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| THE CHRONICLE |
FEBRUARY 13, 2012
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hough we may be biased for saying so, The Chronicle is made up of a bunch of sexy people. Why deny it? Why go on living sheltered, unsexy lives? The sex issue is our time to shine. There’s nothing like a week of writing about sex to find out who your co-workers really are. We discovered who was most willing to strip down for our cover photo shoot (some a little too eager), swapped tales—good and bad— of personal sex-capades and got a little too comfortable with constantly shouting sex-ridden puns across the office. We are writers, after all. As college students, we know what’s really on everybody’s mind. And with all the sexiness Columbia has to offer, we can
only imagine those thoughts are constantly multiplying. Our writers have been up day and night banging out stories we hope will stimulate your senses and arouse your curiosity. Because if there’s a sexy thought on your mind, we’ve thought about it too, and we are here to write about it. While we make our stories from week to week as sexy as possible, this issue gave us the chance to really hone in on the sexiest of topics. From vegan condoms to lady porn to sexy myth busting, like always, we’ve got you covered.
Pg 4 pg.4
Yours in sexiness, The staff of The Columbia Chronicle, the newspaper that always likes to be on top.
chronicle THE COLUMBIA
www.ColumbiaChronicle.com
Management Brianna Wellen Editor-in-Chief Sam Charles Managing Editor Luke Wilusz Managing Editor Ren Lahvic Ad & Business Manager Erik Rodriguez Art Director Copy Amber Meade Copy Chief Brian Dukerschein Copy Editor Lauryn Smith Copy Editor Photo Sara Mays Senior Photo Editor Tiela Halpin Photo Editor Ting Shen Photo Editor Brent Lewis Photo Editor/ Multimedia Editor Graphics Zach Stemerick Senior Graphic Designer Edward Kang Graphic Designer Damaly Keo Graphic Designer Heidi Unkefer Graphic Designer
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Advertising Sean Campbell Senior Ad Account Executive Sylvia Leak Ad Account Executive Nicholas Lobberecht Ad Account Executive Writers Trevor Ballanger Sophia Coleman Brian Dukerschein Aviva Einhorn Emily Fasold Tiela Halpin Aspyn Jones Alexandra Kukulka Amanda Murphy Joel Pompea Gabrielle Rosas Lisa Schulz Senior Staff Chris Richert General Manager Jeff Lyon Faculty Adviser Stephanie Goldberg Assistant Faculty Adviser
The Chronicle is a student-produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of college administrators, faculty or students. All text, photos and graphics are the property of The Chronicle and may not be reproduced or published without written permission. Views expressed in this publication are those of the writer and are not the opinions of The Chronicle, Columbia’s Journalism Department or Columbia College Chicago.
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THE SEX ISSUE | FEBRUARY 13, 2012 | THE CHRONICLE | 3
Q &AA:
Sex with the student body
by Trevor Ballanger Assistant Arts & Culture Editor and Sophia Coleman Assistant Arts & Culture Editor * Some of the names have been changed in the interests of privacy
The Chronicle: Have you ever used any foods or toys in bed? How did it go?
The Chronicle: Where’s the craziest place you’ve had sex?
Ice cubes. Is that a food? Anyway, it was awesome. –Alex
On a plane. Everybody knew it was going on. It was with my boyfriend at the time. We were planning it the whole trip. It was a little awkward [deplaining]. There was turbulence, [and] I was convinced I caused [it]. –Courtney
Nutella. It doesn’t work. It was used on the chest. It doesn’t clean off very well, it’s too oil based. Nothing sexual came out of it. It’s better on toast. –Matt It depends on the situation. It happened three times. If you use a banana, that’s fine because you can take the skin off. With the cucumber, it’s like, OK, I can kind of do what I please with it because you can cook it. With a pear, no, absolutely not because it’s something that you do not cook. –Brandon I used Nutella once. I was like “Well, we are here, the Nutella is here, [so] might as well use it.” I put it on myself [on top] and he licked it off. Putting it anywhere on the bottom would be messy. –Alex #2 Melted chocolate. The chocolate you put on ice cream. You put it on his genitals so it tastes nice. –Ava An ex-boyfriend completely surprised me with a vibrating cock-ring. It blew my mind. I was like, ‘We’re probably going to have to use that a lot.’ –Shannon
The Chronicle: What’s the most embarrassing—but funny—situation involving sex that you can think of? The Iron Horse. This needs a demonstration. It’s something that when my ex was going out with another dude she used to date a long time ago—their sex life got very boring—so they devised a test of faith with a sex act called the Iron Horse. What you need to do is have a bed with a headboard, a football helmet with a receiver and a lot of room, about 50 to 75 yards. –Brandon
Mall restroom. It was a family restroom. It was weird. Not my idea. I don’t like to discuss it. –Adam [It was on the] roof of a school. My boyfriend always used to go up there. It was at night, kind of romantic.–Danielle I have a list: In a lake, on a boat and in a tent. –Jennifer Airplane. It’s not very comfortable and it’s not even sexy. We just did it because it’s cool. We did it twice actually. First time was a total failure. Second time he got a happy ending, at least. –Ava My boyfriend was housesitting and we stayed there for like four days or something. We did it in like every room of their house. We did clean up afterwards. –Shannon
The Chronicle: What’s an embarrassing story involving sex that you don’t mind sharing? Have you seen American Psycho? You know how he’s having sex with this girl and he looks at himself in the mirror? That happened to me. –Danielle I had sex in a church once. The janitor walked in and was like “What’s going on in there?” It was embarrassing. I really wanted to have sex in a church, and it was only a couple blocks away from my house, so I did it. –Courtney
It was actually my first sexual encounter at the time. And we’re in the back of my car messing around as most high school kids do, and I’m getting a hand job. And I just belted out laughing, and obviously that embarrasses the girl. She’s like, ‘Brian, why are you laughing?’ And I said, ‘It feels like you’re milking me!’ –Brian
The Chronicle: What’s your number of sexual partners? Yesterday, me and my friend made a list for memory’s sake. I think it’s about seven.–Jennifer Twenty maybe? I don’t really want to think about how many, but let’s say 20. –Ava 23? It’s more than 20. –Josh
The Chronicle: Have you ever been in a group sex situation? Yes and no. A friend and I kind of shared someone at a party. It was kind of back and forth. One second he was on me, and the next second he was on him. I guess that’s a threesome. We were kind of like a taking turns kind of thing. –Josh
The Chronicle: What’s your favorite position? I’m more of an ass-man. I’d say ‘doggy.” I just enjoy it more. –Tim Riding, because I like to look down on him and then I feel kind of superior. –Ava
The Chronicle: Have you ever had an audience? One girl, a girl was watching. She was a close friend of ours. It wasn’t that she wanted to. We didn’t really stop it from happening. We were all super drunk, we were all out on my patio. It just kind of kept happening while our female friend watched. –Josh
mood
music A 4 play List The xx – “Stars” Album: xx - 2009
The bass intro, the sultry vocals of Oliver Sim and the intricately layered instruments all create an incredibly sexy sound, perfect for naughty time. Lyrics like , "And I can draw the line on the first date, I'll let you cross it, Let you take every line I've got," instantly gets something going on in your knickers. And hey, it doesn’t hurt that the song is actually about having sex.
Marvin Gaye – “Lets get it on” Album: Let’s Get It On - 1973 I can picture it now: Trails of loosely tossed rose petals lead to my down pillows, sensual cinnamon candles highlight my bedroom’s edges with spontaneous flickers of warm light, my maroon bath robe covers only the essentials, a freshly lit tobacco pipe excretes the scent of peaches—a faint train of its smoke billows toward the mirror-covered ceiling, and the stimulating vibrato of Marvin Gaye echoes beneath the crack of my bedroom door. It doesn’t get any sexier than 70s funk.
Cazwell – “All Over my Face-” Album: Get Into It - 2006 While I’ve never played music during my lovemaking, if I were to choose a song I’d have to go with this cheeky number from the rapper Cazwell. With lyrics like, “Your exact words were ‘rock me’ and so I did some bukake, don’t stop me,” one cannot help but feel inspired.
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| THE CHRONICLE |
FEBRUARY 13, 2012
h no global love
NO GLOVE,
by Alexandra Kukulka Assistant Campus Editor
Y
our sweetheart of four years is finally ready to have sex with you. She agrees that Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to solidify your love. You take her upstairs after a romantic dinner and lead her to a bedroom covered in roses. With both of you in your next-to-nothings, she asks if you have a condom. When she asks you this question, be thankful that you have the opportunity to buy condoms because not every man can. Sir Richard’s Condom Company has launched an envoy program to teach college students about a global shortage of condoms and spread the message of safety and responsibility when it comes to sex. The program was launched in February, the same month the American Social Health Association (ASHA), an organization that teaches Americans about sexually transmitted infections and prevention, declared National Condom Month. Condoms come in different shapes and sizes, but Sir Richard’s has created vegan condoms, which are free of the dairy product casein, according to Jordan Byrnes, public relations representative at Sir Richard’s. The vegan condom reaches out to a specific demographic and helps vegans continue their chosen lifestyle in every way, he adds. Byrnes describes the company as the Toms Shoes of condoms. “Sir Richard’s is ‘a buy one, get one’ company,” he says. “For every condom purchased, [the company] donates to people in developing countries. The first drop will be later this spring in Haiti.” To become part of the envoy program, students have to register online and fill out a questionnaire. After reviewing each student’s answers, Sir Richard’s will PHOTOS BY SARA MAYS interview that individual
via Skype to complete the process of becoming an envoy, according to Byrnes. “The company will supply each envoy with condom samples to pass out [and] educational materials that they can take to campus events or concerts, just to spread the message of safety and sexual health,” he says. There are 20 universities with student envoys enrolled, including San Francisco State University, Simmons College in Massachusetts and Ohio Wesleyan University, Byrnes says. Abigail Godfrey is an envoy at Ohio Wesleyan who stumbled upon the website and thought the program was interesting, so she emailed the company to learn more. Godfrey became an envoy in Spring 2011, before the launch of the program. Since then, she has attended campus functions such as a Slut Walk and LGBT speaker events and sets up a Sir Richard’s table to pass out free condoms and pamphlets. “Some people are just really uncomfortable talking about condoms, and they will just see that there are condoms on my table, look at them and
ease Control and Prevention, the benefits of providing free condoms on college campuses include the increase in condom use, an increase in condom preparedness, and a reduction in transmission of STIs. “Having an envoy on a campus is a really great opportunity for kids to have a resource [for condoms],” says Godfrey. Another resource for students to learn about safe sex is the ASHA. Since the late 1970s, the organization has named Valentine’s Day National Condom Day, according to Fred Wyand, director of communications at ASHA. In the 1980s as a response to the AIDS epidemic, the organization extended National Condom Day into a week and later into a month. The purpose is to spread the safe sex message. Wyand agrees that the developing world is seeing a decrease in condom supply, but he believes this shortage can be linked to the limited number of facilities that offer them in that region. Both Sir Richard’s and ASHA believe their message does not encourage
“For every condom purchased, [the company] donates to people in developing countries. The first drop will be later this spring in Haiti.” –Jordan Byrnes immediately look away,” says Godfrey. “But then there are people who are really interested, and I have had people come ask me how they can get involved.” According to her, most college campuses, such as Ohio Wesleyan and Columbia University, have health centers that offer free condoms to students. However, health centers are located far from student housing, and condoms are only available when the center is open. According to the Centers for Dis-
students to have sex. The goal is simply to be a resource and raise awareness. According to Wyand, college kids are surrounded by sex, so they don’t need organizations to promote it. “[ASHA] makes sure that it focuses on as much accurate science as we can about what condoms can and cannot do,” says Wyand. “Actually, if you look at that, [condoms] can do a lot. If you stick to the facts, condoms kind of sell themselves.” akukulka@chroniclemail.com
THE SEX ISSUE | FEBRUARY 13, 2012 | THE CHRONICLE | 5
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| THE CHRONICLE |
FEBRUARY 13, 2012
porn and your video game in one solid sitting.” Even with the creation of realistic games, there is “clearly a mix” of sexual content in both realistic and fantasy games, says Dowd.Sexual content in video games isn’t extremely prevaby Lisa Schulz Assistant Campus Editor lent, he says, adding that thousands of games are released each year or the past two decades, a the 1980s, mature content appeared in without it. common goal in video games games like the Atari’s banned “Custer’s Excessive sexuality in games like was for the hero to rise up from Revenge,” in which the objective for a “Grand Theft Auto IV,” notorious the role of an everyday plumber and Civil War general was to have sex with for its depiction of violence and save the princess, or at least in titles a tied-up Native American woman. prostitution, can distract from the featuring Mario. How the couple cel- In the text-adventure game “Leisure plot and is unnecessary, ebrated, though, was left to the imagi- Suit Larry,” where a busisays Bridget Struth, freshnation of the gamer. ness man searched for man film and video As genres have expanded beyond a prostitute, accordmajor. arcade-style games, so have the ing to Dowd, who Quality of gamegames’ objectives. Now gameplay worked on “Leisure play and sexual has time for foreplay and sexcapades, Suit Larry: Magna content don’t often targeting a separate and more mature Cum Laude.” correlate, accordaudience, as seen in recently released Since video ing to Dowd. The games “God of War 3,” “Mass Effect 2” g a m e s have “Dead or Alive” and “Fable 3.” been around for franchise is a qualED KANG “You see [sexual content] in the real- decades, people ity fighting game, istic games because they’re trying to tend to forget the but uses “incredibly match an R-rated movie experience median age for sexist” graphics. In the in some cases,” says Tom Dowd, assis- gamers is 30 years old, says Dowd. beach volleyball version of the game tant professor in the Interactive Arts An adult audience is going to want quality graphics over gameplay is “an and Media Department and coordi- mature, relatable content in their excuse to ogle the girls,” he says. nator of the game development con- entertainment, just as there is nudity A video game’s content needs to centration of the game design major or sexual content in film, he says. be depicted on its packaging and in at Columbia. “You can kill two birds with one its description to communicate to conSexuality is not a new concept to the stone,” says Ryan Farmer, a junior film sumers and avoid disappointment or gaming industry, he says. As early as and video major. “You can have your upset, says Laurence Minsky, associate
is just a joystick away
F
professor in the Marketing Communication Department. “I have a lot of concerns with the messaging of video games in terms of the content,” says Minsky. “There’s a lot of misogyny in a lot of the games.” The Entertainment Software Rating Board’s rating is located on the front of the box and needs to be acknowledged to protect consumers and their children, says Dowd. Even with a rating, retailers decide which games to distribute based on their audience. According to Dowd, Wal-mart, which was “shooting themselves in the foot” after banning “Grand Theft Auto IV,” didn’t carry games with extreme sexual contentz but changed their position after controversy and loss of possible revenue. Whether or not violence and sexual content can affect a gamer’s personal life is determined on an individual basis, he says. “There are some people by virtue of all of the other factors in their lives that are more susceptible to be influenced than others,” says Dowd. “It’s not just the video game.” Even without sexual content, some gamers aren’t putting down the controller. “I play video games purely to kill people,” says Farmer. lschulz@chroniclemail.com
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THE SEX ISSUE | FEBRUARY 13, 2012 | THE CHRONICLE | 7
SKYNET, UPLOAD: program love ED KANG
by Joel Pompea Contributing Writer
W
ith the meteoric rise of dating websites and applications, the Internet gives us plenty of options for finding love. Generating more than $1 billion per year, online dating is in stiff competition with porn to be one of the largest Internet industries. “It is pretty interesting how quickly online dating started and has continued to evolve; I would have never imagined online dating becoming so popular,” says Emerald Smith, a licensed therapist and Chicago resident. “We shop and pay bills online, [so] why not shop for a partner?” We’ve all seen the commercials for Match.com claiming, “One in five relationships now begin on an online dating site.” Whether or not those numbers are completely accurate is debatable, but it is undeniable that many relationships get their start online. In an overscheduled culture, online dating is often the go-to for busy professionals. But it also gives shy, meeker introverts a more comfortable medium through which to get to know someone. “I was new to the city, didn’t know many people and spent the majority of my days in classes with a bunch of women and nights in with my roommate, so I felt like I would never meet men anywhere,” says Smith. “After about 10 first dates though, I was really tired of it … I felt like it was too choreographed and had sucked the fun out of meeting people randomly.” The industry is quickly gaining customers. Match.com alone is home to more than 15 million members. And while the average age for a user in the U. S. is 48 years old, the rise of more specialized and free sites have paved the way for a younger generation to create profiles. “It’s an easy way to meet people you wouldn’t normally meet [and] some people think that it kind of spoils the surprise, but I never would have met most of the people I’ve dated without
the Internet,” says Chicago resident Matthew Pavkov. “If you’re into the person and they are right for you, it has the possibility of lasting no matter if you met them in real life or on the Internet.” It is hard to deny the online dating world’s appeal and addictive nature, according to Iain McFarlin, a Columbia alumnus. “It’s been fun and extremely entertaining,” says McFarlin. “I find myself on the OkCupid app probably just as much as Facebook. The way it’s set up allows for easy refreshing of the ‘news feed’ and ‘match feeds.’” But the question always lingers: What about the mystery of meeting someone randomly? “Everyone dreams of that chance encounter, of meeting someone amazing on the street in some sort of cosmic coincidence or fate, but that doesn’t always happen,” says Pavkov. “I feel like the way you initially make contact with someone doesn’t really matter as long as you feel a kind of connection when you are together.” If anything, online dating is an interesting experiment that lets singles test the waters and discover people who they never thought they’d come in contact with. The industry growth has led to the creation of more niche websites and applications that allow access to other services. With sites like Grindr and Craigslist, people are not limited to just dating. Instead, these online outlets give users the option to find random hookups rather than get involved in a more serious and committed relationship. “The experience can be fun, but of course it depends on the person you’re seeing,” says Trevor Carreon, a Columbia student. “I’ve met awesome guys that I’m very glad to have had in my life, [but] sometimes you can meet a weirdo. You never really know what’s behind the screen.” chronicle@colum.edu
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| THE CHRONICLE |
FEBRUARY 13, 2012
Lady Porn Day by Sophia Coleman Assistant Arts & Culture Editor
N
o longer will ladies’ minds be haunted with images of pizza delivery men knocking on the doors of girls craving a sausage deepdish. A forum has been created where porn is regarded as an art form. Lady Porn Day, developed by Chicago-bred journalist and blogger Rachel Rabbit White, was created in February 2011 as a forum on her blog, RachelRabbitWhite.com, to spark a candid conversation among women about their likes and dislikes in porn and to share some of their favorite clips. “The majority of porn is not made for or by women, and so it’s hard to find porn that you might like,” says White. “Some [women think] that it’s socially not OK to explore porn because there’s this idea that came out of second-wave feminism that porn harms women and exploits them.” White, a Columbia graduate who now lives in New York City, said the spirit of LPD was embracing the mindset of a girl searching for quality porn to use as a tool for masturbation. She had a substantial following from previous blog projects like No Makeup Week and was able to gather a diverse group of women, including porn stars and filmmakers, in order to facilitate a dialogue between producers and consumers. Edmund White, Rachel’s husband and designer of the blog, says he completely understood why main-
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stream porn was unappealing to women, especially since he didn’t see any charm in it himself. “I think women are more interested in the scene being set or a sexual situation with a twist, rather than disembodied genitals just bumping away,” he says. “I would say [women] should not give up on the porn industry in general, [because] it’s not going to change without women’s voices.” White, who considers herself the curator of LPD, 9says this year she will most likely not be hosting it herself. Rather, she hopes another blogger will pick up the project around the week of Feb. 22 and add his or her own personal twist. Through LPD she found that women liked wildly different kinds of porn, from straight women only being able to get off from watching gay porn or watching videos of other women touching themselves. She says overall, women were drawn to lush images, beautiful cinematography, strong storylines or short films with an erotic edge. Erika Lust, a female filmmaker based in Barcelona, was a huge favorite of women on LPD. White says Lust’s films are somewhat of an anomaly in the porn industry because she is one of the few women who writes, directs and films heterosexual porn. White says there is a lot of queer and lesbian porn on the Internet, but straight images involving attractive men are hard to come by.
Lust says she got into adult filmmaking because she wanted to convey what real sex was like. She felt it was her job to assert what the “woman experience” means so society can come to a well-rounded definition of modern sexuality. She says despite the prevalence of pornographic imagery, female sexuality continues to be repressed and is still viewed through the lens of male sexuality. “In a certain way, mainstream porn has no soul,” says Lust. “The problem is all those horrible clichés: the always-willing ladies who are so pleased to provide a blowjob to some ugly guy, men represented as sex heroes, impossible settings such as mafia houses. That’s not real sex at all.” Lust says one of her favorite films she made is “Handcuffs,” which involves a woman in a bar who sees a mysterious couple. She realizes the woman is handcuffed, and as the couple becomes more and more irresistible, her curiosity leads her to an intense sexual encounter. “I’m inspired by the touch of the skin, the real sound of sex, a realistic situation with real people, like you and me
or anyone out there who ever has a sexual desire,” says Lust. “We don’t want to see pimps, Lolita lookalikes, horny nurses or extreme high heels anymore.” To get involved in Lady Porn Day, visit Rachel Rabbit White’s website at RachelRabbitWhite.com. Go to LustCinema.com/video/Handcuffs to see a short film directed by Erika Lust, or visit her site LustCinema.com for more content. scoleman@chroniclemail.com
THE SEX ISSUE | FEBRUARY 13, 2012 | THE CHRONICLE | 9
D o i n g it h ers elf by Aspyn Jones Contributing Writer
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panking the monkey, choking the chicken, having a wank, beating your meat, beating off, jerking off, jacking off, tossing off, fapping and many other colorful euphemisms all mean the same thing: masturbation. It’s the personal touch that sends shockwaves of orgasmic pleasure through the body, a euphorialaden experience that can be achieved without the assistance of a partner. The plethora of terms denotes the fondness guys have for self-gratification. But what about girls? “We learn that guys are out-ofcontrol animals who just can’t help themselves, and nice girls still don’t masturbate,” says Amy Steinhauer, a licensed clinical social worker and sex therapist. “I think these sex-negative stereotypes serve no one.” Steinhauer notes that there are a few reasons as to why female masturbation is largely ignored and says the first issue comes from women viewing masturbation as a “last resort,” rather than something that is a normal part of human sexuality. “I agree that there seems to be an additional layer of taboo and shame for women,” says Steinhauer. “We seem still to hold a lot of ambivalence about women’s pleasure.” According to a 2010 report published by The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction,males during the past year ages 18-19 masturbated at a rate of 80,6 percent while those who were 20-24 masturbated at a rate of 82.7 percent. However, females aged 18–19 only pleasured themselves 60 percent of the time, a number that increased to 64.3 percent between ages 20–24. “I just think girls are more uncomfortable to be more open about it,” says Laura Karcz, senior radio major, explaining the discrepancy between men and women. “I definitely think there’s a taboo about it. I don’t know why. It’s a part of human nature, you know?” Liz Aldrich, a licensed clinical social worker, says another problem with the masturbation stigma is the fact that society is still getting comfortable with the idea of an independently sexual woman. “Some women find it difficult to be that woman,” says Aldrich.
“They struggle to put themselves and their pleasure first and may feel that masturbating is somehow secondbest to sex with a partner.” Despite the divergence between the genders, there are ways for women to become more at ease with self-exploration. According to “A Guide to Masturbation” by Dennis Thompson Jr. on Everydayhealth.com, the practice is not something to fear and is actually beneficial tool for the human body. Thompson states that masturbation can aid sleep, increase metabolism and can be used “as an outlet for people abstaining from sexual intercourse.” Psychologist Shirley Baron stresses the importance of normalizing the act instead of treating it as something completely foreign. “As a sexual being, it’s common and normal to masturbate … it’s true for women and men,” says Baron. “That’s the one approach that I think would be helpful, but I think just sort of normalizing it, that this is part of being human, is important.”
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Aldrich pointed out that ease of access is also an issue. While male genitalia are external, the female counterpart are not, so pleasure for women “takes a little more time and education” to navigate, she says. But according to Steinhauer, part of the solution comes from one of the very basic steps of knowledge:
sexual education. “Honestly, I think we need to start early [and] have frank, age-appropriate conversations with our children about sexual issues,” she says. “An ongoing discussion rather than passing them a book or sitting down for a one-time talk.” chronicle@colum.edu
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FEBRUARY 13, 2012
L E T ’ S G E T K I N K Y. . . Can you handle it?
by Brian Dukerschein Copy Editor
T
here’s nothing wrong with exploring your kinky side, but it’s important to do so safely. If done improperly, many sex acts can have serious and long-term medical consequences. To find information on six sexual practices, The Chronicle spoke to William Bradley, psychotherapist and conductor of Columbia’s Human Sexuality Seminar and perused the stories on ExperienceProject.org, a website where people around the world share their life experiences. We also consulted with Dr. Robert Noven, an internist at Michigan Avenue Immediate Care, 180 N. Michigan Ave., who discussed the medical risks associated with each sex act and precautions that can be taken to make them safer.
Sounds play THIS PRACTICE involves the insertion of a sound, a medical device used to treat urological ailments, into the penis to increase sexual stimulation. “Sounds have been around since the ancient Egyptians,” says Bradley. “They were used to treat blocked urethras and swollen prostates, so I have my suspicion that some people got turned on by that.”
Experience Project User: “I love the feeling of sounds and catheters going slowly into my penis. Especially love a foley going into my bladder and that special feeling as it slides past the prostate and makes bladder entry. Much fun to enjoy.”
Dr. Noven: The urethra is a fragile structure, and inserting objects into it repeatedly increases the likelihood of bacterial infection and developing urethritis, an inflammation of the urethra, says Noven. “My suggestion would be to use sterile techniques and be sure to use an adequate size catheter, and that you do adequate lubrication so you don’t traumatize the area,” he says.
Fisting
DAMALY KEO
FISTING IS the insertion of a hand or forearm into the rectum or vagina. According to Bradley, there are references to fisting dating back to ancient Greece, and he has seen photographic evidence of it in pornography from the 1930s. Although fisting is popularly associated with gay sexual culture, Bradley says that’s not always the case. “I’ve discovered in the last 10 years of working with couples in talking about sexual issues or sexual problems, gay and straight, a number of straight couples where wives or girlfriends have been working on anal pleasure and even fist-
THE SEX ISSUE | FEBRUARY 13, 2012 | THE CHRONICLE | 11
Electronic stimulation LIKE SOUNDS play, e-stim began as a medical technique and eventually was used as a source of sexual stimulation, according to Bradley. Today, people often use TENS units, low-voltage medical devices used to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes, and violet wands, high-voltage devices more commonly used in BDSM. Some individuals have reportedly used household electronic devices, such as radios and kitchen appliances, to give themselves electric shocks.
Experience Project User: “The feeling of e-stim is so difficult to describe to someone who hasn’t experienced it … Except to say it’s completely
Breath Play amazing and I can’t get enough.”
Dr. Noven: Noven says a TENS unit is unlikely to carry enough voltage to cause any damage when used properly, but he cautions against using any nonmedical devices. “If you jerry-rig some device so you can get electrical stimulation to [an erogenous zone], you’re potentially going to increase your risk for electrical shock, which could create secondand third-degree burns and could create neurological deficits,” says Noven.
ASPHYXIAPHILIA IS the practice of cutting off the supply of oxygen to the brain to create a light-headed state called hypoxia. Enthusiasts use plastic bags, simulate hanging, wear specially designed hoods, or physically choke their partner. “It’s clearly a power issue,” says Bradley. “I’ve run into it with a few straight couples, but most of the breath play I’ve seen has been with gay men.”
Experience Project User: “My sessions can last even 3 hours. A good part is dedicated to relaxation. Before and after climax. The first sensation I feel when I am bagged is [relaxation], excitement, [happiness]. Every bad [thing] is wiped from my mind.”
Dr. Noven
“There really is no safe way to become hypoxic for a period of time,” Noven says. “I don’t see any safe way to do this where you don’t increase the risk for brain damage, arrhythmia or cardiac arrest.”
ing their boyfriends,” he says. “It’s certainly not limited to same-sex couples.”
Experience Project User: “A moment later, her hand was fully inside me, wrist-deep. When she moved her fingers, it was the most intense, strange, erotic experience I’d ever had. I never wanted it to end.”
Dr. Noven: Noven describes fisting as a dangerous activity that carries the risk of potentially damaging the rectum and sphincter. Fisting can also cause microtrauma to the rectum, leaving both parties at a higher risk of transmitting HIV and sexually transmitted infections if it is followed by unprotected sex. “I’m not sure if [fisting] can ever be done completely safely,” says Noven. “But if you’re really going to do it, lubricate properly and work towards it. Use some device that can dilate the rectum a little bit until you can actually get to the point where you can possibly do it safely just at the rectal area.”
Watersports ACCORDING TO Bradley, urine has been used throughout history for health care, beauty and dental care, so he is not surprised that it is also used erotically. “As far as the sexual aspect of it, you’re going to find some people peeing on each other, in each other, urine enemas, drinking it,” says Bradley. “While it was probably talked about more in the gay community, I’ve certainly—over the last four years—dealt with plenty of straight couples where this was part and parcel of their sexual behavior.”
Experience Project User: “It is a truly enjoyable experience for me also to open my mouth wide for someone to empty their bladder into … I love watching it leave him or her and flowing into my mouth. I love the taste, I love to swallow it. It is an overall awesome thing to be a toilet.”
Dr. Noven:
Blood play “THE BUSINESS with blood play is watching somebody bleed or using blood as a paint or sometimes sucking it, playing vampires and so on,” says Bradley. “I find it horrifying because it’s such an easy way to transmit hepatitis or HIV. I think it’s a behavior that’s really inappropriate. It’s one of the very few I’d be willing to say, ‘Uh uh, don’t do it.’”
Experience Project User: “Blood: the mere thought of it excites me … I enjoy the taste and smell of it. I have never used it in a sexual encounter, but it is def. a sexual stimulant for me. My partner is not into blood play (although I wish that he was into it).”
“[Safety] depends on a couple things,” says Noven. “If you’re talking about urinating on someone’s body, potentially that’s pretty low risk. If you’re talking about doing it in people’s mucosal membranes, like their eyes or their mouth, you could potentially increase some transmission [of STIs].” He adds that the risk of transmitting HIV through urine is low, but not impossible, and that anyone with active skin lesions or cuts should avoid the practice.
Dr. Noven:
“From a purely medical perspective, you’re talking about one of the potentially highest-risk [activities],” says Noven. “In terms of hepatitis, in terms of HIV, it’s really stupid.” bdukerschein@chroniclemail.com
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FEBRUARY 13, 2012
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THE SEX ISSUE | FEBRUARY 13, 2012 | THE CHRONICLE | 13
SEX GAMES: bu r i e d b e dro om b a b b l e
N e v e r h av e I e v e r . . .
T
he simple concept of “Never have I ever” makes it easy to play with friends anytime, anywhere. Gather a group, say something you’ve never done, and find out all of your friends’ sexy secrets. We’ve gathered a few of our own to get your game started …
Never have I ever…
PERFORMED A SEXUAL ACT ON THE CTA. HAD SEX WITH SOMEONE TWICE MY AGE. MADE HOMEMADE PORN. BEEN IN PART OF A MENAGE A TROIS. GONE SKINNY-DIPPING. USED A SEX TOY. GOTTEN A PIERCING ON MY JUNK.
HOOKED UP WITH A CO-WORKER. SUCKED ON A TOE. GOTTEN SPANKED. WORN S&M GEAR IN BED. NICKNAMED MY JUNK. HAD A ONE-NIGHT STAND. PARTICIPATED IN AUTOEROTIC ASPHYXIATION.
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FEBRUARY 13, 2012
R PERFORMING
commentary
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by Gabrielle Rosas Commentary Editor
ondoms are the bane of a satisfying sexual experience. Too often they slip, slide and generally aggravate until the last thing anyone wants to do is get down. The most fun any couple could possibly get from condoms is mixing and matching colors and flavors, a practice that reminds me of choosing rubber bands for my braces when I was a kid. Braces weren’t fun and neither are condoms, as crude as the comparison might be. But condoms are also an innovative invention that can protect both men and women from sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies. For that reason alone, everyone should use them when having sexual intercourse. However, wearing one or not is a choice; one that should be allowed to all, even porn stars. A new ordinance passed by the Los Angeles City Council requires porn actors shooting within city limits to wear condoms on set, a move that has the porn industry in an uproar. But porn stars and directors shouldn’t get their panties in a bunch. The ordi-
nance, which wrongly injects government intervention into the content of pornographic films, will not be enough to bring down the multibillion-dollar porn industry. Though it has been the porn industry’s production hub for years, the San Fernando Valley will be seriously compromised as an industry headquarters
R PROTECTION
THE SEX ISSUE | FEBRUARY 13, 2012 | THE CHRONICLE | 15
Florida and Nevada offer an ample number of production facilities as well as the warm weather actors enjoy while filming. Already Simi Valley has foreseen the spread of the industry and reacted, perhaps a little too quickly. But if the law’s intent is to stifle the lucrative industry, then the LA City Council is trying to work outside
“A new ordinance passed by the Los Angeles City Council requires porn actors shooting within city limits to wear condoms on set.” thanks to the new ordinance. Even nearby Simi Valley’s City Council supported the measure and has shown interest in adopting it. But a booming industry like porn demands growth, for better or worse. If LA won’t house porn’s practices, then business will simply continue elsewhere. Diane Duke, executive director of the industry trade group the Free Speech Coalition, told Reuters that
its jurisdiction. The law gives government the ability to overreach its powers into a private industry, as well as the sexual behavior of consenting adults. A condom requirement for porn actors negatively affects revenue, according to legendary porn star Ron Jeremy. “Performers don’t mind wearing rubbers, but viewers don’t want to
see it,” Jeremy told the New York Daily News. “It ruins the fantasy.” If the porn industry were publicly funded, it would make sense for LA legislators to impose this regulation, but city taxes clearly aren’t going to the porn industry. The ordinance was passed as a way to keep STDs from spreading—a noble cause prompted by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. But porn is a business, and like any other business it will find ways around the ordinance if it means earning an extra dollar. As much as I urge every industry to adopt health-conscious policies, telling consenting adults how to have sex is not the answer. Sexual practices are an individual’s choice. Whether people decide to make informed, safe decisions or not is none of the government’s concern. Besides, the idea of our beloved Mayor Rahm Emanuel telling all of us to wear condoms could only manifest itself as pure comedy. grosas@chroniclemail.com
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FEBRUARY 13, 2012
TABOO
reviews
No. Way. I’ll let you pay for this one... You’re cute, let’s get a drink. Want to come back to my place?
S
Diva Cups
ince the beginning of our species, women have devised ways to deal with menstruation. Today, the most common methods are tampons and pads. But ladies of the world, take heed: There is another way. The Diva Cup is a small, reusable silicon menstrual devise that trumps tampons economically, environmentally and by way of convenience. When first hearing about the Diva Cup, most people have a similar reaction—skepticism and squeamishness. This is understandable because not only does the idea confront the widely taboo subject of menstruation, but it’s also a relatively new concept and a discernable leap from routine custom. But before you turn your head, take this into account: On average, women spend approximately $48 per year on tampons. Diva cups cost around $20 and can last for years without having
I
to be replaced. On top of that, they are chemical-free. Tampons and pads are stark white because they are bleached. Lastly, Diva Cups are earth-friendly. Think of the waste produced by the discarding of a used tampon and its packaging. Now, multiply that by 1 million and imagine what percentage of landfills is made up of used tampons and pads. Diva Cups offer an alternative menstrual option for women, but unfortunately they are competing for popularity in a society consumed by the vast marketing of outdated products. Do you know how much money tampon companies make? Me neither, but it’s probably a ton. So, future divas of the world, I implore you to pause and consider the idea of embracing a reusable menstrual cup. —A. Einhorn
Taboo Tabou
masturbate. There, I said it. I’m not ashamed, and you shouldn’t be either. In this day and age, sexual openness is becoming less and less taboo. From masturbation to role-playing, all things related to sex and intimacy are more common and less blush inducing. Even though sex and masturbation shouldn’t be embarrassing, they can still put you in an awkward place when it comes to buying supplemental items. The staff at Lakeview’s Taboo Tabou, 854 W. Belmont Ave., makes the experience easy and completely free of embarrassment. I’ve purchased a few items at the store. And am not only satisfied with the items but pleasantly surprised with the ease I feel talking about what I am looking for or asking ques-
tions about their products. The typically female staff (appropriate, as they cater to a predominantly female clientele) is sweet, approachable, knowledgeable and non-judgmental. With a huge selection, from your average dildos and vibrators to bondage gear, male sex toys, DVDs, lubes and lotions, clothing, accessories and novelty items, Taboo Tabou has something for just about everyone. Need a sexy last-minute Valentine’s Day surprise for your special someone? Need a sexy Valentine’s treat for yourself? I highly, highly recommend Taboo Tabou for all your sexy-time needs. —T. Halpin
THE SEX ISSUE | FEBRUARY 13, 2012 | THE CHRONICLE | 17
RECIPE
Ingredients:
avocado salsa makes for unlikely ‘mood food’
1 16-ounce package frozen corn kernels, thawed 2 2.15 ounce cans black beans, drained 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 small onion, chopped 5 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup olive oil 1/4 cup lime juice 3 tablespoons vinegar 1 teaspoon dried oregano
by Emily Fasold Assistant Sports & Health Editor AY S
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Garlic is the lesser but arguably more flavorful aphrodisiac in the dish. While a mouthful of garlic may not sound like the start to a romantic evening, this savory bulb increases circulation where you need it. First, mix the corn, black beans, red bell pepper and onion together in a large bowl. In a separate, smaller bowl, mix the garlic, olive oil, lime juice, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper. Use this concoction as a dressing, pouring it over the corn mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and allow it to marinate in
the refrigerator for approximately eight hours or overnight. This allows the flavors to blend and intensify. After the mixture has chilled, peel and slice the avocados and stir them in just before serving. Accompany with tortilla chips, pita bread, carrot sticks or a side of your choice. Last but not least, light the candles, put on some music and let the dish work its magic. Ph ot o
B
reak away from traditional dinner cuisine this Valentine’s Day and treat your date to avocado salsa, a dish chock-full of aphrodisiacs bound to get you in the mood. The dish is incredibly easy to prepare, perfect for all you noncookers out there who still want to impress your date. In fact, it requires no cooking at all. However, the dish needs to marinate in the refrigerator for 8 hours, so make sure you prepare it in advance. Avocado is the primary aphrodisiac in the dish. It received its reputation as a “mood enhancer” from the Aztecs, who referred to avocado trees as “testicle trees” because the fruit hangs from branches in pairs, like male testes.
1/2 teaspoon salt
efasold@chroniclemail.com
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 4 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
In a large bowl, mix corn, black beans, red bell pepper and onion. In a small bowl, mix garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, cider vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper. Pour into the corn mixture and toss to coat. Cover and chill in the refrigerator 8 hours, or overnight. Stir avocados into the mixture just before serving.
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by Amanda Murphy Arts & Culture Editor
W
e all know them. You know what I’m talking about. Those fornication fables that always start out with something like, “My best friend’s cousin knows someone who …” and continue with something completely asinine and usually disgusting.
Tiela Halpin Photo Editor
Or there are the myths that may seem to defy common sense but still consistently convince and confuse people. With the help of some certified sex experts, we the “Ball Busters” explore some of the more common, and even outrageous, sexual urban legends out there today.
THE SEX ISSUE | FEBRUARY 13, 2012 | THE CHRONICLE | 19
Myth: A penis can “break” Answer: True Sorry, dudes. Although it contains no bones, a penis can indeed fracture in a way that permanently bends it. According to Isadora Alman, a board-certified sex therapist, the muscles that make up the penis can bend in unnatural ways if enough force is placed. “If you hear something snap or it suddenly goes off on an angle, get medical attention,” Alman says. Myth: The size of a man’s foot or hand can determine the size of his penis Answer: False There’s no way to determine just how big a man is with his clothes on. The perk? Well, you’re just going to have to strip him down and get him excited to really judge. Like the old saying goes, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” You also can’t judge a penis size by its podiatric counterpart. Myth: The Gräfenberg Spot, aka The g-Spot, does not exist Answer: Undetermined You may have heard it discredited in the news recently, but it really comes down to the fact that no man or woman is alike, and in the instance of the g-spot, it’s on a caseby-case basis. Alman says if a woman claims that it feels good to stimulate that area in the vagina, you should keep doing it. Whether or not it’s the g-spot as we know it, it’s still a place of heightened sensitivity and can be orgasm-inducing for some women. Myth: Men hit their sexual peak in their 20s and women in their 30s Answer: False As with the g-spot, this one is really depends on the individual. “There are men who don’t hit their stride until their 40s, and there are women who come out of the gate running,” says Alman. She adds that the myth was probably bolstered by the fact it takes more time for women to get in touch with who they are and what they like sexually. You hear that ladies? There are years ahead of you to further discover your sexual needs and wants. Better start exploring.
scientific sexual world. Researchers are still trying to determine the makeup of the liquid that comes out, but the speculation is it’s either urine, a woman’s natural lubricant or a mix of both. Whatever it is, it sure puts a new spin on the term “watersports.” Myth: The quick removal of the penis from the anus can cause uncontrollable defecation Answer: True This is good to note for those inexperienced anal sexers out there. Alman says if those participating didn’t engage in the appropriate preparation, which can sometimes include enamas or anal irrigation, an excrementeliminating impulse could occur. So basically, be smart and clean out your nether area before engaging in anal sex. Embarrassment aside, no one wants to clean up that mess. Myth: People put gerbils up their bum Answer: Probably Did you ever hear that story about the man who comes into the hospital complaining about stomach pains and ends up having a gerbil up his derriere? Whether it’s true or not, Alman says that given the long sexual history of the human race, she wouldn’t be surprised if someone somewhere tried it at some time. “If it’s possible, most likely someone has done it,” says Alman. Doesn’t that just open your mind to a weird world of sexual experimentation? However, we don’t condone the harm of innocent animals. Myth: If there is semen in a body of water or on a toilet seat, you can get pregnant Answer: False It sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised by how gullible young kids can be these days. The truth is, if there’s semen floating around in a pool or on a toilet seat, there’s no way it can make its way up your birth canal to inseminate an egg. Ladies, you can swim and sit on toilet seats worry-free. Myth: Women can get pregnant from anal sex. Answer: True It seems extremely unlikely, but Alman says it is possible for semen to make its way from the anus to the vagina. As rare as this instance is, it’s good to know to be aware and safe if you’re having anal sex, or you might get one big surprise in the form of a blue plus sign. chronicle@colum.edu
Myth: A woman can “squirt” Answer: True Just as women’s sexual needs and wants vary, so does their ability to do this. Alman says “squirting,” or the female equivalent of ejaculation, is a fairly new discovery in the
STOCK PHOTO
GO OUT, Tuesday, February 14 Valentine’s Day 2012: Latin Dance Night 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. Ballroom Dance Chicago 4043 N. Ravenswood Ave. (312) 504-5866 $70 per couple; 21+; RSVP required
Valentine’s Day at Lawry’s The Prime Rib 5 – 10 p.m. Lawry’s The Prime Rib 100 E. Ontario St. (312) 787-5000 $99 per couple
Beer and Chocolate Pairings 7 – 11 p.m. Fizz Bar & Grill 3220 N. Lincoln Ave. (773) 348-6000 $14
Ladies Night at Soha Comedy 9:30 – 11:30 p.m. Sopo Lounge 3418 N. Southport Ave. (773) 880-0100 $5; FREE for ladies
“A Nude Hope: A Star Wars Burlesque” 9 p.m. Gorilla Tango Theatre 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave. (773) 598-4549 $20
“Love and Liabilities: The St. Valentine’s Day Conflict Cabaret” 7:30 p.m. Gorilla Tango Theatre 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave. (773) 598-4549 $12
Anti-Valentine’s Day Party 8 p.m. Logan Square Auditorium 2539 N. Kedzie Ave. (773) 252-6179 $14
Chicago Odyssey Valentine Dinner Cruise 6 – 10 p.m. Odyssey Cruises 600 E. Grand Ave. (866) 305-2469 $89.90–$129.90 per person