The Ontarion - 186.2 by The Ontarion

186.2 | Jan. 31, 2019

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University of Guelph board rejects proposal for Fossil Fuel Divestment BOARD WILL TURN TO AN ESG LENS, CUTS CARBON GAS EMISSIONS OF ENDOWMENT BY 10 PER CENT STORY BY MATTEO CIMELLARO & PHOTO COURTESY OF FOSSIL FREE GUELPH

MEMBERS OF THE STUDENT activist group Fossil Free Guelph (FFG) are disappointed by U of G Board of Governors’ decision to reject their proposal and accept the recommendations. “I think our initial reaction was disappointing. It’s not the answer we wanted. We feel that this is an urgent climate crisis, we don’t have a lot of time and so we were really hoping the board would see that perspective and see why divestment is necessary,” Megan Peres told The Ontarion; Peres is an active member of Fossil Free Guelph and one of the students who spoke to the Board of Governors during the meeting. The decision comes at the heels of a United Nations report by the Intergovernmental Panel on

Climate Change (IPCC) noting that urgent action is needed to keep temperatures at the 1. 5 degrees Celsius that was pledged at the Paris Agreement. The meeting held last Wednesday, Jan. 23 saw approval of recommendations that set a target of 10 per cent reduction of carbon gas emissions within the University’s endowment in the next two years, as well as creating an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) lens for future and current investments. The ESG lens will give companies a quantifiable metric score that will decide how responsible investment is depending on if the company is environmentally and/ or socially responsible.

ON the Radar TRUDEAU FIRES CANADIAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA In a worsening of relations with the Chinese government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has fired the Canadian Ambassador John McCallum following a press conference with Chinese Canadian media, CBC reports. McCallum seemed to be sympathetic with Beijing in asserting that the arrest of Huawei’s executive Meng Wanzhou was politically motivated.

T he f inance commit t ee, a shoot-off branch of the board, will oversee the ESG investments. Currently, none of the members have ESG experience, although the Morgan Stanley Index, a third party index that ranks companies based on ESG, was purchased to give the endowment an ESG score. When asked if an ESG expert would be hired full time, Don O’Leary (vice president of finance, administration & risk), said that the Board needs to first discuss and define what is important to U of G’s investments going forward. “At some point in time, and I know the students asked for this, and we will have a conversation because we need to define what is important to us in terms of ESG,”

COMPILED BY MATTEO CIMELLARO

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ENDS The longest government shutdown in U.S. history ended on Friday, Jan. 25 after stretching for over 30 days, meanwhile, thousands of federal government employees went without pay. Some, including TSA employees, worked without pay for the 35 days, not knowing when they would see payments. Those employees will see backlogged pay this week. The shutdown was over Trump’s proposed border wall that required over $5 billion in funding that needed authorization from the Democrats. The government will reopen for three weeks while Democrats and Republicans continue negotiations, The New York Times reports.

BRUCE MCARTHUR PLEADS G U I LT Y T O M U R D E R S Toronto serial killer pleaded g uilt y to eight murders on Tuesday, Jan. 29. McArthur was arrested last year in a case that created tension between members of Toronto’s gay community and Toronto police. Critics believed that police were not doing enough in pursuing missing person cases involving gay men that were later identified as victims, The New York Times reports.

said O’Leary. “The young lady [Megan Peres] mentioned social injury [...] Is that more important than the environment? Is that less important than governance, we need to have that conversation.” S ocial injur y was a point stressed by FFG as a motivator for divestments. In the meeting, there were concerns over investments in companies involved in the forceful removal of Indigenous protestors on unceded Wet’suwet’en land. Other social injury concerns are more general in terms of climate change’s impact on marginalized and impoverished communities due to heat waves, displacement, and water accessibility issues. “Given ESG factors take a lot of things into consideration, but

a lot of the emphasis from the university seems to be reducing our carbon emissions. When we talk about divestment it’s a huge climate change issue, but it’s also an economic issue, a human rights issue,” Aidan Brushett, a first-year member of FFG, said in an interview with The Ontarion. “There are so many Indigenous communities being trampled over by fossil fuel companies, and that’s something that’s important that can’t be reconciled by engaging with these companies.” “Divestment is not a silverbullet solution, but it does make a strong statement,” said Peres. “The recommendations are good, but it’s not enough.”

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TH E O NTA R I O N

U of G sex research looks at condom use and pleasure GUELPH SEXUALITY CONFERENCE SPANS FOUR DECADES TA S H A FA LC O N E R

THE UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH has many connections to sexuality. Guest speakers give lectures and panel discussions on various topics regarding sexuality, including an upcoming presentation by writer and sex educator Cory Silverberg. There are also sexual workshops hosted by the Wellness Education Centre and other organizations on campus.

director of the Psychophysiology of Sexual Health (POSH) lab, where thermal imaging technology is used to better understand sexual responses. Thermography is a less invasive technique than many of the others available (such as penile strain gauge and vaginal photoplethysmograph), as it uses heat-detecting cameras to measure arousal; more heat in the genital area equals more arousal.

DR. TUULI KUKKONEN | OBTAINED VIA U OF G

Every year the University of Guelph hosts the Guelph Sexuality Conference, which will have its 41st annual meeting this June. There are also professors on campus who research sexuality. Dr. Tuuli Kukkonen is the

DR. ROBIN MILHAUSEN | OBTAINED VIA U OF G

Dr. Robin Milhausen, an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition at U of G, also conducts research in the field of sexuality. In 2018, her publications focused

on condom use and pleasure. Three studies conducted by Milhausen and colleagues showed the connections between these variables. 1. Do Associations Between Pleasure Ratings and Condom Use During Penile–Vaginal Intercourse Vary by Relationship Type?: A Study of Canadian University Students One of these studies investigates the influence of relationship status on condom use and pleasure; researchers found that condom use is higher for those in less committed relationships (think one-time encounters or friends with benefits) than those in fully committed relationships. However, pleasure increases as relationships become more committed. For example, those in a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship find sex less pleasurable than those who are married. Lastly, this study also showed that within each relationship type, those who use a condom found sex just as pleasurable as those who did not use a condom. 2. T he Prot ec tive Va lue of Discussing Condom Use: A

Study of Young Black Men Attending STI Clinics in the Southern United States Another study found that those who talked with their sexual partner about condom use before engaging in sex had fewer reports of unprotected sex than those who did not discuss condom usage before sex. They also had a lower incidence of STIs and less slippage of the condom. Those who discussed condom use with their partner before sex viewed condoms as being a fun part of sex more than those who did not have the discussion. This may indicate an agreement to the idea that condom use can make sex more pleasurable, as it can be erotic to discuss preferences for condoms and lubricant. 3. A Pilot Test of a Self-Guided, Home-Based Intervention to Improve Condom-Related Sexual Experiences, Attitudes, and Behaviors Among Young Women The third study by Milhausen and colleagues was a pilot test of the Kinsey Institute, a non-profit condom research team. This

program involved women experimenting with different condoms and lubricants in a go-at-your-ownpace environment to determine what is pleasurable. This pleasureoriented program was successful in aiding participants to be more comfortable in the negotiation and application of condoms. This positively impacted the more consistent use of condoms and helped participants and their partners enjoy sex with condoms more. The 2019 Guelph Sexuality Conference is scheduled to take place between June 20 and 21 in Rozanski Hall. The theme for this year is Redefining Relationships & Sexual Health. • Markie Twist (opening plenary) • Nancy Durand (featured speaker) • Trust is… (closing plenary) • Pleasure is for everybody: An exploration of sex and disability • STI Clinical Update • Genital Herpes: Clinical management and patient education • And more…

Farmers unearth undies in name of good soil management SOIL MICROBIAL HEALTH WITH PROFESSOR DAVE HUME PA I G E K E N N E DY

IS YOUR UNDERWEAR being eaten? Some progressive farmers are hoping so. Soil microbial health is a common concern for farmers, especially in the younger generation, and eaten underwear is a sign of good soil health. “There’s a growing increase in ‘I wonder if’ in young farmers,” says Dr. Dave Hume, professor emeritus with the U of G. “The young farmers are more receptive to the idea of soil health.” Hume is a soft-spoken, bespectacled man who sits comfortably in his well-lit office at the University of Guelph. Despite his retirement, Hume is often found in the Crop Science Building in his blue jeans and work boots running some of his own experiments on the efficacy of soybean inoculants or offering advice to graduate students. Hume explains that the younger generation of farmers has had greater exposure to the idea of soil health, and it’s working. According to Hume, younger farmers are more likely to change their management strategies to improve soil microbial health. Millennial farmers are thinking about the health of the farmland they are inheriting more than their parents did. As higher education in agriculture becomes more commonplace and public knowledge surrounding environmental

issues grows, soil microbial health is coming into the spotlight. In July 2017, farmers from the Soil Conservation Council of Canada decided to start testing their soil health with underwear. White cotton underwear was buried in the field at the start of the growing season. At the end of the summer, the farmers dug up and examined them. The farmers discovered that the cotton briefs had been consumed by the soil bacteria to varying degrees. The level of decomposition of the underwear should give farmers some insight into the rate of microbial activity in their soil. So how does it work? Manitoban soil specialist, Marla Riekman, explains that soil microbes are just as happy to eat up cotton underwear as they are to eat crop residue in the soil. Both crop residue and cotton underwear are sources of carbon and microbes are not picky. In more microbially-active soils, the underwear will be further decomposed. In less active soils, the underwear will remain intact. Claire Coombs, a research technician at Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), performed the “underwear test” a few years ago. The plots included some long-term no-till and conventional-tillage soybean test plots grown in a corn-soybean

Cotton briefs recovered after being buried for two months in (from L to R) a no-till corn, soybean, wheat and red clover rotation; a no-till soybean field; a continuous soybean rotation with conventional-till; and a conventional-till corn, soybean rotation. | Photo by Claire Coombs

rotation. These were compared to soybeans grown in a three-year rotation with corn and wheat. She found that the no-till plots in the wheatcorn-soybean rotation were the most microbially active. No-till agriculture is a farming technique in which crops are grown year after year without disturbing the soil through tillage. Benefits include better water retention and improved soil structure. Coombs’ conclusion might not come as a surprise, as no-till management is a rising trend in Ontario agriculture. Not only does no-till reduce labour, but evidence of soil health benefits seems to be growing. Coombs encourages farmers to bury some cotton underwear in their own fields. She wants farmers to gain additional perspectives on the health and activity of their soils. The “underwear test” offers a good visual to which farmers can refer. If conventional farmers are finding poor

activity levels in their soil, no-till may be a better option to consider. Hume is also a supporter of no-till cropping practices. He argues that no-till is the most economical way for farmers to improve soil health and soil structure. It improves soil activity and microbial health by allowing colonies of microbes, earthworms, and other soil dwellers to grow and thrive over time. Hume says that caring for soil microbial health, whether through no-till or not, is just one part of an important and complex system. Focusing on soil health alone is not necessarily going to get you the bin-buster yields you desire. “Cover crops [are] also a part of soil health,” he says. “Don’t leave bare soil, so root exudates are available to the soil organisms as much of the year as possible.” Hume also says that fertility and soil microbial health go hand-inhand. Increased yields rely on both factors. It is unclear as to whether

good fertility is a result of or cause of good soil health. “You don’t know if that’s the chicken or the egg,” Hume points out. Regardless of the order of improvement, Hume agrees that soil microbial health is a valid concern for young farmers. According to the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach website, healthy soils are less prone to erosion and tend to have higher aggregate stability. Crops grown in healthier soils tend to withstand drought and big rainfall events better than soils with poor health. Ontario farmers have noted signs of climate change in recent years including more variable weather conditions. Improving soil health is one way to hedge against extremes in climate. Over these long winter months, farmers might even consider purchasing a package of white cotton briefs of their own to plant with the soybeans and corn in the spring.

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#MeToo movement on Parliament Hill A CULTURE OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN PARLIAMENT FACES A RECKONING E L L A H A RV E Y

THE PROMINENCE AND widespread nature of the #MeToo movement has empowered women and men from all over the world to speak out against sexual misconduct and harassment both in and out of the workplace, and Parliament Hill is no exception. Since the hashtag #MeToo became a global phenomenon in October 2017 after the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal, dozens of people have come forward decrying the rampant sexual harassment on Parliament Hill. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, even told Global News that Parliament is in a “crisis” of sexual harassment. Parliament has long been tinged with a reputation as a place where sexual harassment is normalized. Federal politics, like many other workplaces, are dominated by men, and women have traditionally been few in number and limited in power. According to an anonymous survey from February 2018 by the Canadian Press, many staffers on Parliament Hill have received unwanted sexual attention. Sent to over 1500 staffers in Parliament last year, 24 per cent of respondents to this survey said they had personally experienced sexual harassment in their Parliamentary workplace, and almost eight per cent said they had experienced sexual assault. However, according to The Star, most of the staffers who experienced sexual misconduct on the Hill did not report it to the authorities, some citing their inaction to be a result of a fear of repercussions at work. Sexual harassment is not the only form of sexism seen on the Hill. While I was reaching out to colleagues on the Hill for anecdotes, another female intern, who prefers to remain unnamed, explained that she has experienced a great deal of patronization during her time working in Parliament. She said she has even been met with surprise from her male superiors when she produces decent work. Unfortunately, this type of behaviour is not unique to politics. It is not as if sexism in Parliament has been kept quiet. MPs and staffers from across the political spectrum have been accused of sexual misconduct in a highly public manner. To name a few: Kent Hehr, Scott Andrews, and Massimo Pacetti from the Liberals, Patrick Brown and Rick Dykstra from the Conservatives, and Peter Stoffer and Erin Weir from the NDP. Of course, sexual harassment is not reserved for staffers. According to Macleans, several MPs and cabinet ministers have also indicated that they have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. For example, Catherine McKenna, MP for Ottawa Centre

and Minister of the Environment, has been routinely called a “climate Barbie” on Twitter by politicians and civilians alike. When Conservative MP Gerry Ritz used the nickname on Twitter, McKenna quickly retorted with “Do you use that sexist language about your daughter, mother, sister? We need more women in politics. Your sexist comments won’t stop us.” She had ignored the name until then. She later explained her retort in an interview with Macleans: “Having your voice and exercising it, it’s giving the ability to other folks who may not be in a position of power to feel like they can do it.” There are several reasons why victims of sexual harassment may not report it, including shame and fear of losing status in the workplace. These factors are further exaggerated by the already tribal nature of the partisan culture on the Hill, as accusations of sexual misconduct can be seen as disloyalty. Other factors are limited job security and a work culture that routinely blurs the lines between personal and professional. To boot, there have historically been few consequences for inappropriate behaviour in Parliament, Katie Telford, the chief of staff to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, told The Star in an interview. With these factors, it may take longer for Parliament to come to terms with the #MeToo movement than other workplaces, as a larger cultural shift may be required before these societal changes waft up into the rafters of federal politics. But there are signs that these changes are already occurring, as Minister Hajdu introduced Bill C-65, the “anti-harassment bill” in November 2017 in an attempt to address these concerns. Among other things, this bill will strengthen the existing framework in place to prevent sexual harassment and violence in the workplace. The bill received royal assent in October 2018, but much of it has yet to come into force.

Writer’s note and disclaimer: My name is Ella; I’m a U of G alumna, and I intern for Elizabeth May — MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands and the leader of the Green Party of Canada (GPC). As Ms. May’s intern, I attend parliamentary committees, correspond with constituents, attend legislative affairs, and work closely with her legislative assistants. The catch is, I have no prior experience with or knowledge of politics. This column details my experiences learning about the political culture and proceedings on Parliament Hill. My views are my own, and do not represent those of the GPC or of The Honourable Elizabeth May, MP.

Bill C-65 aims to crack down on harrassment in federal workplaces

The #MeToo movement has reached Parliament Hill with a handful of MPs and staffers calling out misconduct in the workplace. | Graphic by Alora Griffiths

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ARTS & CULTURE

THE ONTARION

0 8 | S E XY TI M E TUNES

0 9 | SHAME & HEAL ING POEM

@ Ontarion Web

Five sex-themed shows and movies worth watching THE ONTARION’S STAFF PICKS | THE ONTARION STAFF

Rachel Weitz (Sports & Health Editor) recommends Big Mouth

Matteo Cimellaro (News Editor) recommends She’s Gotta Have It

Big Mouth is a Netflix original series created, produced, and written by comedian Nick Kroll, who also voices the protagonist and about 20 other characters. The show follows the lives of four 13-year-olds in middle school living in New York. Big Mouth is a twisted masterpiece that accurately depicts what it is like to be an awkward kid experiencing physical, psychological, and social changes throughout puberty. Each kid has their own hilariously vulgar “Hormone Monster,” a physical embodiment of puberty who tracks and influences their experiences as pubescent teens. While this series is often criticized for being perverted and graphic, it normalizes topics such as female masturbation, homosexuality, and generally bizarre sexual activities that kids this age do (spoiler alert: one kid is in a sexual relationship with his pillow). Big Mouth is the weirdest thing I’ve ever watched, and I love it.

Spike Lee’s first feature-length film (joint) centres around Nola Darling, a young, self-possessed black woman who can’t choose which man she wants, so she decides to date three different men at the same time. Much of the movie’s comedy derives from the conflict the men face, like at a scene where the three men share a dinner at Nola’s apartment. The movie is defined by unorthodox shots like fourthwall breaking monologues and a musical number. The Netflix series remake is worth viewing too, but do yourself a favour and start with the movie.

Tiffany Agliani (Director of Layout & Design) recommends Sex Education

It’s a British T V show on Netf lix with only one season containing eight episodes that are approximately 45 minutes in length. It follows awkward teen Otis, whose mother is a relationship and sex therapist. He teams up with a sort of “bad girl” type peer named Maeve and they set up a clinic using Otis’ knowledge of sex and relationships to help their peers with their occasionally weird sex and relationship problems. I really enjoyed watching it! The show touches on themes like growing up and being in high school, the sexual pressures that come along with that, messy teen relationships, and relationships with parents. It also has awesome representation of many minority groups. The show openly talks about sex and LGBT relationships and really just normalizes it. I loved it.

Karen K. Tran (Arts & Culture Editor) recommends Lovesick

This British sitcom was originally titled Scrotal Recall before Netflix commissioned its second season and renamed it Lovesick. The premise of the series is main character Dylan’s discovery that he has contracted chlamydia, and is contacting all of his former lovers to inform them of his diagnosis. Each of the episodes focuses on Dylan’s past relationships through flashbacks, and he reminisces on what he perceived went wrong that led to breaking up. This sitcom can be pretty cheesy; it’s worth binging if you’re in a hopelessly romantic mood.

A 2007 rom-com that follows eight different couples’ conversations about the ups and downs of relationships. What makes this film so different and fun is that all the conversations take place immediately after sex. There are also many different types of relationships being portrayed in this film: straight, lesbian, gay, open, swingers, and first timers. Usually films only show one or none of these types of relationships. It’s a fun film that shows no matter what type of relationship you’re in, we all experience certain universal emotions.

TOP TEN ALBUMS

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

LUGE* Tall Is Just a Feeling (Self-Released)

LEE REED* Before & Aftermath (Strange Famous)

TORO Y MOI Outer Peace (Carpark)

MUTT** Buck Moon (Self-Released)

ELISAPIE* The Ballad of the Runaway Girl (Bonsound)

ALLISON AU QUARTET* Wander Wonder (Self-Released)

ROYAL CANOE* Waver (Paper Bag Records)

THE O’PEARS* Stay Warm (Self-Released)

DEERHUNTER Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared? (4AD)

ALEXANDRA STRÉLISKI* Inscape (Secret City) *Canadian Artist

PHOTO OBTAINED VIA UNSPLASH

Al o ra Gr i ffi ths ( Mul ti me d i a Content Creator & Editor) recommends After Sex

**Local Artist

A RT S & CU LTU R E

JA N UA RY 31 , 2019

TH E O NTA R I O N It’s no secret that sex is an essential element of any healthy relationship. It’s super important to cherish that intimate time with your partner no matter how busy life may get. So, to help set the mood, we’ve hand-picked 20 songs for you and your partner. From sensual R&B slow jams to steamy oldies but goodies, we’ve got you covered. Listen on Spotify by searching Sarah Seukeran or Ontarion Web.

Sexy time

PLAYLIST by Sarah Seukeran

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY Donna Summer

SPECIAL AFFAIR The Internet

REDBONE Childish Gambino

PONY Ginuwine

GRIND WITH ME Pretty Ricky

SKIN Mac Miller

TEACH ME Miguel

KISS IT BETTER Rihanna

ALL THE TIME Jeremih ft. Lil Wayne, Natasha Mosley

DEMONSTRATE JoJo

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

 @Ontarion Web

CARELESS WHISPER George Michael

ROCKET Beyoncé

ANY TIME, ANY PLACE Janet Jackson

FRIENDLY SKIES Missy Elliott ft. Ginuwine

DIFFERENCES Ginuwine

SEX THERAPY Robin Thicke

FIRST TIME Jessie Ware RELATIVE PEACE (OBAN REWORK)

Kimbra ft. Young Dreams, Jaga Jazzist

WHEREVER U GO Raveena

WHEN YOU ’ RE SMILING AND ASTRIDE ME Father John Misty

Looking to get involved on campus?

VOLUNTEER WITH US AT THE ONTARION! Contact Anna at anaim@theontarion.com for more information.

Volunteer meetings this semester: Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in UC264

EST. 1951

Jan. 31 Feb. 7 Feb. 28

Mar. 7 Mar. 14

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Shame and Healing Poem & Photo by Emily Matin Shame i am unworthy there is something wrong with me for letting it happen for not telling sooner for loving her like a sister despite what she did for being scared to trust Shame there is something wrong with these breasts that grew out of this chest for feeling what they felt with her when I was still a child when it was all wrong

| A RT S & CU LTU R E

it was not my fault

Shame i should hide them away these breasts

Healing i want the child to know that there is a time to be held when it feels gentle, right and true when there is no shame in the body’s desire Healing i want the child to know that it’s truly time to let the shame go

hunch my shoulders because i am unworthy Shame it is not mine to carry anymore i didn’t give it to myself she gave it to me and I give it back to her Healing i am worthy of love and pleasure and gentleness

because it’s not hers to carry anymore Healing i want the child to know that now she’s safe And what’s mine to carry is self-love, kindness and compassion strength, courage and authenticity

i am not wrong for being Healing these breasts and this body are beautiful and strong

and the right to hold tightly in my heart the simple sweetness of life

Looking to get involved with a non-proﬁt organization?

VOLUNTEER FOR THE ONTARION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Contact Josh at jmillen@theontarion.com for more information.

EST. 1951

SPORTS & HEALTH THE ONTARION

1 5 | T H E E ND OF S E X?

1 5 | SEX NOISES

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The pill: Do you know what you’re putting in your body? NEGATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES R AC H E L W E I T Z

BIRTH CONTROL PILLS are one of the most popular and effective methods of contraception for women. With a maximum effectiveness rate of 99 per cent, it’s no wonder why it is the preferred choice of contraceptive for women worldwide. We all know the benefits of the pill. For one, estrogen and progestin, the hormones that make up the pill, stop ovulation. If sperm enters the body, it’s nearly impossible for it to fertilize an egg because they are not being released from the ovaries. This, in turn, prevents unwanted pregnancies. Additionally, the controlled release of the two aforementioned hormones in birth control pills keep menstruation on a schedule, making it easy for women to keep track of their periods. S ome o t her no t a ble b enefits are that it can help clear up acne, make periods lighter, and alleviate the symptoms of

premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Even so, its popularity has decreased significantly for women older than 30 over the last decade. In 2006, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) conducted a survey of 3,200 Canadian women and found that 39 per cent of women over age 30 used birth control pills as their primary contraceptive. In 2016, that number dropped to 15.7 per cent for women in this age group. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for women aged 15 to 44, the current statistic in the United States is barely higher with birth control pill use at 16 per cent. Why the drop-off? One reason could be the myriad of dangers associated with taking birth control pills. Commercials advertising medications stereotypically contain a laundry list of warnings about

negative side effects pertaining to the product. While many consumers make fun of said commercials, these cautionary lists are important to mention. Some minor side effects include nausea and vaginal discharge, which typically only last for the first cycle on the pill. Something that many patients worry about is weight gain. Again, this is not a serious side effect, but is consistent among most versions of birth control. Where it gets concerning is the decrease in libido from the significant hormonal changes occurring in your body. As previously mentioned, there is a controlled release of estrogen and progestin over each cycle. Most females naturally produce and release estrogen and progesterone. Progestin is similar to progesterone, but is synthetically created for oral contraceptives. The synthetic hormones are being released in the body at a lower rate than naturally, which decreases libido and makes it harder for women to reach climax during sex. Pregnancy can cause more serious health problems than birth control can, but rare occurrences of extremely severe health

LoLo, a common 28-pack of pills for first-time birth control users. Photo by Alora Griffiths

complications do come up. Some examples are trouble breathing, aura (visual hallucinations of zigzag lines and flashing lights), and severe pain in the chest, legs, or stomach.

If you use birth control pills, it is important to understand the risks associated with this method of contraception and to discuss any concerns or issues with your doctor.

How to disclose your STI status to a new partner YOU DID THE RESPONSIBLE THING AND GOT TESTED, WHAT NOW? TA S H A FA LC O N E R

WHETHER YOU HAVE a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or not, it is good practise to communicate with your sexual partners about STI status, partner history, and safer sex options. However, these conversations can be difficult to engage in. It is common for people to be anxious about disclosing their STI status and to worry about the stigma attached, but having this open dialogue is valuable and can lead to discussions on how to have a healthy and exciting sexual life. A research team led by Marina Catallozzi from Columbia University and Planned Parenthood have noted some of the best practices to use when disclosing one’s STI status. While there is no right way to disclose your status, these tips may help. 1. TIMING

It is beneficial to your sexual partner that you disclose your STI status before you engage in sexual activity, as it allows your partner

to make informed decisions about their own sexual health. Try having this discussion at a non-sexual and sober time in a private place. You want to make sure there is enough time to discuss what having an STI means and how to prevent transmission without being interrupted. The conversation will likely go better if everyone is in a good mood, as it can be tough to thoroughly discuss if you are distracted by the bad day you had. Some people find it more comfortable to have the conversation over text, but you will still want to set aside a time when you are both available, so that you can have a continuous conversation. 2. INFORMATION

Knowing the facts about your STI, such as how to limit transmission and how common it is, can be beneficial. There are a lot of misunderstandings regarding STIs. Being able to share accurate information might make your

partner more aware of the realities and expose myths. Having trusted pamphlets or websites you can direct your partner to for more information is also a good idea. 3. THE CONVERSATION

One way to bring up your STI status is to incorporate it into a more general conversation about safer sex. A discussion on condom use and STI testing can lead into disclosing your status. Alternately, you could start the conversation by framing it with something positive. Making the disclosure low-key and calm can alleviate some of the pressure. It is beneficial to directly communicate with your partner, instead of leaving hints and hoping they understand, but leaving hints may also be a way to test the waters.

Practising with a friend, in front of the mirror, or by writing down your ideas can make the actual conversation easier.

4. PRACTISE

5. REACTION

Testing out the waters can help you gauge how your partner will react. If you have disclosed before, consider what went well and what did not go well to help guide your next disclosure.

Allow your partner time to take in the information and be open to answering their questions. Do not pressure them to immediately decide the next steps.

PHOTO OBTAINED VIA UNSPLASH

Be aware that they might decide they do not want to engage in sexual activity. Remember that they are rejecting the STI, not you. Having an STI does not change your worth as a person. There are people that will want to engage in sexual activity with you even if this person may not.

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S TU D E NT ATH E LE TE PRO F I LE S

Student Athlete Profile: Scott Simmonds, Gryphons Men’s Hockey GET TO KNOW YOUR GRYPHS! | STORY BY RACHEL WEITZ | PHOTO BY ALORA GRIFFTIHS Athlete: Scott Simmonds Sport: Men’s Hockey (Captain) Position & Number: Centre #25 Year at U of G: Fifth Year Program of study: Marketing Rachel Weitz: How long have you been play ing hockey? Scott Simmonds: I have been playing hockey as long as I can remember, but I believe I started playing ‘competitive’ hockey when I was about five years old. I played for the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League for four seasons before coming to the University of Guelph. RW: How has playing a varsity sport benefited you at U of G? SS: Being a varsity athlete has benefited me in many ways. The first way is in the small, everyday habits that are practiced when it comes to time management, effective communication, commitment,

leadership, and teamwork. Another benefit is the community that is shared as a varsity athlete. It is truly an honour to be a Gryphon, and the people throughout the administration and each individual team are top of the class. RW: D o you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions? SS: I am actually one of the less superstitious people on the team, in my opinion. I believe that [it is] great to have a routine each game day in order to prepare professionally and in a way that will lead to the greatest opportunity for success. I believe that through preparation and commitment to work ethic, there is a better mindset when going into competition. If you are a Gryphon interested in doing a student athlete profile with The Ontarion, contact Rachel at rweitz@theontarion.com

Comics Games Manga Toys

The Ins & Outs Of

SEX TOYS STORY & PHOTOS BY TASHA FALCONER

Views on Sex Toys

THERE ARE MANY b elief s regarding sex toys, but a recent study found that people generally have more positive beliefs than negative. For the most part, people believe that vibrators contribute to positive sexual functioning and positive sexual relationship dynamics. Many of the negative beliefs — for instance, vibrators being intimidating for male partners, only lonely women use vibrators, and that vibrators make women dependent on them — are actually myths. Herbenick and colleagues, who conducted the study from Indiana University, found that while many heterosexual women believe their male partner will be intimidated knowing they use a vibrator the majority of men do not have a problem with it. There is no evidence that women become addicted to sex toys. Instead, the use of sex toys is associated with enhanced sexual functioning and few sexual problems for all genders. Despite research supporting the claim that most people have positive beliefs regarding sex toys, advertisers are still hesitant to promote pleasurable sex as a result of sex toys.

Author and researcher Hallie Lieberman has studied the history of vibrator advertisements, and notes that while vibrators have been sold since the early 20th century, many companies did not advertise them as sex toys, instead referring to them as massagers or cure-alls. While vibrators did not (and will never) cure diseases, they can enhance sex. While we have come a long way since the early 1900s, companies selling sex toys still have difficulty getting their products advertised. Dame, a sexual wellness company, recently had their provisionally approved ad rejected by the MTA (New York City Transit) because they refuse to work with “sexually oriented businesses,” despite numerous advertisements for erectile dysfunction medication. “Conservative pundits lament the sexualization of the American media in the 21st century,” states Lieberman. “But when it comes to sex toy advertisements, it seems we’re still Victorian.” Us i n g S ex Toys

Despite the problems with advertising, many people still use and enjoy sex toys. Herbenick and colleagues also

found that 33 per cent of men and 50 per cent of women had used a vibrator or dildo and that 18 per cent of men and 16 per cent of women had used an anal sex toy. A study on sex toy use, hygiene, and health by U of G researcher Jessica Wood and colleag ues found that 52 per cent of participants had used a sex toy and 25 per cent of those participants used sex toys weekly. While there are many positives to using sex toys, such as sexual pleasure and sexual satisfaction, there is still a chance of transmitting sexual infections if toys are shared or used during partnered activity. In the study conducted by Wood it was found that 22 per cent of participants had shared their sex toys. Cleaning sex toys and using a barrier (such as a condom) will decrease the risk of contracting STIs. W hile 96 per cent of Wood’s participants cleaned their toys, only 10 per cent used a barrier. Note that some toys are easier to clean than others. Toys that are porous are not able to be disinfected while toys that are non-porous tend to be easy to clean.

Various sex toys, including dildos, vibrators and anal beads at You’re Welcome Peterborough.

Colourful anal beads at You’re Welcome Peterborough.

Even with proper cleaning of sex toys, researchers at Indiana University found that the STI human papilloma virus (HPV) can still spread but that silicone had a lower risk of having traces of HPV after cleaning than thermoplastic. HPV is one of the most commonly transmitted STIs — it is contracted “during vaginal, oral, or anal sex, or during intimate skin-to-skin contact with someone who is infected,” according to the Government of Canada website, can lead to cancer or genital warts, and can be prevented through a series of vaccines (see page 16 for more on HPV). Wood and colleagues found that those who shared their sex toys were more likely to have negative vulvovaginal health outcomes, such as infections. Following proper sex toy hygiene protocols can help limit these outcomes. Read packaging carefully to understand proper cleaning instructions based on the material of what you have purchased.

Cho osin g a Sex Toy

When choosing a sex toy, there are many aspects to consider. Sex toys are personal items, so get what works for you. Figuring out what works for you is a bit of trial and error, but most adult stores have knowledgeable employees who can help with suggestions. How you want your sex toy to look will impact what you get as well. Some sex toys are more realistic looking (for example, resembling genitalia), while others come in a variety of vibrant colours and patterns. While the colour of the sex toy will not impact the sensations, different textures — like ridging that emulates veins — on the toy may impact sensation depending on the individual. The material of the sex toy makes a difference in the feel and longevity of the toy. The material of the sex toy can also impact what type of lube you should use. You should not use a siliconebased lube with silicone toys. When in doubt, go with a water-based lube, which is suitable for all materials. Additionally, be aware of whether or not the toy contains phthalates. Numerous health concerns may be connected to phthalates. Many sex toys will note on the package if they are phthalate-free, something that should be a priority when you are shopping. Price is also an important consideration when it comes to sex toys. Come As You Are, a sex shop based in Toronto, notes that while a cheaper sex toy may not last as long as an expensive one, if you are buying your first or trying something new, starting at a lower price may be beneficial. This is because a cheaper option gives you a chance to try out a new sex toy and make sure you like it before you invest in something longer lasting. What you want your sex toy to do and how you want to use it will determine what type of sex toy you want. For example, some toys are more conducive to partnered sexual activity, such as We-Vibe’s couples’ vibrators or Tango Pleasure Mate, while others are excellent for individual play, such as Satisfyer vibrators and fleshlights.

SEX TOYS The following chart, containing information from Come As You Are, is an excellent starting point for those who may not know what they are looking for in a sex toy and want to try something for the first time or just want to try something new.

Silicone

Metal

• Non-porous • Smooth • Transmits vibrations powerfully • Durable

• Non-porous • Retains body heat • Can tear • Durable • Do not use with silicone lubricant as it will destroy the toy

Hard plastic • Non-porous • Stronger vibrations • Durable • Can crack/chip if dropped

Vinyl

• Porous • Smooth • Soft • More durable than jelly rubber • Can degrade over time

Wood

• Non-porous • Smooth • Manufacturing process affects durability

Leather Various sex toys, including dildos, anal beads, butt plug, and collar at You’re Welcome Peterborough.

Wood’s s t u d y fou n d th at th e re are eight mai n c ate g ori e s of s ex toys : 1. Vibrators

(which come in a variety of shapes and vibrate)

2. Dildos (which are sex toys shaped like an erect penis) 3. BDSM toys (such as handcuffs and rope) 4. Anal toys (such as butt plugs and anal beads) 5. Food (such as carrots and cucumbers) 6. Household items (such as showerheads and electronic

• Porous • Garment leather starts soft and supple • Bridle leather starts firmer • Conforms to your shape • Comfortable • Durable

toothbrushes) balls (which are marble-sized, weighted balls inserted into the vagina) 8. Other (such as cock rings and lubricant)

Glass • Non-porous • Smooth • Frictionless feel • Durable • Can crack/chip if dropped

7. Ben-Wa

Based on this list it is clear that many sex toys emulate genitalia. While some may think sex toys are an embarrassing purchase to make, health issues and hospital visits arising from homemade or household items are far more embarrassing and potentially life-threatening. It is not safe to put just anything inside your body. Sex toys are a much safer option than household items no matter where you read about them. For example, a recent article in Marie Claire suggested putting parsley into a vagina; the article has since been taken down. Doctors have said not to do this as it is extremely unsafe. Dr. Shazia Malik told The Independent that “there is no evidence of any benefit to a woman [putting parsley into her vagina], and clear risk of significant harm as deaths have been reported.”

Cyberskin Jelly Rubber

• Porous • Bouncy • Variety of colours • Degrades over time

• Porous • Firm core • Soft Exterior • Feels fleshy • Tears easily • Damages with improper storage/cleaning

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Central Student Association

2019 Annual General Meeting Come have your say about issues that affect all Undergrads at the University of Guelph WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2019 - PETER CLARK HALL DOORS @ 5PM - BUSINESS @ 5:30 - FREE FOOD & PRIZES

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Sexual activity among millennials is declining

With busy lives and the demands of post-secondary education, it’s hard to make love and sex a top priority.

COULD THIS BE THE END OF SEX? A DA M M AU E

BY ALL ACCOUNTS sex should be at an all-time high, but it’s not — even though society is more accepting and sex positive than at any time in history. Just look at the sex scenes in popular TV shows, or the cinematic BDSM experience of Fifty Shades of Grey, or the expanding landscape of sexual kinks and the lifting of taboos. Sex can be found everywhere in the media, and yet there’s less of it in people’s lives. Why? In a recent article published by the Atlantic, entitled, “Why are Young People Having So Little Sex?” the number of reasons as to why this is happening is astonishing. The reasons, to name a few, include: anxiety, depression, dating apps, careerism, and porn. First, apps like Tinder are staples in the millennial dating world. Unfortunately, the odds of forming a successful relationship through apps like this are slim. A 2014 report by Jean M. Twenge of San Diego State University, found that the average Tinder user logs in 11 times a day, totaling about

an hour and a half per person. Today, Tinder reports that it logs 1.6 billion swipes a day, yielding 26 million matches. According to one Tinder user in an interview with the Atlantic, by his estimation, for every 10 matches he has it’s likely that he’ll only receive one message. This can easily amount to a fruitless waste of time. What about the old-fashioned approach of asking someone out in person? With the rising rates of anxiety, the very idea of asking somebody out has become a terrifying thought. For some, the fear of rejection is a fate worse than death. That inhibition then starts to grind against a person’s desire. The rise of #MeToo has also factored in. According to a 2017 Economist/YouGov poll, 17 per cent of people between 18 and 29 years of age believe that asking a coworker out for a drink constitutes sexual harassment. Even bravely chatting with a stranger can be seen as a step too far, and many people have withdrawn their dating desires altogether. Low self-esteem concerning one’s

D ati n g a p ps , low s e lf- este e m , a n d p o rn a re a few re a s o n s w hy m i lle n i al s a re h avi n g les s s ex . Photo obtained via Unsplash

own physical desirability also plays a part. Often this is due to a perception of the media’s pressure as to what people should look like. If a person feels like their body is unattractive to other people, how could they possibly put themselves out there? There’s also the uniquely millennial fear of being naked in front of other people that makes nudity even within couples difficult. Then there’s porn. With the ever-abundant world of online pornography, it’s quite easy for people to

get off. People don’t go out seeking real life relationships because porn fulfills their basic sexual needs. For some women, porn has led to a lack of regular sex due to their male partners wanting to try the kinkier sexual acts prevalent in porn. As a result, these women have become avoidant toward men because a noticeable portion of their sexual education stems from porn. Or maybe there’s just not enough time. Some 20-somethingyear-olds have shied away from

relationships to focus on their careers. With busy lives and the demands of post-secondary education, it’s hard to make love and sex a top priority. Often, it’s not until their career is established that people begin to look at the idea of a relationship. But who really knows what the state of sex will be like in the coming years? If current trends persist, perhaps a prolonged sex recession is in store.

TALK N E R DY TO M E

Sexual communication and expressing sexual satisfaction SEX NOISES AND EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATING YOUR DESIRES TA S H A FA LC O N E R

SEXUAL COMMUNICATION occurs frequently during sexual activity and there are various ways in which we communicate what feels good and what does not. We communic at e verba lly through words and sounds, and nonverbally through movements and breathing. When communicating verbally we do so using linguistics, such as: • “Oh” • “Ah” • “Oh god” We also use non-linguistics in sexual verbal communication, such as: • Moans • Groans • Gasps • Screams Roy Levin from the University of Sheffield notes that the majority of people make sex noises that usually become more intense leading up to and during orgasm. HelloFlo writer Hannah Rimm conducted an unofficial survey on social media to include more diversity than the available academic research. Rimm found that some

people make noise while others do not, but that people of varied genders and sexual orientations moan when they experience pleasure. Sex noises, including instructions (for example, “harder” or “faster”) facilitate arousal. According to Levin, describing what acts you would like to do next can impact your sex life, making it more varied, exciting, and pleasurable. Noises not only signal when an orgasm is near or happening, but it is also a great way of getting consent during sex. Levin states that these sex noises are interpreted by partners as satisfaction, so they are seen as positive. Often people engaging in sexual activity want to hear sex noises from their partner as it reassures them they are doing something right. Sex educator Patty Brisben and researcher Lea Seguin both note that problems arise when this communication is not honest. When sex noises are forced or faked, such as faking an orgasm, it sends the wrong message.

Faking these noises falsely indicate that the partner is doing something right, when in reality they are not. It likely means they will continue to engage in these acts even though they are not pleasurable, which does not make for very satisfying sex. Letting a partner truthfully know what feels good and what does not through sex noises (or through verbal communication at another time) can increase your sexual satisfaction. The other issue that occurs when it comes to sex noises is other people hearing those noises. Rimm found that many people have felt shame regarding their sex noises and have been uncomfortable with others overhearing their sexual activity. Levin notes that vocalizations can be suppressed. In situations where people are uncomfortable with the sex noises, it may be beneficial to tamper it down a bit and use other forms of communication, like body movements, to communicate what feels good.

Sex noises are a way to communicate consent and to let your partner know that you are enjoying ‘the sex’. | Photo obtained via Unsplash

S P O RT S & H E A LTH

JA N UA RY 31 , 2019

TH E O NTA R I O N

Supporting survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse EFFECTS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON SEXUAL INTIMACY AND SUPPORTS AVAILABLE E M I LY M AT I N

“MY FIRST TIME was memorable because of what I don’t remember,” said an anonymous survivor. “I don’t remember her gentle hands and tender kisses on my breasts because numbness had become my default for being touched there. My body was numb to the pleasure because it was necessary to cope with the unwanted touching that happened to me there when I was a child and could do nothing but imagine that it wasn’t really happening.” The Hamilton Sexual Assault Centre states that there are approximately 460,000 sexual assaults every year in Canada, with one in three women and one in six men experiencing sexual violence during their lifetime. Sexual violence, whether during childhood or adulthood, can adversely affect a person’s ability to be sexually intimate. The University of Alberta Sexual Assault

Centre outlines some common symptoms that survivors may experience after sexual violence including a fear of sex, feeling angry, guilty, or disgusted at being touched, feeling emotionally distant during sex, and difficulty developing or maintaining an intimate relationship. “Sometimes when we’re having sex I have to tell him to stop,” said another survivor. “The memory becomes too vivid. Triggered by a certain way he touched me or a certain smell in the room.” In an interview with The Ontarion, Supria Karmakar, a clinical social worker with a private practice in Guelph, explained that sometimes memories of sexual violence can be stored in the brain as traumatic memories, even if the current sexual intimate experience is consensual. She said the way the brain responds to unresolved trauma can make the person feel

they are re-experiencing the sexual violence. Karmakar noted that intimacy can be difficult for people who have experienced sexual violence because it involves power and control with no consent when the trauma occurred. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse may have had their trust broken from an early age by someone they should have been able to trust. This means some people can have difficulty forming trusting relationships. One model of therapy Karmakar offers for individuals who have experienced sexual violence is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR has been extensively researched and proven to be very effective in helping individuals process trauma; specifically post-traumatic stress symptoms, which can occur after experiencing sexual violence. This therapy allows a person to reprocess a “stuck” traumatic memory and restore it in their brain in a way that feels less emotionallycharged and traumatizing. U of G Counselling Services located on the third floor of the University Centre can provide immediate support for individuals

who have just experienced sexual violence, including helping them develop a support and safety plan. Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis offers on-campus support two days per week for all genders and has a downtown office and 24-hour crisis support line. Robin Begin, the on-campus director of Sexual Violence Support Services, said this resource can help survivors by advocating for them in areas of judicial, academic, and safety concerns.

The Guelph Wellington Care and Treatment Centre for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence also provides crisis support and can direct individuals to more specific community resources. If you have experienced sexual violence or know someone who has, there are plenty of resources on-campus and around Guelph that can help you begin your healing process.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) and the vaccine YOU’VE SEEN THE POSTERS, BUT HAVE YOU DONE YOUR OWN RESEARCH? TA S H A FA LC O N E R

HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause various cancers, including cancers of the vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, anus, and mouth. HPV is also associated with anal and genital warts. According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, HPV is very common. In North America, 70 per cent of people will have an HPV infection in their lifetime, with the highest prevalence occurring in adults between 20 to 24 years of age. Due to HPV typically being asymptomatic (shows no symptoms) and the lack of widely available HPV diagnostics, many people don’t know when they have HPV, which can accelerate the spread. Luckily, there is a vaccine that protects against many HPV strains and reduces the risk of HPVrelated cancers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that “HPV causes 33,700 [cases of] cancers” each year, but the HPV vaccine can prevent approximately 31,200 cases from developing. The Canadian Paediatric Society states that the latest vaccine covers 90 per cent

of genital warts and 85 to 90 per cent of cancers associated with the anus and genital organs. T he Canadian Paediatrics Society warns that “without vaccination, it is likely that most sexually active Canadians will have an HPV infection at some point in their lives.” The vaccine involves two to three doses over a period of up to 12 months. The vaccine is most effective when the whole dose is given at the right time, especially when given before an individual becomes sexually active. The vaccine has been approved for females in Canada since 2006. Between 2007 and 2010, all provinces implemented programs to administer the vaccine. The grade level in which the vaccine is administered varies per province, but in Ontario the vaccine is currently administered in Grade 7. I n 2 010 t he v ac c i ne w a s approved for males, and Ontario now vaccinates everyone who agrees in Grade 7. In the 2016-2017 school year, 59 per cent of 12-year-old females and 53 per cent of 12-year-old males

HPV vaccine provides long-lasting protection, upwards of six years. | Photo obtained via Flickr

had been vaccinated while 72 per cent of 12-year-old females and 67 per cent of 12-year-old males had gotten at least part of the vaccine. If you have not had the vaccine, you may still be able to get vaccinated. The vaccine is recommended for females between the ages of 9 and 45 and males between the ages of 9 and 26. The Canadian Paediatrics Society recommends catching up if you do not have the full vaccine.

Like any vaccine there are public concerns, but the Canadian Cancer Society and the CDC state that the vaccine is safe and continuously monitored for effectiveness. Side effects are minor, and may include pain at the point of injection, fever, headaches, and nausea. Another concern that has been addressed is the belief that those who get the vaccine will become sexually active shortly thereafter. This is not the case. The Canadian

Paediatrics Society states that those who have received the vaccine are no more likely to be sexually active, do not engage in sex earlier, and do not engage in riskier sexual behaviour than those who don’t get vaccinated.

PHOTO OF HPV VIRUS COURTESY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

OPINION

THE ONTARION

1 8 | CAN L AND LOR DS BA N PE TS ?

1 9 | GETTING MORE THAN “DIRTY”

@theontarion

N OA H Z I E G L E R- H A Z E N

GILLETTE RECENTLY launched a new ad campaig n entitled The Best Men Can Be, which addresses sexual misconduct between men and women throughout history and how in today’s society it is no longer acceptable to be a bystander. Although resulting in both strongly positive and negative reactions this campaign is nothing more than another useless ad associated with slacktivism. ‘Slacktivism’ is a term used when a campaign of any sort, whether it be on television or through social media, raises awareness for a current issue but does not take the extra step to create a lasting impact or change within our society. My biggest critique of the ad

is who it comes from: Gillette. The organization’s various television commercials feature a deep male voice and perpetuate toxic masculinity by describing how using this razor is going to transform users into a big, tough, and rugged men who can chop wood with their bare hands. Due to their history of complicity, The Best Men Can Be campaign feels as though Gillette is simply hopping on a bandwagon, as their company is one of biggest perpetuators of toxic masculinity in media. Not only is this ad an example of slacktivism, but the production team are all slacktivists as well. We as viewers can watch it and

feel good sharing the ad thinking we are playing our part in ending rape culture, while writing an inspirational message on our Facebook pages, but what does that actually do? The same goes for the production team at Gillette; they have been putting out toxic ads on “how to be a man” for 30 years, first airing their slogan “the best a man can get” at the 1989 Super Bowl. And now they can all feel good producing just one new campaign on trying to end it? Not to mention that the ad’s message is just that “men must hold other men accountable” and shares nothing about how to properly treat others. The campaign is simply saying this behaviour will happen

and is inevitable, however, we can tell other “men” it’s not okay, but ultimately, it says this is who men are and there is no changing them — we can only point out their flaws. Most of the campaign is targeting how we can raise the next generation of men to never start this behaviour; this is the only way we can stop it and it will not end for the current generation. Gillette can start a “revolution” in a much simpler way, by just pricing their razors for men and women equally. This would be a much better step in the right direction for the company to change their image from producing toxic masculinity ads to a company that promotes equal rights!

QUINN GRIFFITHS

Q & A WITH G U E LPH: Question: Do you support or disapprove of Gillette’s recent ad, “We Believe”? RE SU LTS: Support: 75% Disapprove: 25% Every week we’re asking you, the reader, to participate in our poll and tell us what you think about a chosen topic. Look for our polls posted on our Facebook and Twitter page every Wednesday, and post your comments for a chance to see your opinion printed in the next issue of The Ontarion.

No, I disapprove 25%

Yes, I support 75%

A GILLETTE VIDEO ad depicting toxic masculinity in the workplace, backyards, and other various places has sparked major controversy. Many people are questioning what this video adds to the conversation. It’s baffling number of downvotes on YouTube as well as Facebook comments and sentiments from both men and women claiming they will be boycotting Gillette are evidence that it has. Why? Has it struck a chord? It seems that a percentage of people think there’s nothing wrong with the negative behavior this video shows. After viewing the comments it is clear that too many men think they are above reproach and are blind to the fact that there’s a problem with how society views and treats women. Not all men are violent, but too many are silent about those who are. In my opinion the issue boils down to men thinking there is no problem. Instead of seeing a man boasting his sexual prowess, we see Gillette

questioning if this behavior is truly the best a man can be. We see catcalling on the street, a boy being called a ‘sissy,’ and a board room where a man places his hand on a coworker’s shoulder as he says, “What I actually think she’s trying to say is…” Men should hold themselves and the men around them accountable for this perverse behaviour. The audience then sees examples of positive behavior in the ad: a father telling his daughter she is strong as well as a man stepping up to stop his friend from harassing a woman walking by. Gillette has taken stock and found that there is room for improvement and are using their platform to send out this message. As a consumer I would be more inclined to buy Gillette products after seeing that they are aligned with my values regarding basic human decency. Gillette has asked men to take a look in the mirror and ask themselves if these

macho-masculine stereotypes such as competitiveness, dominance, and aggression contribute anything positive to society. If nothing else this ad evokes questions like, “what can I do?” This video has sparked conversation and debate among generations. Yes, some people find it uncomfortable to speak about sexual harassment and bullying, but that underlines why it is needed. However, Gillette is not all talk. They have partnered with the Building a Better Man Project, which seeks to reduce violent behavior in men, and the Boys & Girls Club of America, which helps men develop better social and communication skills. It’s also donating $1 million a year for the next three years to U.S. non-profit organizations aimed at supporting men. Men have the capability to change the world for the next generation, and that change starts by no longer saying, “Boys will be boys.” This is more than an ad, it is a reckoning.

O PI N I O N

JA N UA RY 31 , 2019

TH E O NTA R I O N

A S K A PAR ALE G AL

Can my landlord legally ban my pet? WHAT YOUR LANDLORD CAN AND CAN’T DO C A I L E N S WA I N

WHETHER YOU’VE FOUND yourself a furry friend, are moving in with a partner who has a pet, or want to know if your roommate can have a cat even though you’re super allergic, you’ll want to know the answer to this question. Can landlords legally prohibit tenants from having a pet in their rental units? There is no simple answer to the pet question. Before a lease is signed a landlord can legally refuse a prospective tenant because they own a pet. However, in practice any clause in a tenancy agreement that prohibits pets is considered void. The Residential Tenancies Act governs relations between landlords and tenants of all types of rental housing in Ontario and Section 14 states, “A provision in a tenancy agreement prohibiting the presence of animals in or about the residential complex is void.” A landlord can legally ask a prospective tenant not to bring

pets, but if the tenant ignores this request or later changes their mind and wants to have a pet, they cannot legally be evicted solely for having a pet in breach of the tenancy agreement. Most student rentals will be in standard apartments, however some may rent in condominium complexes, where the rules for pets are slightly different. Condominium owners have greater rights and can set their own bylaws regarding pets (which can include a ‘no pet’ provision), and they would be able to force a tenant to move or remove a pet if having one was against their internal bylaws. It is important to be aware that pets can still cause issues in rentals units. You will be liable if your pet damages the property, is considered dangerous (according to local bylaws), causes serious interference with the reasonable enjoyment of other tenants, or causes the landlord or other

tenants to have a serious allergic reaction. If any of these arise, the landlord would have to bring an application for eviction to the Landlord and Tenant Board. Another consideration is local bylaws. Each municipality has their own bylaws that define which animals are considered pets and provides guidance regarding pets. In Guelph, it is By-law Number (2016)-20122. Do you have a question for Cailen? Email him at info@swainparalegal.com and remember to put The Ontarion in the subject line.

Cailen Swain is a licensed paralegal with a BA from Western University, a paralegal diploma with distinction from triOS College, and a P1 license from the Law Society of Ontario.

Did you know your landlord can’t evict you for your pupper or kitty. Photo by obtained via Unsplash

D IARY O F A V E T S TU D E NT

Sex beyond our species: Theri-oh-what? BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW… C A R L E I G H C AT H C A R T

HAPPY SEX ISSUE, Gryphons! As always, I’m eager for any excuse to talk ‘animal,’ and this issue is no different. In veterinary medicine, theriogenology is the branch of study concerning animal reproduction. In my current year (Phase 2) we cover this subject quite extensively. Needless to say, I’ve been exposed to some pretty cool facts regarding amorous animals, and what better time than now to share them with you? Uteri -didn’t kn ow th at !

There is a large variety in the uteruses of the ‘common’ animals we know. Animals such as rabbits and marsupials (kangaroos, for example) have duplex uteri — possessing two cervices. Bicornuate uteruses (two horns) can be poorly, moderately, or highly developed, as in the case of horses, cows, and cats, respectively. Primates, like us humans, are quite boring; our simplex uterus has poorly split horns.

$500,000 for a single time! Holy cow !

After giving birth to a calf, a cow should not be pregnant again until she has undergone involution (recovery) of her uterus. This is sometimes known as the ‘voluntary waiting period,’ and usually lasts about 50 days. In contrast, horses experience something called foal heat, which occurs mere days after giving birth. This makes it possible, though not necessarily recommended, to breed her again quite quickly. S i c k as a d og ?

It turns out that dogs can get morning sickness just like humans! If pregnant, some bitches (the appropriate word for a female dog) can experience vomiting and lack of appetite three to four weeks after impregnation. These symptoms usually only last a few days, and some bitches experience the opposite — voracious appetites!

with ‘fixing’ cats and dogs, including reduced metabolism, lowered risks of certain forms of cancer, and the elimination of a dangerous condition known as pyometra. Pyometra is a messy and often lifethreatening infection of the uterus that can occur in intact females. Anyone suspecting an infection in an animal should have him or her seen by a vet. And there you have it! Vet school is the perfect environment to remind one that humans are merely a dot on the spectrum of life. Learning about the differences existing in many realms, sex included, is one of the many captivators that drew me to this amazing profession in the first place.

W hat a n ight- mare!

It can be awfully expensive to try breeding your mare (female horse) with a high profile stallion. Stud fees, which are the costs associated with attempting to impregnate a mare, range from $100 to over

You d on’ t s ( p)ay ?

Most people are aware of the importance of spaying and neutering pets to help combat overpopulation. Fewer know of the health effects that are associated

Sexual reproduction is much more interesting in non-human species. Photo obtained via Pinterest

TH E O NTA R I O N .CO M

More than ‘getting dirty’ VOLUNTEERING AT THE GUELPH CENTRE FOR URBAN ORGANIC FARMING DA N I E L L E S C E PA N OV I C

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The garlic, which takes nearly a full year to grow, has been destroyed three times this past school year at the Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming. | Photo obtained via Unsplash

WITH THE RECENT news of my personal work for the Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming being destroyed, I am disheartened. It is hard to process how others do not understand the urban organic farm to be more than land with food crops, because the farm is truly a place of learning like any other classroom on the University of Guelph campus. During the fall semester, amidst the stresses of midterms and term papers, I was invited to volunteer at the organic farm on campus. Being interested in working outdoors, I decided that I could spare a few hours between classes to help plant garlic for next year. Little did I know that this experience would have a large impact on me. Did you know garlic needs almost one full year to be ready for harvest? I didn’t. In October 2018, I worked with a few other volunteers to plant thousands of garlic cloves to be harvested in late summer 2019. At the beginning of our time together, everyone was chatting either to get to know one another or to catch up. As time passed, we fell into a rhythm. Some deep in thought, others discussing interesting environmental topics or philosophical theory. When I first starting planting garlic cloves, I was on my knees in an uncomfortable position bending down as I put garlic into the soil. I soon realized I could use the soft soil to my advantage to support my knees by making piles of soil and resting on them as I moved down the trench. I was thankful for the soil that has been maintained for the last 10 years by Martha Scroggins, who manages farm operations, along with a few other passionate individuals involved in operating the urban organic farm, including U of G philosophy professor Karen Houle.

We had a few people come to volunteer after we had starting planting, which provided me with the opportunity to be a teacher in a one-on-one setting. I relayed the information that I had been taught an hour earlier to a volunteer who had never planted garlic. In exchange, I learned about her involvement on campus, her studies and passions, and we even spoke about traveling and shared memories of similar places. I enjoyed ‘getting dirty’ because it allowed me to de-stress, triggering nostalgic memories of when I used to play outside as a child. As I planted garlic, I realized that this easygoing environment was the perfect medicine to help reduce the stress that was building up as my school workload increased. In addition, I went home with knowledge about growing plants, the harvesting processes, proper planting techniques, as well as the role of compost and weeding on organic farms. While being covered in soil and looking at the work I had done, I learned that farming is so much more than the food: farming is community. I also learned there are multiple benefits for any person who studies or works on campus. Our urban organic farm provides three major benefits: 1. A quiet space for de-stressing and being removed from an academic environment 2. A place that does not revolve around technology, but rather is more task-oriented 3. No stress to complete the tasks, rather you do as much as you are able Through this experience, I realized that it’s more than ‘getting dirty.’ Volunteering at the Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming cultivates character and provides accessible quiet space for students as they help grow and harvest food.

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february is Black History Month

February

TO DO LIST Feb 1 Black History Art Display 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. UC Courtyard Black History Month Opening Ceremony Includes performance by soul artist Tanika Charles 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. UC Courtyard Better Sleep Program with Kathy Somers $20 for five sessions of onehour seminars on Fridays organized by Student Wellness 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. UC333 Scott Helman Concert by the Juno Awardnominated Toronto singer/ songwriter 8 p.m. River Run Centre

Feb 2

Blackness X Queerness Workshop Exploring the intersection of black, queer, and social justice history. 3:30 p.m. UC 442

Hola España! Send-Off Concert by the Guelph Youth Dance Company and the Concorde String Ensemble Suzuki String School of Guelph’s fundraising event for their tour to Spain 4 p.m. River Run Centre

Feb 6

Feb 3

COMMUNITY CHALKBOARD

Nooner Concert Performance by R.I.S.E. Spoken Word 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. UC Courtyard

Feb 8 Hillside Inside presents Whitehorse and Birds of Chicago Magnetic folk duo and North American Roots music 8 p.m. Royal City Church

Feb 9 Hillside Inside presents William Prince and Cécile Doo-Kingue Juno Award-winning singersongwriter and afro-roots singer-songwriter 8:30 p.m. Royal City Church

GUELPH CONCERT BAND PRESENTS A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY! The GCB takes you on a journey through the decades, performing classics of the swing, big band, jazz, blues, and rock eras. River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich St. Feb. 24, 3pm | Tickets available at riverrun.ca.

Feb 12

Feb 14

Anti-Blackness Teach-In A three-hour workshop around racism. Attendees should gain a better understanding of racism, systematic oppression, and how to be okay with being uncomfortable. 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. UC442

Happy Valentine’s Day! New issue of The Ontarion on stands

EQUITY IN...EVENT PLANNING SPEAKERS PANEL Wednesday, February 6 | 12pm-1pm | Peter Clark Hall, University Centre

Take part in an interactive conversation on how to think about equity and inclusion when planning events on campus. Register online at uoguel.ph/equityin

Black Comedy Night Ft. Daniel Woodrow, Abbas Wahab, Michael Moses, and local stand-up comedians 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Making-Box Aretha Franklin Tribute The Guelph Black Heritage Society presents a tribute to the “Queen of Soul” 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Life Centre (50 Quebec St.)