KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18.2010 / SEX ON THE HILL
7
Beyond gay, straight and bisexual
BY JESIE BLAKEBOROUGH editor@kansan.com
IDENTITY
Every teenager feels ununderstood at some point. For Emily, this held a little more truth. While her peers were arguing for later curfews, Emily, a KU student who did not want her full name used because she is not out to her parents, was questioning bigger issues. She understood early
Pansexuals connect sexually, emotionally with individuals across the gender spectrum
society's "conventional" molds. It wasn't until high school that Emily was able to categorize her feelings, and even then she wasn't sure if anyone would understand her. Emily is not gay. She is pansexual.
The four best-known groups of sexuality are heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexualism. However, not everyone fits into these groups, and there is little education regarding pansexuality. Family experienced a similar disconnect growing up and it was years before she was introduced to the term.
"It is really interesting to know
how you feel before you can even put a label on it," Emily said.
Because pansexuality is a relatively new term, it causes a lot of misunderstanding in both gay and straight communities. Most commonly it is often confused with bisexuality, which is the attraction to both male and female genders; "bi" meaning two. Pansexuality differs in that it focuses on certain characteristics, or emotional connections that can be found regardless of gender identity or biological sex. Pansexuals have the capability to become sexually, emotionally or spiritually attracted to all genders.
"Bisexuality is very black and white. But for me, it's anything. It doesn't matter what the outside is." Emily said.
means that gender does not factor into attraction or sexual desire in potential mates. Pansexuals can be attracted to women, men, transgendered, androgynous or gender fluid people. Emily says most people assume she is too embarrassed to admit she is bisexual or gay when she tells them she is pansexual.
"People don't have to understand my sexuality. I know what it is to me." Emily said.
Some pansysexual claim to be gender blind or neutral. This
Problems Emily runs into after explaining her sexuality often involve women thinking she is hitting on them, and past boyfriends assuming she will cheat with women.
"A straight girl is not attracted to every guy she sees just like I am not attracted to everything with two legs," Emily said.
Queens & Allies President
Sara Thompson jokes that the
acronym LGBTQQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer and Questioning) is becoming more like alphabet soup with each new term. She reminds people to be comfortable with themselves and their sexuality in whatever way they deem to express it.
"The most important thing about your sense of self is being honest with yourself," Thompson said. "You can label yourself whatever you want as long as you truly believe that the chosen label is for you. That being said, don't over think labels."
Emilysuggeststhatpansexuality could hold more insight for the straight community than the gay community since members of the gay community already admit to being attracted to members of the same sex.
"If anyone has ever had crush on somebody of their same
gender and has thought, "Man I wish they weren't a girl guy, you should really think about what pansexuality is," Emily said. "Gender shouldn't matter, if you feel like you want to be with someone then you should."
To me it's always been like people did not understand, so pansexuality has almost been a taboo word, but now that it is being discussed I hope that it helps people who are struggling with their identity figure it out." Emily said.
Language will always create barriers. Terms can often be manipulated and context can be misinterpreted. Instead of addressing complex issues, people tend to avoid them to keep from being offensive.
Edited by David Cowthon
HEALTH
Morning-after pill widely available for emergencies
BY ALLISON BOND editor@kansan.com
Plan B One Step is a pill used as an emergency birth control option for those worried that they might become pregnant. According to planbonestep.com, the official website, if taken correctly, seven out of eight women will not become pregnant. Cathy Thrasher, head pharmacist at Student Health Services, said 75 students bought Plan B One Step at Watkins Health Center in October, and that this was an average number. While many students are purchasing Plan B One Step, there are still many unanswered questions about the drug.
Plan B One Step has been on the market for 10 years, and has become more popular since it became an over-the-counter drug in 2006. Originally approved by the FDA in July 1999, it is the only emergency contraception available with just one pill. Next Choice, a generic off brand of Plan B One Step, is an emergency contraception that requires two pills taken at the same time.
The most common misconception with Plan B One Step is that it is an abortion pill, said Sarah Gillooily, a representative of Planned Parenthood.
"It is something people tend to get confused said," Gillooly said. According to One Step's educational website, Plan B is not an RU-486 abortion pill. While an RU-486 drug will end an existing pregnancy, Plan B won't work if the user is already pregnant and
WHERE PLAN B IS AVAILABLE
Target
Plan B One Step: $39.41
Next Choice: $24.78
Walmart
Plan B One Step: $51.52
Next Choice: $43.79
Dillons
Plan B One Step: $52.59
Next Choice: $38.39
Walgreens
Plan B One Step: $41.99 Next Choice: $44.99
Watkins Health Center
Plan B One Step: $24.99
Does not offer Next
Choice
it will not affect an existing pregnancy. The sooner Plan B One Step is taken the more effective it is in preventing pregnancy for occurring. It is most effective if taken within 24 hours.
"Plan B can be a really valuable
Photo illustration Dalton Gomez/KANSAN
Emergency contraception reduces the chances of pregnancy after unprotected sex or if another method of contraception fails. Plan B and the generic Next Choice are available at most pharmacies.
tool to avoid an unplanned pregnancy" Gilcoy said.
"We believe Plan B should be used as a back-up plan and not as a regular birth control" Gillooled said. "It is important to remember and realize that it is a high dose of the same hormones contained in a woman's monthly pack of birth control pills."
However, Plan B should only be used in emergency situations such as condom breakage and never as a first line of birth control, health officials say.
Edited by Abbey Strusz
the KU Bookstore