DAN ORZECHOWSKI
News Editor
Last Wednesday night, a flyer warning people to avoid Sunny’s was found in a bathroom at University Commons.
Sunny’s, a bar located in downtown Fredonia, held an event on Valentine’s Day where attendees were encouraged to bring and shred pictures of their exes.
The flyer posted in UC warned readers about the DJ playing at Sunny’s, who was referred to as an “exploitative predator.” The flyer continued by saying the DJ’s fans “sponsor rape culture” and that some students at Fredonia were about to utilize the event to “take advantage of intoxicated people without consent.”
Fredonia Feminists, a group on campus that fights for gender equality, posted a picture of the flyer while telling followers to be careful that night.
“We did not create the flyer,” said Anneliese Bienko, senior social work major and president of Fredonia Feminists. “One of our members found it in the bathroom and we simply posted it as we thought it was an important thing for students to at least be aware of.”
A Twitter user who goes by DJ Exposure replied to the post made by Fredonia Feminists and said he was the DJ that night.
“I’m the DJ tonight and have never supported rape culture in my life. I feel violated that you would try ruining my image with your false accusations. Very disappointing,” said the Twitter user.
Bienko explained that the flyer had mistaken DJ Exposure for the host of the party, who goes by Kirill, a.k.a. The Slut Whisperer.
Earlier in the week, separate flyers that advertised the Valentine’s Day event (which featured a picture of Kirill) were posted without the approval of Campus Life in multiple residence halls on campus. It’s unclear who posted either flyers.
According to Bienko, Fredonia Feminists had not heard of the Slut Whisperer, but after doing some research, the group found his words and actions to be contributing to “rape culture.”
Kirill’s social media accounts feature him pouring champagne on women and writing on their breasts.
“I used to make fun of feminists by calling them fat. But honestly, I’ve had way more fun partying with fat girls than dealing with stuck up skinny bitches whose idea of feminism is making tea out of their period blood instead of actually helping other women,” he said in a tweet posted on Valentine’s Day.
“Rape culture is a term we use to describe the attitudes surrounding sexual violence and how it’s become normalized in our society instead of something punishable,” said Bienko.
Rape jokes, saying “boys will be boys,” policing people’s clothing, not believing people when they’ve said they’ve been violated, catcalling and the objectification of women in the media are all examples Bienko gave of rape culture.
Kirill, who describes himself on his Facebook page as a photographer who is “as recognizable as the celebrities that he shoots,” declined to comment.
The Leader was unable to reach Sunny’s for a comment.
