2008 Woodie Awards
Talk back: Letter to the editor (Samantha Kittle's reponse)
In response to 'Letter to the Editor,' from Feb 11
Issue date: 2/18/05 Section: Forum
Dear Ms. Molner
I would like to thank you for responding to my column with helpful criticism. I understand that as a health teacher and Guilford parent, your perspectives are invaluable to my column. I would like to address some statements you brought up.
As a somewhat straight female I write from personal experience, which has been mostly heterosexual by definition. I don't see sexuality as cut and dry as "gay" and "straight," at least. I think it would have been impossible for me to have written about the fluidity of sexuality and queer theory in an introductory article.
About condoms: as a sexually active college student today, I have experienced pressure from partners to avoid condom use. The way in which I worded my emphasis on condoms is for people who may feel fear about enforcing condom usage. I wanted to emphasize a fearlessness and sensibility about protected sex.
My column is not intended to send its readers out on sprees of casual sex. It is written for people on campus that ARE having sex in hopes that it may be better enjoyed and safer for all.
My hopes with 'Sex and the Semester' are to do away with sexual stereotyping for the sexually active public. The column is meant to create discourse about sex, like the one beginning here between you and myself.
I do not see myself as an over-sexed guru, rather, as a person who wants to talk openly and break through myths and stereotypes that make sex so taboo and 'wrong.' I just don't want people my age to feel ashamed anymore about the sex they are having, as long as it is safe and consensual.
Samantha Kittle
Sex Columnist
I would like to thank you for responding to my column with helpful criticism. I understand that as a health teacher and Guilford parent, your perspectives are invaluable to my column. I would like to address some statements you brought up.
As a somewhat straight female I write from personal experience, which has been mostly heterosexual by definition. I don't see sexuality as cut and dry as "gay" and "straight," at least. I think it would have been impossible for me to have written about the fluidity of sexuality and queer theory in an introductory article.
About condoms: as a sexually active college student today, I have experienced pressure from partners to avoid condom use. The way in which I worded my emphasis on condoms is for people who may feel fear about enforcing condom usage. I wanted to emphasize a fearlessness and sensibility about protected sex.
My column is not intended to send its readers out on sprees of casual sex. It is written for people on campus that ARE having sex in hopes that it may be better enjoyed and safer for all.
My hopes with 'Sex and the Semester' are to do away with sexual stereotyping for the sexually active public. The column is meant to create discourse about sex, like the one beginning here between you and myself.
I do not see myself as an over-sexed guru, rather, as a person who wants to talk openly and break through myths and stereotypes that make sex so taboo and 'wrong.' I just don't want people my age to feel ashamed anymore about the sex they are having, as long as it is safe and consensual.
Samantha Kittle
Sex Columnist
