How The Term “The Friend Zone” Perpetuates Rape Culture & Sexism

There’s no such thing as the friend zone. Yeah, I said it, and it’s probably about time we stopped using it as an excuse for not getting what we want. Really, the ‘friend zone’ is a socially constructed coping mechanism used primarily by men to make their female...

Taylor Swift’s Sexual Assault Testimony Was Sharp, Gutsy, and Satisfying

Taylor Swift took the stand on Thursday in a Denver federal courthouse to describe the moment in 2013 when she says she was assaulted by a then–country radio DJ in a way she “had never experienced before.” David Mueller, who was 51 to Swift’s 23 at the time, “grabbed...

This Locker Room Talk Is Not What You Think — And That's The Point

Alexis Jones spends a lot of time in locker rooms across the country, attempting to redefine manhood and invite men like college athletes into the conversation about masculinity and sexual assault. While she waits in the wings before each speech, the coach reads her...

4 Ways We Teach Boys It’s Normal To Pressure Girls Sexually

If you grew up in the United States, it is almost inevitable that you’ve been subject to a few standard aphorisms. These include things like: “Anyone can make it here if they try hard enough,” “Nothing worth having comes easy,” “Hard work pays off,” “Winners never...