 bedroom duplexes on tree lined residential streets. Available Summer 2018. Features may include hardwood, granite,
porch, A/C, parking, laundry. Near buses, shopping and restaurants! 412-441-1400
Shadyside A variety of beautiful studio, 1 and 2 bedroom apartment homes- available Summer 2018. Features may include granite, hardwood, parking, and laundry. Close to restaurants and shopping. Call today! 412-441-1400
Employment Research Studies Participants Wanted for Paid Psychology Research Participants wanted for an alcohol research study at Carnegie Mellon University To be eligible for this study, you must: •Be 21-25 yrs. old and own a smartphone •Drink alcohol at least weekly
STUDENT HOUSING. Updated 4, 5 & 6 Bedroom Houses w/ multiple baths. Dishwasher, laundry, some w/ air conditioning
February 14, 2018
18
•Be able to show valid photo ID •Be willing to consume alcohol
Employment Other
free parking. $13/hour plus generous season end bonus. Mozart
You may earn up to $365 for your participation in this multi-session study. For more information, call The Behavioral Health Research Lab (412-268-3029) Note: Unfortunately, our lab is not wheelchair accessible.
OFFICE INTERN
Management
Shadyside Manage-
412-682-7003.
ment Company seeks
thane@mozartrents.
person w/min 2 yrs.
com
college, for upcoming spring semester to interview & process rental applicants, do internet postings & help staff our action-central office.
Employment Other Comfort Keepers, a Post-Gazette Top Workplace, is seeking caring individuals. Caregivers work alongside seniors to provide companionship, light housekeeping, personal care services. Flexible hours available. If interested call 412-363-5500
Guardian Angel Ambulance is actively seeking EMTs and Medics. Immediate openings. Flexible schedules. Apply in person 700 Lebanon Road, West Mifflin or email guardianangelambulance@msn. com. 412-462-1400
Part-time or full time. AVAILABLE NOW; full time over summer. $13/hour.
Health Medical and Heart Care, Students Welcome, 155 N. Craig Street, Dean Kross, MD, 412-687-7666
Perfect job for current sophomores & juniors, graduating seniors set to enter grad school, returning grad students, and first-year law students! Mozart Management 412-682-7003 thane@ mozartrents.com
Seasonal Marketing Assistant
Parking GARAGE PARKING available in the heart of Oakland. Protect your car while parked. Only $80/month! Call 412-692-1770.
Services Other
Shadyside property management firm established in 1960 needs two Seasonal Marketing Assistants to work with Excel, Word and the internet from approximately
Phlebotomy Training Centerwww. justphlebotomy.org 2 evening classes weekly, 5 weeks + excellent Clinicals. Call 412-521-7334.
NOW to August; four days/week from
Join KEYS Service Corps, AmeriCorps. Mentor, tutor, and inspire Pittsburgh area youth. Summer and fall positions with bi-weekly stipend and education award. Full and part-time. Possible internship credit. Call 412-350-2739. www.keysservicecorps.org
Services
9am-6pm. Saturday and/or Sunday hours a must; some flexibility
Notices Adoption
in days and hours will be considered; most hours will be solitary on the computer with no phone work; 40 words per minute and strong computer skills required; no experience needed & we will train you at
Endless love, travel, music & dance all await your precious baby. Dedicated teacher yearns to be stay at home mom. Expenses paid. 877-696-1526.
our Shadyside office;
pittnews.com
February 14, 2018
19
pittnews.com
February 14, 2018
20