Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
#MeToo. Top Story - November 2017.
There’s this hashtag going around Facebook recently - you might have seen it? It goes like this: "If all the women/femme aligned folks who have been sexually harassed or assaulted wrote "#MeToo” as a status, we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem."
By Kate Nichols8 years ago in Viva
What to Know About Permanent Birth Control for Women
It is important to know that you have options when it comes to permanent birth control procedures. This process can seem intimidating without knowing all of the details. And this is why it is crucial to know what to expect, how your recovery process will go, and what is best for your body. Your local women's health organization will always be of great help in your process, as well.
By Sherry Campbell8 years ago in Viva
Comfort of Darkness
Darkness. It’s comfortable. I’ve hidden in it since I can remember, like delving into a cool black lake and submerging my head beneath the water, disappearing from reality. It stings my skin and makes me feel alive. Refreshed. To everyone around me, I am still invisible. I am safe, now. No more of that, no sir. I’ll probably have to go to the diner soon, to meet her, but I don’t want to. Little sister doesn’t understand me because she’s had a perfect life. After all these years, she loves to make damn sure I know it. She left me by myself that night, after we promised to always be there for each other. All that talk about sex — she loves it.
By Nadia Zielinska8 years ago in Viva
Of Course Men and Women Can Be 'Just Friends'
“Can men and women really be 'just friends?' Asking for a friend...” The Facebook page for the website SoulPancake.com decided to throw some chum in the water of the ongoing gender conversation by sarcastically asking if men and women can really be ‘Just Friends.’ I get what they are trying to do, kick up some social media dust for some action on their Facebook page. That said, the social media team for SoulPancake.com might want to read the room a little before they get cute with the traffic friendly cheapies. The question of whether men and women can be "just friends" is much more of a hot button than they seem to think.
By Sean Patrick8 years ago in Viva
#metoo: Thoughts for the Men We Love
I am really looking forward to the day when I don't first need to preface this post by saying I understand a lot of readers may not necessarily agree with this, and that clearly I am not casting all men into a pit of shame and blame. I'd really like to not need to remind the men who I love dearly that I do not see them all as mainstream jerks who've ruined my, or other women's lives.
By Katie Froese8 years ago in Viva
The #metoo Denier
I’m a sexist. This revelation was as much of a surprise to me as I’m sure it is to you reading it. Even more so when I consider my family, made up predominantly of strong women, and my friendship group full of bright, intelligent wonderful ladies, to whom I regularly preach the importance of women and female friendships. Not to mention the fact that I identify as a feminist.
By Lara Dolden8 years ago in Viva
I Am Strong
It was the start of my sophomore year of high school, I was scared and excited. Worried and carefree. I was far from popular but I had friends, lots of them. We were the outcasts, the kids in Japanese culture club. We played Magic the Gathering in study hall, Pokémon on our DS’s walking through the hallway. I was a tough cookie. I joined protests, silent and loud. I protested animal abuse, the firing of the lunch ladies, sexual assault. I wore the teal ribbon in April for all of my friends who had suffered through sexual abuse and assault. I taped over my mouth on the Day of Silence for those who fought depression silently and didn’t win the battle. I was strong in what I believed in and I was even stronger in knowing who I was.
By Emma Bukovsky8 years ago in Viva
What’s Up with Her?
It seems like a lot these days we see a lot of domestic violence campaigns and awareness. I’m sure most of you have seen the advertisements on who to call in an emergency on the back of your public restroom doors at some point. Or have signed a permission slip to have your daughter or son attend a class or watch a certain movie in school about domestic violence. But what is actually happening? Why is it spreading around and why does it keep happening to younger and younger adults and why is it becoming normalized? This is my story as a 19-year-old female whose day to day life is a statistic in the signs on the back of those bathroom stalls.
By Alexa Anne8 years ago in Viva
Millennial Pink is the Undeserved Heroine of 2017
Pink is, as we learned in third grade, a mixture of white and red. Two colors, beautiful in their own right, combined into something arguably even prettier. Millennial pink as a concept follows that rule of mixture: archaic gender roles, but given a forward-thinking twist.
By Brandon Phenix8 years ago in Viva
Life After Abortion
For most couples, finding out they are expecting can be an exciting journey. Everything from picking out names to the color of the nursery is an exciting time! Unfortunately, this isn't the reality for everyone. For others, finding out they are expecting is anything but exciting... Instead, it's a time filled with uncertainty, regret, and the fears of the future.
By Kelcie Cyn8 years ago in Viva
Women Respecting Women
“What are you doing?” “What are you wearing?” “Don’t you have any respect for yourself?” Whether these questions have been directed at us or a woman we know, many women have learned, through the patriarchal society, that if we are participating in any activity deemed inappropriate or not "respectable," we are not worthy of respect. Women are often monitored on their clothing choices, sexual activities, drinking, or late night habits. Society polices women's clothing and bodies on a daily basis. These views are extremely misogynistic and lead to people, men and women alike, judging women's behavior in order to determine whether or not they deserve respect.
By Emma Pindera8 years ago in Viva
