RE: “‘No Means No’ posters alienate men who support the cause,” March 1-7, 2012
I’d like to begin this letter by clarifying that the author of the original “‘No Means No’ posters alienate men who support the cause” piece may have confused two very important campaigns, both of which do not mention gender.
The “No Means No” campaign is a national campaign run by the Canadian Federation of Students. The “Ask First” campaign is run by Equity Services at Carleton University. The latter campaign does use the words “No Means No.”
However, they are separate from one another. Rightfully so, both campaigns promote the same message: any form of sexual activity without consent is sexual harassment, therefore ‘No Means No.’
The individual who wrote the original piece is perpetuating heteronormativity and gender binaries by running on the incorrect assumption that these campaigns alienate men; neither campaign makes mention of gender in their posters.
It is baffling that this individual can be in “strong disagreement” with the “No Means No” posters “due to their implicit message to men” when not once is there messaging suggesting that men are the sole target audience of these campaigns.
The campaigns are in place to reach all individuals and promote awareness and education surrounding sexual assault.
There is no denying the fact that sexual assault can affect anyone. However, it is proven that one in four females will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. It is also proven that gender-based violence disproportionately affects women, and it is completely insensitive to discount these facts.
These campaigns should in no way “offend men” who are knowledgeable about sexual assault and gender-based violence. Further, there are males (and folks who choose to identify outside of the gender binary, might I add) involved in groups both on and off campus working toward ending sexual and gender-based violence, and they are encouraged to continue supporting the cause.
I would encourage those questioning the “No Means No” and “Ask First” campaigns to gather further and correct information about both the intentions of the campaigns and sexual violence.
— Chantle Beeso,
CUSA vice-president (student issues),
third-year political science
