Like me, you might have been told time and time again “In order for a man to respect you, you need to respect yourself.” I am a firm believer in this concept, but I also realize that this is the 21st century. The old school way of thinking is far out the door:  a man courts a woman, waits a billion years while her heart steadily beats for the one man she loves and he manages to satisfy himself alone every evening, until they are finally wedded. Only until vows are said and there is a ring on each other’s finger can sex become an expressional way of nature. However, having sex today can simply mean that you have a lot in common, enjoy one another’s company and are horny.

However, it is common for those who have sex right away to feel a greater social pressure. Women have a little angel on their shoulder reminding them, “Don’t give it up. It will ruin your reputation.” Men have a devil with a smirking smile shouting “Go for it now. You might not get another chance.” But these “shoulder side-kicks” are not always telling the truth and sometimes those social pressures that represent our “shoulder side-kick” can possibly get in the way of how we really feel about one another. It is important that both men and women wait for their feelings to catch up. After all, since when does sex have a shelf life? If you wait three days, it only allows you both to talk about those feelings you have for another, time for you to sleep on it (in your own bed) and the opportunity for you to decide what you really want instead of what you think you should do. If the chemistry and connection is still there in a few days, I think the opportunity for arousal will still exist.

Of course, to every rule there is an exception even in the game of love. Rule #1 of love is there are no absolutes. Exception to Rule #1: the only universal absolute regarding potential relationships and love is that communication is key. So your date was awesome and you “connected” in all the ways possible and you both revealed to one another how in-tune you are to them, even enough to reveal an interest in becoming physically active immediately.

Unfortunately, as much as I stress the vital impact communication has on relationships, I am the first one who can vouch that communication still does not create the ideal relationship, even when used right off the bat. It is not a bad idea to exercise a little restraint, because it will likely create anticipation for the date to follow.

Sex does not hinder the potential for a future relationship. What really ruins future relationships is being dishonest about your needs and desires or not communicating them at all. The best advice I can offer you is to be smart about such a decision. Do not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and always use protection.  Sex can potentially change the dynamic of a relationship—not necessarily ruin it—so it is important that you share with your partner your expectations and wait for those feelings to fully develop before you engage in sexual activity.

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Illustration: Chelsi Semler

Last week, I sent out a text to my closest friends: “Warning: For the next 24 hours, you will not be able to contact me. I’m reading ‘Fifty Shades of Grey.’”

Before reading it, I was puzzled as to why this book had become such a rave among women. Once I got to the second chapter, my question had been answered.

Readers, non-readers, women and even men (yes gents, I saw you reading this naughty novel in Prexy’s Pasture too) have been frenzied by this erotic novel, which has been described as “taboo” based on the descriptive sexual content. Some find it enjoyable, while others find it degrading. It is up to you to sip and decide if it is your cup of tea.

While there is much controversy about the novel and its sexual content, this literary liberation is much needed among our generation. It is opening discussion and dialogue about sex.

College students are talking about sex, and in the case of this column reading about it. This novel is so great for college student readers, as it encourages us to ask “taboo” questions about sex.

Although the taboo sex scenes in the book are intense and shocking, they provide commanding insight to creating your own great sex life.

Rachel Braun Scherl, president of Semprae Laboratories, (the manufacturer of Zestra), explains, “There are a number of factors that will lower a women’s libido, desire, arousal or satisfaction, many of which are not age-specific. These include side effects from medications including oral birth control and anti-depressants; hormonal changes due to post pregnancy or menopause; the physiological and emotional impact of cancer treatment; realities and side effects of medications for a number of medical conditions including diabetes, obesity and MS; and the all-encompassing stress.”

The novel simply encourages readers to further explore their sexuality with their partner and enables them to create more freedom to explore new things sexually and emotionally.

The one lesson I hope every reader takes away from the novel is the importance of communication during sex.

Communication during sex is naturally thought of to be stiff and awkward. However, the novel proves those views to be a thing of the past.

There isn’t one right way to communicate during sex and it’s imperative that you remember this before you get the ball rolling in the future. Everyone communicates in different ways.

The one thing to keep in mind is to be certain that your communication style is in sync with your partner. You and your partner need to recognize the signals you are sending and receiving during sexual encounters and be certain that your partner is sending those same messages. While this is imperative to a great and healthy sex life, you must be sure these messages you are sending and receiving are intentional.

When you and your partner have become accustomed to this extremely engaged back-and-forth interaction, it becomes obvious when either of you is uncomfortable or not thoroughly enjoying the experience. I dare you to entangle in a descriptive and engaging sexual experience. It’s one thing to do something to someone to turn you on, but it will turn you on even more if you know that they wanted it. If that isn’t sexy, I don’t know what is.

While the sex scenes in the novel are tremendously arresting, they lack something even more important than communication. The ultimate goal for a great sex life is to strive for a relationship that isn’t based on “Can I do sex to you?” but rather “Let’s do sex together.”

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Photo: David Demic

The art of foreplay is not an easy task to achieve, but with the right coaching you can turn your bedroom into a sweltering sauna.

Unlike men, women are not immediately raring to go. They need to run their engines a while to, you know, get their juices flowing. Foreplay is the perfect opportunity to accomplish just that. Before putting your key in the ignition, try to talk and tease. Dirty talk can be a great way to enhance the sexual content and it is a sexy way to let him or her know exactly how you like it. As you whisper sexy nothings into their ear, focus attention toward erogenous parts of the body, which can really raise sexual desire, such as their mouth, neck, inner thighs, lower back and ears.

Another great way to amp up the action before the magic happens is to provide your company with a strip show. Attention all men: stripping is not just for women anymore. We want to see you remove those suspenders and unbutton that shirt. First things first, though. Don’t forget those socks. Nothing is more of a turn off than eyeing your flavor of the week up and down to notice they are worried their feet will get cold.

Don’t hesitate to get your hands dirty – or your mouths for that matter – metaphorically speaking.

A great way to know what appeals to your partner is by reading their body language. If they look as though they are in pain or are uncomfortable, stop immediately. Here is a great time for dirty talk if that does happen. Try something like, “Where do you want me to rub” or “what do you want me to do to you?” Yes, surprisingly, communication is very sexy and makes sex that much better.

It’s important to get in the mood and there is no better way to get there then letting one’s imagination run wild. Adult entertainment (yes, you heard me right, porn) provides both partners with the perfect opportunity for arousal. Lie naked with one another and keep in mind, anything is up for grabs in this situation. Pay attention to one another and the steamy sex scene on screen.  Take notes of experiences you wish to try and express those interests to your partner. Judge your partners response before diving in head first. The desire here is to simply let your imagination flow freely. You do not need to try all of these suggestions tonight when you meet up with your sex kitten. Mix it up. Try one tonight and a different one next week or if you’re like me, try a different one in the morning.  Just remember to be sure things stay pleasurable, vigorous and erotic. The struggle with foreplay is that everyone is different and it takes time to make find those niches, but as long as you are attentive, you will bring much pleasure and success.

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Last year’s loyal Reverse Cowgirl fans (I’m looking at you, UW Memes page) know that she graduated from the university in May. Well, meet your new RC 2.0. Last year’s RC was an amazing columnist full of witty, open minded and helpful advice and I had the privilege to work with  her. With that said, don’t think that I will provide you a break from her spunky, steamy and honest input about sex and hopefully address some of your interests and appetites about what happens under the sheets.

I am back from vacation and I have quite a few stories, which I am dying to tell. While vacationing, I met a hunk of a gentleman. With all the sparks between us, I was certain it was July 4 already.Unfortunately, that summer fling faded just as quickly as my summer tan will in October. But for now, during my next strip tease he’ll still have clear borders for “offside” and “Gooooooal!”

“Hunky” and my frequent endeavors on the scorching beach sand eventually had to come to an end though, leaving us only the option of texts and talking.

My short romance really got me thinking about friends with benefits. I have had back home, since that was exactly what we were holding true to – an unspoken agreement to have sex in the sand, without any commitment and no desire to pursue a romantic relationship. Unfortunately, not all friends with benefits relationships end as kindly as my recent one and I have had plenty end in disaster.It can be hard to decide if the potential consequences are worth the risk. Sure, you are getting laid, but navigating the awkward morning after can be tricky. Luckily, I am here to help my “friends.” I will explain how to initiate a friends with benefits relationship, how to handle the dreaded fall out and that a lot can be great about having a friends with benefits. However, if something goes wrong, it can be incurable.

I admit that I have pulled a “secret x-ray” on a friend, undressing them slowly with my eyes. While imagining a steamy moment wrapped in the bed sheets with him, I am rudely interrupted by him shrugging my shoulders to call for my attention about the level he just beat in his video game. Let’s see how to sail out of the “friend zone” without entering the hazardous waters of dating.

First, initiate some flirty contact. Mention to him or her that they look snazzy. Go fishing for compliments; it might pull out a huge bass. While dropping a one liner, amp up the physical contact with a smooth pick up line to match. This will be the defining moment, and I suggest learning how to read into people. If he or she pushes an awkward giggle and turns their back or pretends to text someone (yes, we all have done it), then chances are as slim as the contestants on “America’s Next Top Model.” If they show some interest, such as a genuine smile or an attempted flirty comeback, the coast is clear.

Once, on the road to sex without strings, decide if this is a one night stand or a vigorous sex parade. If both partners decide to march in line, put forth the effort to maintain the friends with benefits relationship.

The master key to a successful “FWB” is honesty. Be forward and blunt. Tell them the only expectation is sex. Beforeugoing and raisine your right hand swearing to abide by the guidelines of your “FWB,, be sure that no emotions will arise. If they do, cut the cord.

Keep in mind not all great things last forever. That booty call routine might eventually run dry. Whether someone develops feelings, either of you finds another, want a serious relationship or you simply get bored of your friends with benefitB be prepared to be able to move on.t that is the beauty of a friends with benefitB anyway – being able to do some hanky panky without the courting or the months of singing Alanis Morissette in the shower after it’s done.

With these bare bone tips to engage in your own friends with benefitB adventures, don’t forget that you don’t have to be MacGyver to always be prepared. Especially in a non-monogamous situation where your friends with benefitB could be your sloppy 15th that week. use contraceptives to avoid any unwanted “remember college” surprises during alum reunions.

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A big part of me struggled with writing this column because I didn’t want to offend people, and I didn’t want to add to the stereotype that all college students are either thinking about having sex, having sex or they just finished having sex. I don’t think we are all these sex-craved loonies that move from partner to partner, never considering what it means to live according to our beliefs.

I never wanted to participate in the society that has deemed that women must be Victoria’s Secret models in order to be sexy and that men have to have six packs and large junk in order to be good in bed. I never wanted to be a voice in media who took morals and values out of the picture in order to fit into the norm. In fact, I struggled a lot with the fact that some of my columns were “cosmo-esque” and as much as I love Cosmo I don’t really think that everything they tell us is 100 percent valid.

Sex is funny, wild, sensual, exhilarating, quiet, loud, and most of all personal. To advocate for safe sex and combat sexual violence, we have to open the discussion. Without the ability to talk to each other, issues such as these won’t be solved. But is it right to open the discussion on a matter that is so personal? Is it right to talk about other people’s experiences in a public forum? Is it a help or is it just another form of gossip?

My dad actually proved my point the other day. He made some weird, sexual comment toward my mom that I wasn’t supposed to hear, but the volume was up so high on the phone that my mom was talking on that I heard. He then continued to make a joke out of it. Yet, he won’t read the column. I think it’s because first he doesn’t want to hear his daughter say these things, but honestly I think it is because it is easier to joke about sex than it is to actually have a conversation about the reality of sex.

Sex education tells us the basics: A penis goes into the vagina and the sperm is released. Then the sperm swim to the egg and all it takes is 1 sperm to fertilize the egg. I am imagining almost like an Easter egg hunt where the little swimming tadpole-like-creatures are the participants inside the pool of my uterus. Is this the impression we want our children to have after they complete sex education?

This is why I wrote the column, I wrote it because sex is a big deal, whether we realize it now or in two, five, or ten years. Sex comes with implications: Warts, crabs, babies, broken condoms, bliss, less stress, emotional attachments, awkward conversations, inspiring conversations, and a variety of ways to express many different feelings. I heard a story the other day form a guy on campus who had never had sex. He was telling a story about his old neighbor. His neighbor had everything; he was an ex-college basketball player, tall, handsome, and fairly wealthy. One day they were talking about their sexual experiences, and the neighbor started crying. He looked at my friend and said, “I have slept with over 300 girls since I started at 17. I go out every night and I’ll sleep with two to three women a day. I just can’t even look at myself anymore, I wish I was still a virgin. Man, you did it right.”

I’m not advocating for all of us to be virgins. I think we all get the chance to make our own decisions, but I think what I have learned over the past four years is that sex can hurt as much as it can bring pleasure. We might not know the effects of that hurt until we are 35-years-old like my friend’s neighbor.

When we know where our values lie, we are less likely to engage in risky behavior.

Knowing who we are and what we stand for does not make life any easier, but it gives us something bigger than ourselves to live for. The cool part about college is we make a lot of mistakes and we succeed in a lot of our endeavors and through that experience we change.

We learn from every opportunity and hopefully that helps us on our journey to finding out exactly who we are and who we want to become.

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So how do we find out spring flings this season? One of my friends had the idea to “accidently” forget your thumb-drive in the computer at the library. So just walk up and be like I am sorry, I lost my thumb-drive, can I check if it’s here? Flash a smile, muster up the nerve to say hello and introduce yourself. Picking up people or starting a random conversation is nerve-wracking but it is such a fun and amusing part of the dating game.

I know we have probably all been in situations where we are hitting ourselves over the head for saying the dumbest thing ever in response to an awkward question.

The other day, a guy in my roommate’s class asked her, “If I were to ask you on a date, what would you say?” She said, “It depends on the day.” He goes, “Well, what about Tuesday?” Then, my roommate goes, “I will have to check my planner.” Most awkward conversation ever, but at least it got a conversation started. (I’ll let you know how the date goes, if they ever make it to coffee.)

Then a couple days later, this (cute) guy, who sits next to me in class and mildly will respond if I say something to him, finds me on Facebook. He messaged me: “If a guy like me asked a girl like you to hang out, what would you say?” If I hadn’t been dating someone at the time, I would have said yes to hanging out.

But as I looked at the message, I just was so confused as to why he couldn’t have just asked me after class to go out to dinner or coffee. It wasn’t creepy, in fact I am glad he got up the nerve to ask me out. It just made me wonder why dates aren’t a “thing” anymore and “movies” at someone’s house are the norm.

As I was talking to my cousin about it, he said well I like this girl but I don’t have her number. So I told him to ask for her number and ask her on a date. He stared at me with huge eyes and said college students don’t go on dates, we just make out at the bars and call it true love.  I said, if a guy actually called me after we made out at the bar, I would jump up and down for days , so just call her.

I asked my Facebook friends, what the funniest/weirdest pick up line you’ve ever experienced. One of the girls said, one guy asked me if I liked pizza at the bar. The weird part was that he never asked me to go get any with him. Another girl said this guy came up to her at the bar and said “Do you know the song, Your Body is a Wonderland because I wrote that song about you, and John Mayor stole the lyrics, I just wanted to give you a heads up.” Then he walked away.

What are we supposed to do with this information? Frankly, if some guy came up to me with some cheesy pick up line like, “I’m no Fred Flintstone but I can make the bed rock.” I would probably die laughing while hoping at the same time that he will continue the conversation.

It doesn’t matter how you talk to someone, or when you talk to someone, it just matters that you do it sincerely and with confidence.  So use the cheesy pick-up lines or the awkward encounters as a segway into conversation.

I know, I know, conversation with a person face to face? It will be hard, we might be required to put “draw something” away for a couple of minutes, but a genuine conversation could spark a new friendship with a simple pick up line.

Dare of the weekend: use a pick up line on someone (preferably cheesy). If you do, write me the story and let’s see if we can keep the spring season of fondling going. P.S. I have some skittles in my mouth, and I would love for you to taste the rainbow.

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This is why students and Laramie community members marched in silence on Tuesday afternoon to raise awareness of sexual violence. In five years of college, between one and four college women are likely to be sexually assaulted, according to the STOP Violence website. Take a look around the room you are in or walk through the union–how many people have had to endure this kind of abuse, alone?

One of the people who spoke on the topic Tuesday was Nancy Schwartzman. She is the founder of the Line Campaign, a non-profit organization and movement that is committed to empowering young leaders to create a world without sexual violence. On Tuesday she said something very interesting. She said that at the same time that women are becoming sexually liberated, we have actually lost our voice in the process. Saying “yes” to sex is now an assumption and we have suddenly lost the ability to say “no.” Schwartzman asks us where we are going to draw our line, as individuals and as a community.

I say we draw our line well above consent. We want to hear “yes, yes, yes, I want to have sex with you!” We want the “oh my goodness, I cannot wait to take your clothes off!” We want to hear enthusiastic consent. And if you don’t want to enthusiastically consent, then by all means enthusiastically decline.

Trust me when I say this: The “Ya, sure, I guess.” Or the “I don’t know, maybe later,” comments are good to listen to. On both sides—girls and guys. The scary part about consent is that a lot of it can get lost in translation with body language, mumbled responses and simply the surge of hormones pumping through our blood.

That is why it is so important to think about your decision to have sex before you even enter the situation. If you want to say no, you can. It does not matter what the rest of the world says–what your friends say, what your parents say, what your neighbors say, what your partners say. Nothing matters, except for what you want to say and do. I know, I know, easier said than done.

So many times the world is telling us one thing, our partner is saying another, and we are saying something different. And when you are in that moment, everything from the outside world disappears. But we cannot let that happen. We need to be aware of sexual violence and we need to know in our hearts and minds that if someone says no, it means no. With an increased awareness, and an increased confidence as a community to fight sexual violence, fewer rapes are going to happen. Fewer men and women will be emotionally and physically violated in ways they did not think would ever happen to them.

As a community we need to decide where our line lies, and whether you are having sex or not, our line should say that sex without consent is rape.

If you need to talk to anyone, contact the STOP violence program coordinator, Jules Arthur (307) 766-3296 or call the emergency hotline: 307-766-STOP (7867)

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Before spring break, this guy and I are were starting to have this great “thing.” We were spending all of our time together, texting, he met my friends and I even told my grandma about him—Definitely true love. Of course, I say that about every guy I meet.

Back to the point, this guy and I were starting to replace the “talking time” with the “touching time” to a point where we both felt disconnected from each other. I didn’t know how to talk to him in order to figure out a balance between the emotional, mental and physical sides of this new relationship. So, naturally, I talked to my girlfriends. As it turns out, one of my girlfriends is going through a similar thing with her new bf.

She just started dating someone who is extremely busy. They have found time to be together, but she is concerned now because they have to make a choice whether to have sex or to spend time getting to know each other without the physical. Like me, she doesn’t know how to confront him about reaching a balance between the two.

My theory is that when you have an emotional connection, the physical can make you two much closer. I also think it can work in the reverse, if you have a physical connection, it can bring two people closer together emotionally. However, when the physical becomes the only part of your relationship, is it really a relationship?

The guy I had been seeing asked me that exact question. He said he wanted to get to know me as a person, but not entirely in a physical way. So when the physical pushed us away from “talking time,” he said he didn’t want to pursue the relationship. It was almost like it was one extreme or the other. Either you are courting or you are sex buddies (neither are bad,) but why can’t there be a healthy in-between?

My advice: Make time for dates. Go out to dinner or make dinner together. Make a list of cool things you want to do together, like cliff jumping, exploring Centennial or hiking in Vedauwoo. With a balance between activities that can strengthen your emotional and mental connection, ideally the physical connection will become even stronger.

I always have seen the two on an even playing field. Everyone I have heard of who has had great sex either 1) had sex with someone who actually knew what they were doing or 2) they were emotionally connected to his or her partner. I think sometimes in the midst of our “one-night-stand” and “drunk-hanky-panky” hook-up culture, we forget that we are looking for someone who can not only fulfill our physical needs but our emotional needs, too.

Making time to get to know each other outside of the bedroom can increase your passion inside the bedroom. I am not advocating either way, maybe all you want to do is talk, or maybe all you want to do is round the bases. At the end of the day, it is up to the needs of the couple. Consent is needed inside and outside of the bedroom. If you are looking for that emotional connection, you have to be willing to say “yes” and to consent in giving the other person a different part of you.

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In high school, I remember one of my good friends always had sex on her period without any protection because she couldn’t get pregnant. When I told her that wasn’t true, she looked at me like I was crazy. I had forgotten about this myth until I heard a girl talking this past week. She said, well I heard that if I swim in a pool with guys I can get pregnant. I know we have all learned the basics, if a sperm and an egg have a rendezvous, a baby is formed. But what misconceptions about protection and pregnancy are out there floating around and getting spread like bad gossip? This week we have a Q&A session about pregnancy.

Q: If I swim in the pool after someone has ejaculated in it, can I get pregnant? Or if I have water sex can I get pregnant?

A: You cannot get pregnant just by swimming in a pool where a guy has ejaculated. Because of the chemicals in the water, the sperm cannot survive. However, if you are having sex in a pool/hot tub and he goes inside of you then yes you can get pregnant. If he ejaculates outside of the vagina, you should be fine. Be careful with the condoms though, because the added pressure and decreased lubricant may cause them to rupture or slip off. Lifestyle condoms said, “It is important to remember that if the water contains chemicals such as chlorine or additives such as bath oil or bubble bath it may harm a latex condom.”

Q: My boyfriend says that it is OK to have unprotected sex because he will pull out and then we won’t be able to get pregnant, is that true?

A: No, the pull out method is not a 100 percent effective form of birth control. There is this tricky thing called premature ejaculation. Even if he pulls out, he could have still inserted some sperm into your cave and all it takes is one sperm for a baby to happen. Planned Parenthood said, “Some experts believe that pre-ejaculation, or pre-cum, can pick up enough sperm left in the urethra from a previous ejaculation to cause pregnancy.”

Q: I can only get pregnant on the day I ovulate, so like one day a month right?

A: Not exactly. Though you are more fertile during your ovulation period, sperm can survive up to 5 days because they are fighters and they want in. Therefore, technically you can get pregnant at any time of the month, even on your period. You do have a slimmer chance of getting pregnant when you are on your period, but it can still happen.  Cosmo sums it up best: “The bottom line: If you are not using contraception, it’s a crapshoot.”

Q: OK, I’m on birth control but I missed a day and just continued on with my pack instead of taking two the next time. Do my chances of getting pregnant significantly increase?

A: If you just miss one pill, usually you should take it as soon as you remember, even if it is two at the same time. You should not have to use a back-up birth control method. However, if you miss two active pills you should take two pills on the day that you remember and two pills the next day. In this case, you may become pregnant so you should use a back-up method of contraception. All of these instructions come with your birth control pack.

If you don’t want to get pregnant, use contraception methods like birth control and condoms. Your best bet is to always use protection so that we don’t have any unwanted little tykes with steamboat gear running around campus just yet. Girls and guys alike are responsible for their own bodies, so women it is  OK to carry condoms.

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Birth control has a negative stigma attached to it. The assumption is that if you are on it, you must be having sex.

Last week, Rush Limbaugh called law student Sandra Fluke, from Georgetown University, a slut and a prostitute. He claimed that because she supports the Obama administration mandate that employers provide contraception coverage on their insurance policies, she is asking the government to subsidize her sex life. In other words, she wanted the government to pay for her to have sex making her a “prostitute.”  My question, when did her sex life enter the picture? All she wanted was contraceptive coverage on her insurance.

She could be having sex and wants to protect herself against pregnancy. She could have horrible menstrual pain and wants to ease the suffering. She could have awful acne and wants to regulate her hormones in hopes of clearing her face. There are a million reasons to be on birth control, besides as a way to protect yourself against unwanted pregnancies. You can lower your risk of cancer, you can get clearer skin, and you can get Endometriosis relief, to name a few.

I know that it is an election year, so everyone is talking politics but I think this issue lies within the insurance policies themselves. For example, many insurance policies cover vasectomies. The majority of men who get vasectomies do so to prevent pregnancy.  The definition of a vasectomy is “the surgical cutting and sealing of part of each vas deferens, typically as a means of sterilization.” In simple terms, a vasectomy is a form of male contraception.

Protecting yourself against pregnancy is not sinful. A man who gets a vasectomy does not carry the same stigma as a woman on birth control, but they are doing the same thing. They are protecting themselves against unwanted pregnancies. I think that women should be allowed to have contraceptive insurance coverage that is equal to the contraceptive coverage for men.

Many people have questioned if the Obama administration mandate is an attack on religious freedom or simply an issue of women’s rights. With the mandate, some religious organizations, like churches, are exempt, but not all religious organizations. Many are arguing that the government should not force their organization to provide affordable contraception because it goes against their morals and values as an institution.

This brings me back to my original point, being on birth control doesn’t mean you are having sex. Allowing women the option to be able to protect themselves against unwanted pregnancy is a basic woman’s right.

Sandra Fluke shared a story as she was testifying before a Democratic congressional panel convened by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi: “Just last week, a married female student told me that she had to stop using contraception because she and her husband just couldn’t fit it into their budget any more. Women employed in low-wage jobs without contraceptive coverage face this same choice.”

She went on to say that Georgetown University covers birth control if used for medical reasons, but many religious institutions do not have that clause within their policy. This mandate should not be seen as an attack on religious values, because even if women of faith are on birth control or using contraception, it does not automatically mean she is engaging in sexual activity. This mandate advocates for women to be able to afford contraception in a way that promotes healthy living for women. I think we would all agree that women, as well as men, deserve the opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle.

There are many different sides to this argument, and most of them have valid reasons for why they are arguing one way or another. Any opinions; shoot me an e-mail, tweet or blog message! I would love to hear what you have to say.

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