Hello!
We are The Quarterback, The Musician and Radio Rebel: producers and hosts of the radio show Lovercall, right here at Fredonia. Lovercall is an anonymous late-night talk show about love, relationships and more. Students who are guests on the show use codenames to protect their identities when discussing potentially personal topics, hence the codenames of the writers of this column. This is your reminder that none of the hosts or guests are professionals, and everything stated is based on personal experiences.
“The Quarterback” is a 20-year-old cisgender man who uses he/him pronouns and is a junior at Fredonia.
“The Musician” is a 22-year-old gender-fluid person who uses they/she pronouns and is a senior at Fredonia.
“Radio Rebel” is a 21-year-old transgender man who uses he/him pronouns and is a senior at Fredonia.
On each episode, the hosts and guests of Lovercall participate in a variety of segments. The cast discusses a relevant news story, a date idea, a wacky game and a main topic for the episode.
Listeners can submit their questions or seek advice either via Fredonia Radio’s Instagram, @fredonia_radio, on YikYak or through the QR code provided in this column.
We answer your questions live on the radio, then add them to this column in case you missed the episode.
The show will broadcast weekly throughout the semester on Wednesday nights from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. on WDVL 89.5 on www.fredoniaradio.com.
This column runs in conjunction with Lovercall and can be found in print and online at fredonialeader.org.
Date idea of the week
We hope to provide fellow students with a fun and unique date idea in every episode. These date ideas aren’t just for romantic partners — you could go with your friends, classmates, or can even go solo for a fun activity in Fredonia.
For this week’s date idea, you’ll be staying home and binge-watching a TV show!
This is a great way to establish a bond with your partner, as you can find a new show to watch that you both enjoy!
You could also re-watch a series that both of you have seen, or you could show them a series you love that they’ve never seen!
Some of our guests recommended lighthearted sitcoms like “Parks and Recreation” and “Friends,” or shows that recently released new seasons like “Outer Banks” or “Arcane: League of Legends”.
The Quarterback has been a big fan of “Reba” lately, as her girlboss energy keeps him going through the tough times.
This is a great date idea as it relates to the main topic, too.
Menstruation is painful for many, sometimes reaching the point of immobility where they might not be able to get out of bed or off the couch.
With this date idea you can snuggle up with blankets, snacks, and a partner or friend and relax!
PERIOD!
On this episode we covered menstruation, what happens to the body when menstruation happens, stigmas, period products, period culture and so much more.
The definition of menstruation is the vaginal bleeding that occurs when the lining of the uterus is shed each month. It is a part of the menstruation cycle, which, on average, lasts about 28 days. It begins on the first day of the period and ends on the first day of the next period. The majority of cis women get periods in addition to some individuals assigned female at birth, some nonbinary people, and some trans men. Some cis women do not get periods at all.
On average, women tend to spend $120 per year on menstrual products, as well as an additional $20 for over-the-counter products that help subside period symptoms and pain. That’s about $5,500 that each menstruating individual has to pay in their lifetime for period products, assuming they did not buy any for anyone else. This total also excludes things like the morning-after pill, condoms and other reproductive or feminine-related items like bras and pregnancy clothing.
Period products can consist of different varieties, sizes, shapes, absorbencies and applicators such as pads, tampons, menstrual cups, menstrual discs, period underwear, birth control, panty liners, etc.
There are an uncountable amount of stigmas in period culture. Some of them include the conversation being taboo and something that should not be talked about. It is an extremely natural process and should be able to be shared and related to.
Sometimes non-period-havers think period-havers are ‘exaggerating’ or ‘making things up’ about the pain, the cost, problems, mood swings, hormonal imbalances and more. Though it’s the same process, periods affect each menstruator differently.
Another interesting perspective is that of people who do not menstruate.
Those who do not menstruate, often biological men, have never experienced a period and therefore don’t know what it’s like.
As a result, it’s often hard for them to understand what period-havers go through on a monthly basis.
Sometimes, ignorance emerges and non-menstruators end up making things worse, whether they mean to or not.
So, to help avoid this, here are some tips on how non-menstruators can be helpful!
For starters, NEVER ask someone if it’s someone’s “time of the month.”
Even if the intention is good, it is degrading to ask that question because the ‘time of the month’ can be extremely emotional, painful and confusing for menstruators. Referring to it as ‘the time of the month’ rather than the actual words “periods” or “menstruation” can carry a negative connotation, and as a result, degrade the menstruator and their experiences.
Next, do not be disgusted by periods. Menstruation is natural and 1.8 billion people menstruate each month. There is a good chance that someone you talked to today was on their period. When a menstruator explains they are on their period, the first response should not be disapproving words like “ew” or “gross.” Do not degrade someone who menstruates because they are menstruating. And yes, saying things like “ew,” “gross” and “time of the month” to the menstruator is degrading because it minimizes their experience and demonstrates the lack of knowledge and care the speaker has towards periods and period-havers.
The average menstruator tends to have a period every month from age 12 to 52. So not every single month is the menstruator willing to talk about it. When the conversation is open, however, and there is an invitation for questions, asking something like, “Do you need anything?” is enough.
College students have already been experiencing periods for about 10 years, so being overbearing is unhelpful because many know the process of managing their own cycle.
If they mention they’re in pain, and you have over-the-counter medication, offer them some. If they mention they do not have any pads or tampons, and you are able to supply them, then supply them!
Simple things like that can be helpful, but don’t overstep. If you are worried about overstepping boundaries, just ask what the boundaries are for that individual.
Learning about periods and menstruation is extremely important. Many kids are taught briefly in middle school and high school, but then leave gradeschool still lacking information. Taking your own time to research what happens during a woman’s cycle is so important, and with many regulations that are happening within the United States surrounding women’s reproductive rights, it is important now more than ever to properly educate oneself about what actually happens, instead of assuming or hearing about it from political speakers rather than doctors. Period!
Reach out! Do you want to ask the authors of Lovercolumn a question? Do you need advice? Fill out the form by using this QR code.
Interested in being a guest on Lovercall? Email wdvlonair@gmail.com or visit Fredonia Radio Systems, located in McEwen Hall 115 and open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The Quarterback,” “The Musician” and “Radio Rebel” are members of Fredonia Radio Systems and are involved in the production of Lovercall.