Sun's Out, Buns Out!

TRIGGER WARNING.

I've lived in New York for my whole life. One thing I can say for sure is that the summers are scorching, the winters are frigid, and people are always complaining about both. And these same people are always out, no matter what. Whether 120 or -20, there's going to be traffic on the roads, because New York doesn't sleep for anyone.

What I've noticed with the summer months coming is that people are always ready to call out another person on what they're wearing. And how they're acting. And pretty much anything they're doing. More than they would normally. And I've noticed that certain phrases - "sun's out, buns out!", etc. - are created because society is so clingy and cares so much about our sex appeal, lack thereof, and how much skin people are showing, be it too much or too little.

In my poll, when I asked, "What season do you more associate "promiscuous behavior" with?", it was a clear winner of summer. Understandably, I guess. But let's look at some actual facts and try and look at the situation of a sex-obsessed summer differently.

(Keep in mind, some of these numbers may have changed in the last few years, but within 10 years, I think we can safely assume they didn't go too far in either direction.)

As per the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2014, 55% of sexual assault happens at or near the victim's home. To me, that doesn't sound seasonally exclusive. However, according to an FBI analysis in 2012,  sexual assault as well as other crimes go up at an average of 6% during the three summer months, so you'd think that maybe promiscuity and amount of skin has something to do with it? Nope, because according to that survey, the amount of sexual assault and other crime goes up 18% than the normal average in the three winter months. There's no excuse for it at any time of the year, and the fact that people automatically think that summer fun has anything to do with our promiscuity is interesting to me.

So, maybe we view the summer as the grounds for more "promiscuous" behavior because it is one of the times of the year when we have more freedom to be ourselves and explore more safely? But maybe it's because sex is always taboo anyway, and when more skin is showing and society keeps victim-blaming, these reports are only jumping when the victim can safely assume nobody is telling them that their exposed skin was instigating someone... in -10 degree weather...

Tea.

The definition of promiscuous says: *derogatory* - "having or characterized by many transient sexual relationships". I don't understand how more promiscuous behavior can't happen all year round. I don't understand why the word "promiscuous" is marked in the dictionary as a derogatory term. I don't understand why the summer eliciting "easier access" clothing (because maybe it's fucking HOT outside) means that automatically someone is going to want to access it. Even though I personally go a little bit crazy in the summer, I have never attributed that to the way I dress. And anything sexual that I have not consented to, I also cannot attribute that to the way that I dress. I can be in the same environment with the same people and dress whatever way to accommodate whatever weather is happening. My libido and sexual experiences is only affected by the people.

And personally, I love winter. I feel I can be my true self. I don't need to worry about any extra sweat, except for what's warranted by that AWFUL promiscuity I thrive on. I don't need to worry about being too close, because the cold makes snuggles an incredible viable option to keep warm. But I mean, nighttime swims in the summer? Intimate as heck, and can get you real horny if you're swimming with the right one. In my humble opinion.

I implore you to do some new thinking as we go into summer: leave humans alone! I'm gonna have sex no matter what season, and we all know a wonderful self-proclaimed slut like me who never lets weather stop her from doing what she wants! But please keep in mind that in the months of the year where more skin is showing, that does NOT give you an excuse to do anything without that sweet sexy consent. And during the months of the year when LESS skin is showing, guess what? You still need consent! Wow!!!

Our generation is obsessed with summertime. Keep it that way. Be who you need to be. Enjoy the weather. And be safe, Pineapple Peeps!