If you’re looking to spice up your love life, November is the month. As part of its campaign against sexual assault and domestic violence, Alliance of Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP) has organized November Been Kissed, a month of programming aimed at promoting healthy relationships.
Unlike Date Month in previous years, each week this month’s program is dedicated to a different stage of a romantic relationship. This past week was dedicated to meeting new people. Next week’s events will explore the ins and outs of hooking up and how to navigate no-strings-attached relationships. The week of November 17 will be based on “DTR”: defining the relationship, and when and how to do this. Finally, the week of the 24th will explore what comes next—the break-up, the make-up, the long-distance and then the long-term relationships.
“These changes [from last year] reflect how different people define relationships differently,” said Molly Rose ’15. “We are hoping to destroy stereotypes and strengthen the belief that there is no right or wrong way of dating.”
Rose, Jackie Fickes ’15 and Kaylee Wolfe ’15 are the leaders of ASAP and have planned November’s events.
“We are trying to emphasize that it doesn’t matter what type of relationship you choose to pursue, as long as it is healthy and both people are happy,” said Fickes. “Last year was focused on getting people to know each other in one-on-one settings, whereas this year we are expanding to show all the stages a relationship can experience, not just the initial.”
The first event of the month took place in Jack Magee’s Pub and Grill on Tuesday evening, where students mingled over games of Jenga and Catchphrase. Next up is the Masquerade Ball at Ladd House on Friday night.
“There will be a cocktail hour and hors d’oeuvres, and we hope it will encourage people to look beneath the surface when getting to know people,” said Rose.
In past years, Date Month has been received positively by students, and ASAP is hoping to replicate this with November Been Kissed. In addition to the events on campus, local restaurants will be offering discounts to Bowdoin students for the month.
“We are working hard to promote November Been Kissed, as it is promoting healthy relationships,” said Fickes. “Anything promoting healthy relationships is the antithesis of sexual assault and violent relationships.”