Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Mental Abuse
This is my story on suffering mental abuse in a relationship. I guess I will just start from the beginning. I met a guy in a time of my life where I felt I absolutely needed someone to be happy. I didn’t truly love myself or believe myself to be worthy, and jumped at any guy who came my way. This is when I started dating my first long-term boyfriend.
By anyonymous a7 years ago in Viva
The Doctor Swept My Pain Under the Rug
If it weren't for Facebook, I wouldn't have remembered that today was my six year anniversary of the day I almost died. Actually, that's a lie, I knew it was coming up. I just didn't quite remember the day. Maybe it's because I don't see it as a big deal anymore, or maybe it was so traumatic that I just don't want to think about. Honestly, I think it's a combination. You can't go through something like that and not have some type of traumatising effect, and I'm so happy and grateful that I'm still here, that I'm thriving; that maybe it's not such a big deal.
By Elizabeth Mullins7 years ago in Viva
Consent, Consent, Consent!
Verb: Give permission for something to happen. One of, if not the most important fundamental required to get your freak on with someone you're sexually attracted to and yet frequently misunderstood. Women have often been hurt one way or another by misunderstood consent and we need to protect them. Through my "male-lense," which is at times goofy, barbaric and yet sensible, I will explain how to understand and ask for consent as education is important and hopefully this is the first of many.
By Icarus Bandela7 years ago in Viva
What Happens After Rape?
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. And while the #MeToo movement gets a bad reputation for being “too feminist” (“too feminist” is a load of bullshit, if you ask me), I think that this movement has made it easier for individuals to share their stories… myself included. I’ve *briefly* talked about my rape before in another Vocal post titled, “An Open Letter to My Rapist.” It was more of a poetic “fuck you” than anything else, but it was cathartic nonetheless. However, as I’ve pondered and thought and reread, I realized that there was a big part of the story that was missing. And when I look at other people’s stories, I noticed the same thing. We all talk about the rape or assault, but never what happens afterwards. So I wanted to write on this topic again and do it justice. Tell the full story. After-effects and all. No sugar coating… I’ll start at the beginning.
By Rowan Flores7 years ago in Viva
Never That Kind of Beautiful
Beauty standards. They travel, they change, but really, they stay the same: so hard to achieve. However, for some they are easier to reach. People with money, able-bodied people and also, you guessed it, White people. European or Eurocentric beauty standards are a very strange concept when you sit down and think about it. This idea that people from multiple ends of the world are desperately trying to look like the sometimes opposite of what they naturally look like, is quite absurd. I also think this topic is interesting because for White people, it is something they most likely will never think about before hearing it from the mouth of people of colour. This article will give, hopefully, a voice to women who have been affected by this very racially narrow vision of female beauty, and how they learned to find beauty in themselves regardless. This article is about the ones who have been told they were beautiful… but never that kind of beautiful.
By Allie Pauld7 years ago in Viva
10 Surprising Facts About Vintage LGBTQ Culture
It's official, being gay is okay. LGBTQ rights are human rights according to the law, and it's a wonderful thing. We now have the right to marry, be open about our sexuality without worrying about job termination, and we can also adopt.
By Skunk Uzeki7 years ago in Viva
I'm Not Sorry Anymore
From a very young age, I remember being highly aware of EVERYTHING. Including the way people spoke about women. It seems as though everyone has their own idea of what the "perfect" woman consists of. Unfortunately, it was in my nature from day one to try and comply.
By Amanda Varriale7 years ago in Viva
